The all-new, 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is such an indefatigable performance machine that it can race in the infamous Baja 1000 off-road race with almost nil in the way of modifications.
That’s the message that Ford is trying to send by campaigning one essentially-stock F-150 Raptor in the 49th running of the SCORE Baja 1000, which takes place from November 16th through the 20th. Before then, the truck is being shown to the public at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where showgoers will be able to see for themselves the handful of modest changes made to the truck.
These changes are mostly limited to race safety equipment: a puncture-resistant fuel cell, racing seats with harnesses, chromalloy steel safety cage, and Rigid Industries LED lighting (this is an off-road race, after all). Ford says the F-150 Raptor’s factory springs and shocks were revised to support the extra weight from the safety cage and fuel cell. However, the truck’s aluminum-alloy body, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, and stock drivetrain have all been left untouched.
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor race truck will be driven at the 49th SCORE Baja 1000 by Greg Foutz – a four-time Baja winner. According to him, it’s the closest-to-production race truck he’s ever driven. “The stock engine, transmission and powertrain calibrations are phenomenal,” says Foutz. “Suspension-wise, everything else – including its wheels and BFGoodrich K02 tires – is carried over from the 2017 production model.”
Be sure to check out the new Ford F-150 Raptor race truck in person, if you’re able, at the 2016 SEMA Show.
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