FORD’s NEW Bronco Desert Racer
Ford unveiled a new factory-built Bronco race vehicle, said to take on the grueling SCORE Baja 1000. The Bronco features Ford Performance design and engineering expertise, plus Multimatic suspension technology that comes ready to race. Based on the 2022 Bronco four-door frame the Bronco DR adds and unique body and chassis modifications for high-speed desert racing, plus a Coyote 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes more than 400 hp, and is backed by a 10R80 automatic transmission, and electric shift-on-the-fly transfer case from the Ford F-150, and electronically locking front and rear differentials with 4.70:1 gearing.
The suspension system features a Multimatic Positional Selective DSSV™ Dampers and safety cage, as well as racing hardware and upgrades, including the Bronco brand-exclusive High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (H.O.S.S.) system, as well as Positional Selective DSSV Dampers with 80-millimeter bodies with finned fluid cooling channels, and Multimatic-designed billet aluminum lower control arms. Compared to a four-door Badlands™ series Bronco, Bronco DR is targeting to have 55.1% more front suspension travel, at 15.8 inches, and 58.6% more at the rear, 17.4 inches, for remarkable capability over nearly any terrain. The Bronco DR also rides on 37-inch BFGoodrich® Mud-Terrain T/A® KM3 all-season tires (37x12.5R17) and beadlock wheels.
“It’s not just a Bronco with some stripes on it,” said Paul Wraith, Bronco chief designer. “We were inspired by extreme rally cars, and then went all in. For this skunk works project, the Bronco team quickly found a theme and developed CAD with heavy use of virtual tools. This is an off-road racing vehicle built out of a production vehicle. We’re so happy to have been involved.”
The Bronco DR prototype will make its race debut in 2022 and is targeting entry in the 2022 SCORE Baja 1000, wearing Ford Performance red, white, black and blue livery honoring the Baja 1000 victory. The first 50 units of 2023 Bronco DR will be available for sale in late 2022 with a starting price in the mid-$200,000 range.
Tread Lightly! Announces Two New Program Managers To Grow National Impact
Tread Lightly!, the U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through stewardship and educational programs announced the addition of two new Program Managers to represent the Pacific Northwest and Southeast regions of the U.S., Anna Baklund and Lowell Eckart.
Baklund, a dirt bike and dual sport enthusiast with many years of program management experience, will represent Tread Lightly! in Oregon and Washington state. Along with her passion for off-roading, Baklund also is a longtime volunteer for state and federal lands projects to improve and protect off-road trail access, creating relationships with local enthusiasts and land managers across the west.
Eckart, a former Performance Tire Development Manager for BFGoodrich Tires, will lead education and stewardship efforts in the Southeastern US region. Eckart brings a wealth of automotive industry knowledge and has a passion for off-roading and protecting access. To learn more about the Tread Lightly! team visit www.treadlightly.org.
