Ford’s 2017 F-150 Raptor race truck has survived its first Best in the Desert Mint 400 off-road race.
The pickup was the only entry competing in the factory stock class for full-size trucks, making it the first such vehicle to finish a race in the class. It was one of only 19 teams in the limited group to finish the 2016 race, out of a total of 68 entries.
Piloted by Greg Foutz and Tim Casey, the Raptor finished 23rd overall in a field of nine different classes. The team completed two laps in just under nine hours and ten minutes. The unlimited-class winners all completed three laps in under five hours and 45 minutes, with heavily-modified Ford Trick Trucks taking all three podium positions.
The 2017 Raptor takes advantage of a downsized but more powerful EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine. Like the latest-generation standard F-150, the new Raptor is built with an aluminum body to shed hundreds of pounds. It also features improved suspension and 17-inch beadlock wheels with off-road tires.
“The all-new F-150 Raptor race truck was strong throughout, and its new high-output EcoBoost® engine and transmission are seriously impressive,” said Foutz.
The race truck did receive a list of modifications to compete in the race, including external-bypass front and rear Fox shocks, raised and stiffened springs, a roll cage, racing seats, a fuel cells and LED light bars.
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