Ford Prepares New Raptor for Dakar Rally

The intense off-road Dakar Rally is approaching, and with such a grueling race ahead, Ford Performance has been hard at work, enlisting some of the best minds in off-road racing to help design and engineer the latest in a long line of amazing racing vehicles– the new Ford Raptor T1+.

The Raptor T1+ was crafted in collaboration between Ford Performance and long-time partners M-Sport Ltd. to be the pinnacle of what a Raptor can be in terms of design and capability. Delivering an advanced suspension, V8 performance, and purpose-built design, it’s equipped to conquer the most punishing of rally raid terrains. The truck will be debuting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“Taking on such a demanding race like Dakar is a daunting task for all of us at Ford Performance, but we have never shirked a challenge,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “To embrace this challenge, we have partnered with the best in the world with M-Sport and Red Bull and I think it shows how seriously we are taking this project. The Ford Raptor T1+ is a stake in the ground for our global off-road vision – we want to take on the best and prove ourselves in the toughest places on earth. The lessons we are learning from Raptor T1+, along with competing with stock trucks in Baja 1000 and Finke Desert Race, will help make Raptor vehicles even better for our customers.”

Four teams of drivers and navigators will handle the new Ford Raptor T1+ at its debut, including rally drivers Carlos Sainz Sr. with navigator Lucas Cruz, and Nani Roma with navigator Alex Haro. Additional information on other teams of drivers will become available later in the year.

“This is the kind of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime – to support Ford Performance as they head to Dakar with this new Ford Raptor T1+ is going to be an incredible adventure,” said Matt Wilson, M-Sport director and Dakar team manager. “We have already completed 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) of testing in some of the harshest conditions we could find so we feel ready to take on this ultimate challenge starting at Baja Hungary next month.”

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be the first chance for fans to set eyes on the Raptor T1+ in person, with the vehicle making its grand entrance on July 12th at 11 a.m. in the Ballroom Paddock. The truck will be at 2024 Baja Hungary in August, 2024 Rallye du Maroc in October, and in the 2025 Dakar Rally in January of 2025. Make sure to stay tuned and continue reading our blog here at Keller Brothers Ford for the latest information!