Dakar Rally: Ford to compete in 2014

[OverTake.gg]

Ford has confirmed that it will be entering the 2014 Dakar Rally, entering two purpose-built Ford Rangers to be driven by Lucio Alvarez and Chris Visser.

Lucio Alvarez came extraordinarily close to winning the opening stage of the 2013 rally, whilst driving for Overdrive Toyota. The Argentine finished 10th, despite being hit mid-rally with mechanical complications.

Chris Visser will be making his debut at Dakar, after winning the South African cross-country rally in 2011.

Ford's effort is being headed by the South African division, and will feature two highly modified Ford Rangers. As with most racing cars, there is little Ford Ranger left, as the engine has been swapped out for a 5.0 litre V8 taken from the Mustang GT.

Tuned to deliver far more torque, the Rangers will output 348 horsepower and 412 lbft of torque. A Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox is latched onto the engine, driving 16-inch Evocorse wheels wrapped with Michelin tyres. All-in-all, the entry will weight 1950kg, with a claimed top speed of 105 mph.

The 2014 Dakar Rally will commence on January 5th in Rosario, Argentina. Finishing in Valparaiso, Chile, on January 18th after 5,200 miles have been covered including a new stage in Bolivia.

"We are extremely proud to be sending these South African-built Rangers to the 2014 Dakar," Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, said.

"Dakar is the ultimate test of man and machine and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate with a phenomenal team comprised of local and global expertise."

Testing will begin on the first of the two Rangers in August, and the second is predicted to be completed in mid October.

Images: Ford

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