Ford Performance’s motorsport boss wants to offer a full line-up of high-performance, off-road racing capable Rangers.
Speaking to Australian media, including Torquecafe, Mark Rushbrook has said the blue oval brand wants to expand its Ranger line-up above the Raptor just like it has with the Mustang, with which it offers multiple racing examples from the just-launched Dark Horse R up to the new GT3 variant.
Ford has committed to racing the Ranger in the famous Dakar Rally and Rushbrook confirmed that the new T1+ version of the ute will be eligible to race in other off-road series. But while it will sit at the top of the off-road charts, he wants more models beneath it.
“Just as you see a full line-up of Mustangs – GT3, GT4, Dark Horse R, Dark Horse S – there’s a full portfolio available in the off-road space as well,” Rushbrook said.
REVIEW: Ford Ranger Raptor off-road test
Ford executives have repeatedly hinted at expanding the number of Ranger variants to try and appeal to those who want an even faster and tougher version than the Raptor. Rushbrook himself said in 2021 that he was considering a Ranger version of the Bronco Desert Racer, the Multimatic-built, V8-powered competition version of the Ranger-based SUV. And Rushbrook was unequivocal when asked if that was still under consideration.
“Absolutely,” he told Torquecafe.
“The same opportunity is there for Ranger,” Rushbook said. “It’s a common platform, a lot of what we developed for Bronco DR would work for a similar Ranger.”
In fact, a decision could be close as the Ranger is due to go on sale in the US market soon, expanding the potential market for such vehicles and therefore dramatically improving the business case for Ford Performance.
READ MORE: Ford Bronco Desert Racer revealed
There also remains a possibility that Ford will look to produce a more production-based option too, similar to what Kelly Racing built for the Baja 1000 and Finke Desert Race. This would be appealing to those who want to go racing with a factory-approved vehicle in those types of events or just have something more hardcore for private off-road use.
Crucially, Rushbrook left the door wide open for Ford Performance to produce both options.
“It’s not an either or,” he said.
Discussion about this post