Finke - Australia's Greatest Desert Race

FORD RANGER RAPTOR PROVES IT IS TOUGH AS FINKE, CONQUERING THE CHALLENGING FINKE DESERT RACE

The Aussie-built, Ford Performance Ranger Raptor race-truck has taken a strong class victory at the 2024 Finke Desert Race, with Brad and Byam Lovell winning the Production 4WD class in Alice Springs.

Driver: Brad Lovell (left)
Nav: Byam Lovell (right)

The 2022 built truck started it’s life in Australia as a temporary transit vehicle used by the product development team in engineering Raptor. Being used early on as a prototype for media drives, it was then sent to world renowned racing driver Todd Kelly and his team for it to be transformed into a race truck. Following this, it was sent state side to Huseman Engineering for ‘Baja proofing’ before retuning to it’s homeland ready for the 2022 Baja 1000 in Mexico.

Since them, the individual chassis has remained, with the same vehicle completing the Baja 100, then Finke in 2023 and now Finke again in 2024.

The Baja / Finke ready Raptor isn’t that different from your factory specification 3.0l V6. The race spec truck uses the same engine and powertrain (400hp - non limited in 🇦🇺), 10-speed auto transmission has also been used with stock internal parts and calibrations, standard FOX Shocks with Live Valve Technology functionality. Brake discs and callipers are also standard but high-temperature brake pads have been fitted, and DOT4 racing brake fluid has been used for better race performance. ABS, DSC, Sync 4, front & rear locking diffs, exterior cameras as well as climate control are also all the same as your road setup Raptor.
Some components have been changed or added however, mainly safety compliance devices such as Motorsport Australia, FIA and SCORE standard safety cage, on board fire extinguishing system, auxiliary lighting and GPS systems.