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Ford Performance will put its all-new, EcoBoost-powered 2017 Raptor to the ultimate endurance test later this month as it competes the 49th annual SCORE Baja 1000 off-road endurance race. Four-time Baja 1000 winner Greg Foutz will pilot the latest truck in the race and it won’t be too far removed from the truck you can buy.
“We take what we learn in off-road competition with a factory stock truck to further refine our design and engineering attributes,” Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer, said.
Fielded by four time winner Greg Foutz, the 2017 F-150 Raptor will compete in the 49th running of the SCORE Baja 1000 held from November 16-20, 2016. (Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company)
Both are powered by an EcoBoost 3.5-liter engine pounding out 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, but the race version of the truck will feature several upgrades to meet SCORE rules, including a chromalloy steel safety cage, a puncture-resistant fuel cell, racing seats, a full racing harness, and LED lighting courtesy of Rigid Industries.
“The stock engine, transmission and powertrain calibrations are phenomenal,” Greg said. “Suspension-wise, everything else—including its wheels and BFGoodrich K02 tires—is carried over from the 2017 production model.”
Naturally, engineers also selected springs and Fox Racing shocks tuned for the grueling race and the additional weight of the safety equipment.
Ford looks to best the Baja 1000 showing of the previous Raptor generation, which completed the race in third place in Class 8. It covered the 631-mile race in 25 hours, 28 minutes and 10 seconds. (Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company)
“There are an extra two inches of wheel travel, plus the all-new 10-speed transmission never has to hunt for the right gear,” Greg added. “The new Baja mode keeps the turbo spooled up—it’s miles better than the previous off-road mode.”
Greg will put those new features to the test during the race, which is held from Nov. 16-20. If you happen to be in Las Vegas for The SEMA Show, the Greg Foutz Racing Raptor will be on display there.
