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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R completes inaugural run of Baja 1000
When Ford developed the F-150 SVT Raptor R, the Blue Oval wanted to make sure that it could offer the ultimate in off-road performance. We were pretty much sold after experiencing the truck in the Nevada desert, but Ford wanted to prove the Raptor's capabilities to the world. So Ford entered a modified version of the truck into the Baja 1000, confident that the race-ready Raptor could hold its own in the 631-mile competition. The SVT team entered with realistic expectations, hoping to simply finish a race that has a knack for providing unexpected challenges at every turn. Mission: accomplished. The SVT Raptor not only crossed the finish line, but it did so with flying colors by finishing third in the Class 8 division. This is especially impressive considering the Raptor is built for the lower-level Stock Full class in which it couldn't compete because the production version is not yet for sale. For more details you can check out PickupTrucks.com's live blog of the race, and we've also posted a short video of the SVT Raptor in action, along with the press release, after the jump.
Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R
[Source: Ford]
New Ford Raptor Driving @ 2008 Baja 1000
PRESS RELEASE:
ENSENADA, MEXICO, Nov. 25, 2008 – The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck, based on the production version of the upcoming 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, survived the grueling 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, finishing the 631 mile race in 25:28:10.
Considered one of the toughest off-road races in the world, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck that participated in the Baja 1000 was a collaboration between the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT), Ford Racing, and Foutz Motorsports Inc. The pickup was entered into the race to test the durability and performance of the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, which goes on sale in the summer of 2009.
"We engineered the F-150 SVT Raptor to be the best high-speed off-road performance truck available right off the showroom floor, and finishing the Baja 1000 proves this," stated Jamal Hameedi, SVT's Chief Nameplate Engineer. "Now we need to analyze all the engineering data from the race and apply lessons learned to the production truck, ensuring that the truck delivered to customers exceeds their expectations."
Prepared for racing in long distance off-road endurance events, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R uses stock components of F-150 SVT Raptor, including the transmission, brakes and axles. The frame - the part of the truck that will take the most stress - is the same proven fully boxed frame that delivers class-leading towing and hauling in the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 that went on sale in October. The Raptor race truck is powered by a specially-calibrated version of the available 6.2-liter V-8 engine, making 500-horsepower.
Even if the typical Ford customer will not be putting their truck through the punishing paces of the Baja 1000, the point is, they could.
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R in the Baja 1000 also served as a test bed for the development of a lineup of race-proven, desert-tested, off-road performance parts that will be available through the Ford Racing catalog.
"This was very exciting for all involved," said Jamie Allison, sales and marketing manager for Ford Racing. "Even with the extreme capability of the F-150 SVT Raptor right out of the box, we know our customers will want to take its performance to an even higher level. This race truck will be invaluable to Ford Racing as we examine what performance parts we'll be able to offer customers for the production Raptor."
Ford brought some of the best stock class off-road truck drivers together to drive the F-150 SVT Raptor R in the Baja 1000. Drivers of record were Steve Olliges, Randy Merritt, Greg Foutz, Bud Brutsman, and SVT Vehicle Development Engineer Gene Martindale.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Frank 7:09PM (11/25/2008)
Awesome. I heard the Ridgeline made it too but it was more heavily modified then the FORD. I think I want a new truck. FORD is in really good shape better then GM/Chrysler. KUDOS FORD!!!!!!!!!
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510SSS 8:18PM (11/25/2008)
Nope this is not correct.
The Ford (Class 8) is in a completely different class than the Ridgeline (Stock Mini). Stock Mini has fairly strict regulations regarding modifications to the suspension and frame. The Ford had ridiculously modified suspension and frame. Last I knew modified A arms and uprights do not meet stock rules.
Conundrum 9:56PM (11/25/2008)
Hummer H-3 was the first COMPLETELY stock truck to finish the BAJA if I am no mistaken.
I want to see a purely stock Raptor and a purely stock Ridgeline run the race side by side. Now that could be interesting!
Randy 1:35PM (11/26/2008)
@510SSS
"last I knew"
When was that and where did you hear it? Just wondering!
