Ford Performance's Dream Team Gears Up for the Dakar Rally

TGR Staff - 10/03/2024

Ford Performance is putting all the right pieces in place as they prepare to tackle one of the most demanding challenges in motorsports: the legendary Dakar Rally. But first, they’ll hit the rough terrain of the Rallye du Maroc from October 4-11, using the event as a crucial proving ground for both their top-tier drivers and the cutting-edge Ford Raptor T1+ rally truck.

Leading Ford’s charge in Morocco are two of the most respected names in off-road racing: Swedish motorsport legend Mattias Ekström and four-time Dakar winner Carlos Sainz Sr. This dynamic duo will be joined by American off-road star Mitch Guthrie Jr. and two-time Dakar champion Nani Roma, creating a formidable lineup that balances seasoned Dakar veterans with fresh talent.

Ford’s objective for 2025 is clear: establish their Raptor T1+ as a dominant force in rally raid racing, starting with the Rallye du Maroc, which traditionally serves as the final dress rehearsal before the grueling Dakar Rally. The drivers will be piloting the purpose-built Ford Raptor T1+ vehicles, engineered in collaboration with M-Sport, Ford’s longtime rally partner. These machines are equipped with a powerful V8 engine, robust suspension, and extreme durability to handle some of the harshest conditions on the planet.

“This lineup is a perfect blend of experience and youth, bringing together Dakar champions and rising stars,” said Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance Motorsports’ global director. “Our goal is to push the Raptor T1+ to its limit. The Rallye du Maroc is our last chance before Dakar to make sure our drivers and trucks are battle-ready.”

For Ekström, who has conquered the WRX and DTM circuits and has proven himself in rally raid, joining forces with Sainz is a dream opportunity. “I’m looking forward to teaming up with a legend like Carlos in Morocco and beyond,” Ekström said. “Rallye du Maroc is the perfect testbed for Dakar, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

The Rallye du Maroc has long been a critical event on the rally raid calendar, featuring rugged landscapes and grueling stages that push man and machine to their absolute limits. It’s a true endurance test, and for Ford Performance, it’s the ideal stage to fine-tune the Raptor T1+ ahead of its biggest challenge yet — Dakar 2025.

Back in August, Nani Roma piloted the Raptor T1+ to a strong debut at the Hungarian Baja, posting the fastest overall time and setting the tone for Ford’s ambitious rally raid program. Now, with the Rallye du Maroc on the horizon, the team is focused on refining the truck’s capabilities even further.

Matthew Wilson, M-Sport’s program director, sees the upcoming event as pivotal. “The Rallye du Maroc will provide us with critical insights as we continue to refine the truck for Dakar,” he noted. “With drivers like Mattias and Carlos at the helm, we’re confident that we’ll be in a strong position to compete at the highest level.”

With a lineup that blends the proven skills of Dakar legends and the hunger of up-and-coming talent, Ford Performance is gearing up for a campaign that could redefine their rally raid legacy. As they prepare to take on the world’s toughest off-road race, all eyes are on the team to see if they can conquer the dunes and leave their mark on Dakar’s unforgiving landscape.

For off-road enthusiasts and racing fans alike, the 2024 Rallye du Maroc will be an early glimpse into what promises to be a thrilling battle come Dakar 2025.