Ford Performance has once again showcased its prowess at the legendary Finke Desert Race, with the Ranger Raptor securing its second consecutive victory in the Production 4WD class. Clocking in at an impressive five hours, fifty-eight minutes, and twenty-three seconds (5:58:23), this win further cements the Ranger Raptor’s reputation as a top-tier off-road beast.
Driven by the dynamic duo Brad and Byam Lovell, the #773 Ranger Raptor was the only vehicle in its class to finish both legs of the grueling 2024 event. This year’s race threw everything at the competitors, from the rugged Aussie Outback terrain to mechanical challenges that tested the limits of both man and machine. Despite these obstacles, the Ranger Raptor proved its mettle, showcasing the same robust engineering that has impressed us on countless 4X4 trips.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, highlighted the vehicle’s impressive durability: “Winning the Finke Desert Race in the Production 4WD class two years in a row shows just how good the road-going Ranger Raptor is. Designed and engineered in Australia, the Ranger Raptor faced the most extreme challenges and came out on top. The entire team showed incredible grit and determination to bounce back and secure a strong result.”
The journey from Alice Springs to Aputula (Finke) and back was no walk in the park. The Ranger Raptor set a scorching early pace, overtaking its key rival 55 kilometers into the race after starting three minutes behind. However, the rugged conditions led to a significant challenge with a broken left-rear suspension. Remarkably, Brad and Byam drove the final 130 km of the first leg with this issue, still managing to finish five minutes faster than in 2023.
“The run to Finke from Alice Springs was extremely testing, but we knew early on we had the pace required to win if we played our cards right,” said Brad Lovell. “Starting the second day, the pressure was on, and we had a job to do chasing down the Chevy guys. We made great pace as soon as we started, with the Ranger Raptor running flawlessly.”
The 2024 Finke Desert Race presented harsher terrain than previous years, with rain leading up to the event creating heavily cut-up ruts and iconic whoops that tested the production-based racer’s stock engine, transmission, and suspension harder than ever before. Despite these conditions, the Ranger Raptor proved its capability, highlighting the vehicle’s superior design and engineering.
Justin Capicchiano, Ford Performance and Special Vehicles Engineering Manager, Australia, expressed his pride in the team: “I couldn’t be prouder of the team. We had the best people possible with us at Finke, with the powertrain, suspension, and steering engineers for the Ranger Raptor part of the crew. Along with the mechanics from Walkinshaw Performance, we were able to bounce back from a challenging run on the first day to secure back-to-back victory.”
The Ford Ranger Raptor’s success at Finke is not just a win for the team but also a testament to the vehicle’s exceptional build quality and performance. The lessons learned from this race will directly feed into the development of future high-performance off-road products that customers will be able to drive straight off the showroom floor.
With vehicle servicing, event management, and logistical support provided by Walkinshaw Performance, and engineering support from US-based off-road specialists Huseman Engineering, Ford Performance has shown that the Ranger Raptor is a formidable force in the off-road racing world.
As we reflect on this incredible achievement, it’s clear that the Ranger Raptor is more than just another dual-cab 4X4; it’s a testament to innovation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. We’ve seen firsthand the capabilities of the Ranger Raptor on our own 4X4 trips, and this victory only reinforces our admiration for this remarkable vehicle.
