Updated 10:45 AM,Jun 21,2023
Ford Ranger, specially designed for racing, will participate in a series of global off-road rallies in 2024, including the renowned Dakar Rally.
Ford Performance has competed in and won numerous international racing series, such as Le Mans, Monaco, Daytona, and Bathurst. However, it has not yet taken part in one of the world’s toughest competitions—the famed Dakar Rally.
The first step in Ford’s multi-year strategy is to compete in the Dakar Rally, leveraging collaboration with long-time partners M-Sport and NWM to develop vehicles, ensure maintenance, and manage events.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, said: "Participating in the Dakar Rally—one of the most prestigious off-road events worldwide—has always been a key goal for us. We fully recognize the immense challenge ahead, but our priority is completing the rally successfully. Through our experience developing the Ranger T1+ race car and working alongside partners like M-Sport and NWM, we can maximize their expertise. Together, we aim to achieve remarkable results on the dunes of the Arabian Peninsula."
Ford’s high-performance, race-tuned Ranger will take part in the 2024 Dakar Rally, scheduled from January 5 to 19 in Saudi Arabia, competing in the Rally Raid T1+ category.
The joint team of Ford Performance, M-Sport, and NWM has worked through several stages up to 2023 to develop and unveil the NWM Ranger T1+. The vehicle is based on the previous generation of the global Ranger model equipped with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Experimental races are expected in Spain’s Baja event in July and the Morocco Rally in October, paving the way for the official Dakar Rally participation next year.
Rushbrook added: "Our debut at the Dakar Rally will be an educational journey that helps shape our future competitive approach. As with every race, we’re not only aiming for victory but also using the experience to develop better products for our customers."
For the 2025 Dakar Rally, Ford Performance confirmed it is collaborating with M-Sport to develop an entirely new Ranger Raptor, specifically engineered to meet the T1+ regulations of the Dakar Rally.
Malcolm Wilson, Managing Director of M-Sport, said: "The Dakar Rally stands among the most significant off-road events globally. Over the years, we’ve achieved great success with Ford in the FIA World Rally Championship, and we’re excited to bring the same level of focus, energy, and dedication to the Ranger’s entry into Dakar."
Notably, M-Sport is a leading developer and key contributor in creating the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, which competes in the FIA World Rally Championship, and also plays a major role in the Mustang GT3 program. Meanwhile, NWM has played a central role since the beginning of the Ranger Rally-Raid development, designing and manufacturing these vehicles at its facility in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring they are tailored for competition in the T1+ class of the Dakar Rally, as well as other global Rally-Raid events.
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