510SSS 6:07PM (11/26/2008)
SCORE regulations. I have chased for Stock Mini, my buddies continue to race in the class. No mods to uprights/A arms or suspension pick up points. You may add a second shock mount to the lower A-arm. Do you have another interpretation of the rules? It could make things allot easier.
arturo 7:21PM (11/25/2008)
Ford is my favorite brand or the one that one day I will afford. kudos to Ford.
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arturo 7:22PM (11/25/2008)
I like the v8 sounds this truck emits.
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Kawasaki ATV 7:54PM (11/25/2008)
That truck is sick! Great looks and awesome sounding, I'd love to have one of these.
http://www.kawasakiatvforums.com
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elpepe 7:59PM (11/25/2008)
I love this truck. But since they entered a MODIFIED version of the truck, this race proves absolutely nothing. If they wanted to prove something they should have entered it stock.
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Stuka 8:08PM (11/25/2008)
Did you READ the article?! They were not allowed to enter into the stock class because the truck is not for sale yet. And in order to compete in Class 8 you need certain things like roll bars and such. You have to pass inspection before competing.
jim 8:27PM (11/25/2008)
Stock class is required to have roll bars....
elpepe 9:51PM (11/25/2008)
roll bars nobody cares about and it's obviously not what I'm talking about. I read before that they changed the suspension and increased its travel compared to stock. So what's the point then?...I can modify a yugo to race in baja as well but it doesn't prove much either. To make a real point they should have stuck to stock.
John P. 8:02PM (11/25/2008)
This is Great News! Seriously, if I had the cash, there'd be one in my drive-way the day it's available. I do wonder if possibly Ford might've been just a few years late with this vehicle. But either way, It's Awesome.
Congrats Ford!
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eric 8:15PM (11/25/2008)
@elpepe- did you read the article. They could not enter it because it is not yet for sale. They had to make some modifications to be able to compete in one of the class's. I looked at the truck while i was down there. It was impressive. I might have to take a better look when they become availible. I think it could have finished in the stock class for sure.
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bob 8:23PM (11/25/2008)
Did you see the uprights and A-arms? Not exactly stock looking. The limitations of stock suspension components is what makes the stock class so challenging. I think it would be a whole different race if they didn't have the setup they had.
Stuka 8:29PM (11/25/2008)
@bob: Stock looking compared to a standard F150, or compared to the F150 Raptor photos that were shown here previously? The Raptor uses different A-Arms than a regular F150.
bob 9:39PM (11/25/2008)
I am comparing the two images from the galleries on autoblog.
First shots:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-ford-f-150-svt-raptor/1135072/
Second shots:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-r/1135505/
I guess the difference is between an R and a regular Raptor. How many R models does Ford intend to make. It then becomes a issue regarding homologation and the quantities SCORE would classify as production.
These images do raise a question. What is a Class 8 2wd truck doing with front drive shafts?
dac 9:14PM (11/25/2008)
Not stock, but still impressive. Getting 500hp out of the 6.2L should not be difficult and it seems like the major components weren't changed from the Raptor.
This is shaping up to be a great truck. A competent off-roader makes so much more sense than the Lightning.
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why not the LS2LS7? 9:47PM (11/25/2008)
Congrats Ford.
I know people are nibbling about over the config of the vehicle. But it did meet the specs for Class 8 and took 3rd (out of 11 starters, 8 finishers), so kudos to them. It may not have been stock config, but it had the same restrictions as its competitors and it bested most of them.
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Nick 10:20PM (11/25/2008)
Not completely correct. The H3 Alpha was the first stock class vehicle to finish the race, piloted by Chad Hall. Nothing in the stock class is completely stock, as you'd fry the shocks within a couple hundred miles of Baja race conditions.
The H3 uses Fox Resevoir shocks, roll cage, race seats and safety fuel cell, similar to all of the other stock class vehicles. However, the powertrain is fully stock, so it gives up horsepower to the other full-stock class vehicles. Though unlike any of the other stock trucks, it only had one flat tire through the whole race. This is the second consecutive Baja where the H3 Alpha was the first stock class vehicle to finish. Hall won the full stock season championship with the H3 Alpha and Rod Hall won the mini stock season championship with the H3 (I-5).