2016 Ford F-150 Raptor Baja 1000 racing truck
The Baja 1000 is one of the most punishing races in the world. It’s also the breeding ground for Ford Motor Company’s [NYSE:F] F-150 Raptor pickup trucks, with early mules often entered into the grueling off-road race during development.
Thanks to this tough regime, the Raptor can successfully challenge class rivals in the Baja 1000 in virtually stock form. To demonstrate this, Ford is teaming up with Greg Foutz Motorsports, led by four-time Baja 1000 winner Greg Foutz, to field a 2017 Raptor in the 2016 Baja 1000, which runs November 16-20.
Foutz has run the Raptor in several Best in the Desert events in 2016, including the most recent 645-mile General Tire Vegas to Reno race in August, and says it’s the most production-based truck he’s ever raced. In fact, the only modifications made are for safety.
2016 Ford F-150 Raptor Baja 1000 racing truck
For example, the Foutz Motorsports team only had to add a chromalloy steel safety cage, puncture-resistant fuel cell, racing seats, and LED lighting package. The factory-spec springs and Fox Racing shocks were also revised to accommodate the added weight from the safety cage and fuel cell.
Otherwise, everything is stock, including the 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, 10-speed automatic transmission, and BFGoodrich K02 tires.
The Baja 1000 F-150 Raptor is on display this week at the 2016 SEMA show. For our complete coverage on the event, head to our dedicated hub.
