Dakar Rally Champion Carlos Sainz to Debut Ford Raptor T1+ at Goodwood Festival of Speed
In an exciting move, the new Ford Raptor T1+ will make its public debut at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed. Reigning Dakar Rally winner and newly signed Ford factory driver Carlos Sainz will be present to unveil the vehicle and showcase its capabilities on the Hillclimb stage.
Sainz, a veteran of the World Rally Championship, joined Ford’s rally raid division in May following the closure of Team Audi Sport. His impressive fourth Dakar Rally victory, achieved in Audi’s final race before they withdrew from the full World Rally-Raid Championship due to parts shortages, has made him a valuable addition to the Ford team.
Ford Performance has established its rally raid arm in collaboration with South African powerhouse Neil Woolridge Motorsport and WRC team M-Sport. In 2023, Nani Roma and Gareth Woolridge debuted the Ford Ranger T1+ in the W2RC, securing a third-place finish at the season-ending Rallye du Maroc. However, the team faced challenges at the Dakar Rally, with a double stage retirement midway through the event. Despite this, both drivers demonstrated their potential with top-ten stage finishes, including a ninth-place result for Roma on Stage #11 and a seventh-place finish for Woolridge on the final day.
“The Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place from 11–14 July, promises to be an exciting event for motorsport enthusiasts, with the debut of the Ford Raptor T1+ and the participation of top-tier rally-raid and GT competitors.”
While NWM continues the Ranger T1+ programme independently, Ford Performance and M-Sport are focusing on developing their own model, the Raptor. Sainz, alongside fellow Spaniard Nani Roma, will be piloting the Raptor at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
In addition to the Raptor, Ford will be showcasing the Ford Mustang GTD and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb-contending SuperVan 4.2 at the event. The M-Sport-built Ford Puma Rally1 WRC car is also expected to make an appearance.
Ford’s presence at Goodwood will be complemented by the attendance of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Seth Quintero and Lucas Moraes, who will be demonstrating their Toyota GR DKR Hilux EVO T1U.
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