The second generation Ford Raptor is going off-road racing in the 2016 Best in the Desert series. There is a new factory stock class, and the Raptor is entering with minimal race-ready modifications.
The race truck uses the production chassis, the Raptor-specific 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, 10-speed automatic transmission, and torque-on-demand 4×4 transfer case. Ford is still not releasing the official power output figures for the Raptor’s turbocharged V6. Still, race-goers will be able to hear the full sound of the new motor as it exhales through the production dual exhaust system.
The race-specific Raptor modifications include:
- Race-tuned three-inch-diameter Fox Racing Shox with external bypass all the way around.
- Race-tuned front and rear springs that provide a lift for added ground clearance.
- Roll cage.
- MasterCraft off-road seats with five-point harnesses and window nets.
- LED light bar up front, racing fuel cell, Lowrance GPS system, RacePak digital dash and data logger.
Although the interior has many race-specific additions, the truck still has a mostly stock look and feel with the center stack, climate controls, and even a trailer backup assist.
The first race is this weekend (Fen 4 – 7th) in Parker Arizona. Here is the full 2016 Best in the Desert race schedule.
- Parker 425, Parker, Arizona, Feb. 4-7
- Mint 400, Las Vegas, March 10-14
- Laughlin Desert Classic, Laughlin, Nevada, May 5
- Vegas to Reno, Nevada, Aug. 17-20
- Bluewater Challenge, Parker, Arizona, Sept. 10-Oct. 6
- Pahrump Nugget 250, Pahrump, Nevada, Dec. 1-4
Here is the latest information about the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew from the 2016 Detroit Auto Show.