Four-time Dakar winner and rally legend Carlos Sainz will drive the Ford Raptor T1+ in the 2025 Dakar Rally.
Ford is all-set to make its Dakar Rally debut next year and it will be gunning for victory with a specially-prepared Raptor. Revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Raptor T1+ will make its competitive debut later this year.
- Ford to make Dakar debut next year, in the T1+ category
- Carlos Sainz, Nani Roma confirmed to drive
- Raptor T1+ gets 5.0-litre Coyote-based V8
Carlos Sainz’ new Dakar challenger
Ford is going all-out for its maiden Dakar outing in January next year and will be fielding four trucks. One of these will be driven by four-time Dakar winner and rally legend Carlos Sainz. Another Raptor T1+ will be piloted by Nani Roma – one of only three racers in Dakar history to have won on two wheels and four. The remaining drivers will be announced later this year.
The Raptor T1+ is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine, based on the popular Coyote, fitted with a dry-sump oil system. Ford hasn’t revealed any performance details just yet, but it has confirmed the off-roader has a minimum weight of 2,010kg, a width of 2,300mm and 400mm of ground clearance.
The truck itself is built in collaboration with long-time Ford partner M-Sport, and it features a front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension built by Fox.
Ford Raptor T1+ to make competitive debut at Baja Hungary
To prepare for its Dakar debut, Ford will enter one Raptor T1+ in the 2024 Baja Hungary on August 8-10. Following this, two crews will compete in the 2024 Rallye du Maroc on October 4-11. The rally is famously known for mirroring the tough conditions of Dakar and will serve as the final testing ground for the Ford Raptor T1+.
“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.
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.”
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