SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1529580
THE BIG ROUND-UP Ford’s Raptor Rally Gives Truck Owners A Taste Of Baja And More By Dan Sanchez Photos Courtesy Ford Motor Company More than 300 Ford Raptor owners came out to participate in the first Ford Raptor Rally, held at the Ford Performance Racing School in Fairfield, Utah, on September 21st. The event gave owners of Ford F-150 Raptors, Bronco Raptors, and Ranger Raptors an opportunity to learn what their vehicles are capable of, on a variety of courses and learn more about their vehicles in exclusive workshops. The one-day event was more than a festival of horsepower and traction, it included exclusive Raptor-branded merchandise, and giveaways for attendees who purchased the $500 ticket for two people. Lauren Healy, Chris Polvoorde, and Vaughn Gittin Jr. were present to give hot laps and sign autographs Some of the activities included challenging courses. Attendees could learn to drive their own vehicles across rocks, and sand, take jumps, and even handle a “Baja” course at speed. Some also got to take hot laps with Ford sponsored drivers such as SCORE Baja Champion Chris Polvoorde, off-road racing and drifting Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr, and Ultra 4 Rock Crawling Champion Lauren Healy. Mark Rushbrook, Head of Ford Motorsports, also gave a talk on what Ford is doing in a variety of motorsports, including SCORE International, where the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor will once again challenge the SCORE Baja 1000 race in November. Rushbrook also introduces a new color, Marsh Gray, for the 2025 Bronco Raptor. Traeger Grilles provided lunch for everyone and assisted in the event, along with the help of Northern and Southern California Raptor Run Club members. Sponsors of this event included Ford Performance, Amsoil, Fox, Recaro, Traeger Grills, Clarios, Optima Batteries, and BFGoodrich Tires. While no-one left without a great experience and wanting more, a future date for next heat has not yet been announced by Ford Performance. Attendees listened to SCORE Baja Champion Chris Polvoorde, off-road racing and drifting Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr, and Ultra 4 Rock Crawling Champion Lauren Healy talk about their off-road racing experiences Raptor owners brought their own vehicles to give some of the challenging courses a try Steep hill ascents was one of the tougher obstacles at the event Various workshops were also available such as this one on vehicle recovery techniques A major announcement made during the event was the entry of the 2024 Ford Raptor Ranger in the 57th SCORE BaJa 1000 Video- Ford Raptor Rally