Ford Performance, together with M-Sport, will be taking on the challenge of the 2024 Dakar Rally which starts on January 1. The team has completed preparations of a Ranger which has all the necessary equipment to endure 7,891 kms of desert, of which 4,727 kms will be over competition stages.
The purpose-built Ranger will compete in the Rally Raid T1+ class, spearheading the expansion of Ford Performance global off-road racing in coming years. The Ranger T1+ is based on the previous generation Ranger with a 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine. It has been developed jointly by Ford Performance, M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport.
The team will be using the 14-day event to gain more experience for developing a Ranger Raptor to enter the 2025 Dakar Rally.
“To lead the charge at one of the ultimate global off-road events – the Dakar Rally – has been a goal of ours,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “We cannot underestimate the enormity of the challenge ahead of us. We need to finish and learn first with Ranger T1+. With partners like M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport, who bring their expertise to bear, we can do amazing things in the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula.”
“The Dakar Rally is truly among the pinnacle of global off-road racing events,” added Malcolm Wilson, M-Sport Managing Director. “We’ve achieved great success over the years with Ford in the FIA World Rally Championship and can’t wait to apply this same level of focus, energy and effort to competing with Ranger in Dakar.”
To know more about the latest Ranger and Ranger Raptor, visit www.sdacford.com.my.
