The Ford Ranger Raptor is the flagship version of one of Australia’s favourite utes. It has claimed a commanding win in the Production 4WD category at this year’s Tatts Finke Desert Race. In doing so, the Ranger Raptor claimed its third straight victory in the event, confirming its desert-racing pedigree which is accessible to buyers.
Record-breaking run
The winning Ranger Raptor was piloted by veteran off-roaders Brad and Adam Lovell, completing the arduous 460-kilometre journey from Alice Springs to Finke and back in record-breaking time. The route, notorious for its punishing conditions, was made even tougher this year by particularly demanding track surfaces.
The duo’s performance not only secured the win but also set a new class benchmark, pushing the limits of what a production-spec vehicle can achieve in one of Australia’s most extreme motorsport environments.
Unbeaten off-road performance
This latest triumph extends the Ford Ranger Raptor’s undefeated streak in major global off-road events. Since its debut win at the 2022 Baja 1000, the vehicle has gone on to conquer Finke three years in a row — 2023, 2024, and now 2025 — maintaining an unblemished competition record.
“Getting the third win here at Finke, especially on such a tough track and setting a new class record, is just incredible,” said Brad Lovell. “This Ranger Raptor is an absolute weapon. It handled everything we threw at it, proving its toughness and performance. I couldn’t be prouder of the team and this truck.”
Engineered for extreme endurance
According to Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance, this three-peat victory reflects the vehicle’s core DNA.
“To see the Ranger Raptor achieve a three-peat at Finke is phenomenal. This truck is a testament to Ford Performance engineering and its ability to deliver extreme capability and durability in the harshest environments,” he said.
Justin Capicchiano, Special Vehicle Engineering Program Manager, added that the result exemplifies Ford’s development goals:
“Designing a truck that can perform like this in production class racing is what we strive for. The Finke Desert Race is the ultimate test, and for the Ranger Raptor to not only win three times in a row but also set a new record shows the strength and resilience built into the race-prepared vehicle.”
A benchmark for off-road production vehicles
The 2025 win further reinforces the Ford Ranger Raptor’s role as the one-to-beat in the high-performance 4WD segment. In showroom specification, the Raptor is offered with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine under the hood rated at 292kW and 583Nm, mated to a 10-speed automatic. It is fitted with FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve shock absorbers with electronically controlled front and rear locking differentials. The stock performance ute comes with 17-inch alloys wrapped in chunky BF Goodrich KO2 All Terrain tyres.
The race-spec Ranger Raptor only gets a handful of customisations which are intended for increased safety and compliance with racing regulations, but it’s all production-spec under the skin.
The Ranger Raptor continues to showcase a rare blend of production reliability and motorsport-grade durability — a winning formula both on and off the track.
Comments
New Comment