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Ford Ranger Raptor Returns To Tatts Finke Desert Race To Defend Title
Ford Performance is set to return to Alice Springs next month to defend its class title at the 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race. Off-road racing hall of famer Brad Lovell will drive the same Ranger Raptor that secured victories in the 2023 Finke Desert Race and the 2022 SCORE-International Baja 1000, alongside his son and co-driver Byam Lovell.
The Lovells' previous victory in the Production 4WD class saw them complete the race in 5 hours, 56 minutes, and 30 seconds, including a record-breaking run from Apatula to Alice Springs in 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 18 seconds. This year, the Ford Performance team has made several upgrades to the race truck to enhance its performance for the 2024 event.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, stated, "The Ranger Raptor is Ford Performance’s global off-road racing platform. We are proud to return to the vehicle’s spiritual homeland of the Aussie Outback to defend our 2023 victory." Despite improvements, the race truck retains its core engine, transmission, and suspension components from the road-going Ranger Raptor.
With a year of experience at Finke under their belts, Brad and Byam Lovell are eager to retain their class title. "The Finke Desert Race is truly unique, with a challenging combination of high speeds and seriously massive whoops," said Brad Lovell. "I’m looking forward to facing off against a stronger field of competitors this year and showing what the Ranger Raptor is capable of."
Support and Technical Enhancements
Walkinshaw Performance will once again provide vehicle servicing, event management, and logistical support for Ford Performance. Engineering support will come from US-based off-road specialists Huseman Engineering. The changes made for this year’s event focus on improving performance at higher speeds by reducing weight and optimising suspension calibrations.
The Ranger Raptor race truck retains the same suspension hardware and electronics as the standard road-going vehicle but features a new Finke-specific damper calibration. Justin Capicchiano, Ford Performance and Special Vehicles Engineering Manager in Australia, commented on the challenge ahead: "Last year we came close to securing the overall class record. This year we return against a strong set of new competitors."
Race Details
The Finke Desert Race is Australia’s toughest off-road endurance race, covering over 460 kilometres between Alice Springs and Aputula (Finke). The event will take place from June 7-10.
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