FORD RAPTOR IN PARKER 425 THIS WEEKEND!
UPDATED TODAY, Friday February 6, 2009
"The truck will be driven by veteran Ford truck racers and former “Rough Riders” Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges. Both the drivers, Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges have impressive racing record. They have won numerous off-roading championships. Their winning streak shows, MacCachren has won over 100 events and 15 championships in his career. Olliges has 30 class wins as well as seven off-road championships. Both, MacCachren and Olliges, have also won their respective classes in the prestigious Baja 1000 during their careers. It is a privately funded team that will run all five points races for 2009 in the Raptor R in order to test the durability of the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor and its production components.F-150 SVT Raptor R is made for racing in off-road endurance events. The truck promises the toughness and durability in its components, including the stock fully boxed frame. The truck is powered by a modified and calibrated 500 horsepower version of the production 6.2-liter V-8 engine and is mounted to a production-spec six-speed automatic F-150 transmission.
“This is a great opportunity for everyone involved in the Raptor program to get more real-time data on how the truck performs in the most extreme conditions,” stated Cliff Irey, Manager of truck motorsports for Ford Racing Technology. He further added “We need to push the truck harder than we'd ever expect our customers would to ensure that the production F-150 SVT Raptor is the ultimate factory-available high-speed off-road truck.”
The F-150 SVT Raptor is a distinction and different from other truck available in the market. The F-150 SVT Raptor will be available this summer with dynamic features to add to its appeal, which include a Flex Fuel 5.4-liter V-8 engine making 320hp, 390 ft.-lbs. of torque, and a six-speed automatic transmission. It also has electronically selectable four-wheel drive system and an E-locker rear differential. It helps to lock the truck even at high speeds. Raptor will be also available at the dealership with an all-new 6.2-liter V-8 early next year."
"Following the recent unveiling of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the success of the Raptor R at the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, Ford is entering the Raptor R in the 2009 “Best in the Desert” race series, at the 2009 Parker 425.
Ford engineers are using the race as an opportunity to “continue extreme durability testing of production components.” Unlike many other off-road race trucks, the majority of the Raptor R doesn’t differ from the production vehicle. Engineers also plan on testing possible performance accessories before offering them to the general public.
The Raptor R is powered by the same 6.2-liter V-8 that becomes available on the stock truck early next year. To make the truck more competitive, power has been boosted from around 400 hp to 500 hp. The Raptor R uses an unmodified production six-speed automatic transmission to transmit the power to the ground. The Raptor R’s traction is aided by the same electronically-selectable four-wheel drive system with an E-locker rear differential.
When the 2009 Best in the Desert Race Series commences, the Raptor R will be driven by Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges, both of whom have won their respective classes in the Baja 1000 during their careers."
Celebrity drivers have been mentioned to drive through the series.
Some of the finer details: "Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) taps into growing off-road enthusiast market and builds on the solid foundation of the new Ford F-150 to deliver the ultimate off-road performance truck - the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Industry-first internal bypass shocks by Fox Racing Shox help provide smooth ride; lower, wider design key to desert racing and off-road performance The F-150 SVT Raptor launches with the proven 5.4-liter Triton V-8 with 310 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft of torque; a 6.2-liter V-8 engine will be available after launch. "Ford trucks have been a mainstay on the off-road racing scene for more that 20 years because of our long history of capability and durability," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president for Global Product Development. "With the F-150 SVT Raptor, we are delivering a true off-road performance truck with the proven 'Built Ford Tough' capability and durability that is at the core of every F-150 and the best in performance thanks to the team at SVT." "Like its fighter jet and dinosaur namesakes, the F-150 SVT Raptor is tough, fast, aggressive, and built with the off-road enthusiast in mind," he added. Ford and off-road racing Desert off-road racing is something Ford knows and does well, with eight championships in nine divisions in the 2007 "Best In The Desert" series and four more titles in CORR (Championship Off Road Racing). Ford has also shown its dominance at the Baja 1000 race - 12 Ford-power have won the overall title for four-wheel vehicles, the most of any engine manufacturer." CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND MORE RAPTOR PICTURES OFF-ROAD 1.com