Team Ford Racing has confirmed it will enter two South African-built Ford Rangers in the gruelling 2014 Dakar, taking place from 05 – 18 January in South America.
The design team responsible for bringing Ford’s Dakar contender to fruition includes a mix of South African and global minds. The purpose-built Ford Rangers are being prepared by Pietermaritzburg-based Neil Woolridge Motorsport while logistics will be handled by German-based South Racing. Similarly the driver line-up is made up of both international and local contenders including South American native Lucio Alvarez and South African Chris Visser.
“We are extremely proud to be sending these South African-built Rangers to the 2014 Dakar,” says Jeff Nemeth President and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “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.”
Over 1-billion TV viewers from across the globe tuned in to watch the 2013 Dakar with 4.6 million spectators making their way to South America to witness the feat.
“The Dakar is a truly international showcase of Off Road machinery. Last year 745 competitors participated, representing 53 nationalities. We are pleased to have put together a global team that represents exceptional knowledge of the event as well as the Ford Ranger, which is built at the Silverton Assembly Plant in Silverton” says Dave Schoch Group Vice President and President, Asia Pacific.
Global collaboration
The newly designed Ford Rangers were built in Pietermaritzburg with assistance from Ford Motor Company’s Global Product Developments division. Every aspect of the new Ranger has been carefully considered and built with precision and performance in mind.
“A complex jigging system was used in the manufacturing process in order to ensure that each part is built as per the design in order to achieve the perfect fit on every vehicle built” explains Neil Woolridge, Team Manager. “Although the two new Rangers are locally built we received tremendous support from our global counterparts including the likes of Ford’s SVT division.”
The technical aspects of the project will be managed from the NWM workshops in Pietermaritzburg and this will continue to be the main headquarters for the project. One of the two FIA Ford Rangers is already complete and will start testing this August. The second is under construction with planned completion at the end of October. They will be supported by a dedicated team of 24 full time staff in their quest for the top honours in the Dakar battle.
The logistics and European operations are being managed by South Racing GmbH, based near Frankfurt, Germany. South Racing is owned and managed by Scott Abraham whose family has a long history in South African motorsport, his father Arthur was a stalwart of South African motorsport for several decades. Abraham has been based in Europe for the past ten years during which time he has worked as team manager for X-raid BMW/MINI and Overdrive Toyota. He was integral to the launch of the Toyota Dakar project and thus has a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience.
South Racing will be supplying the team logistic structure including the MAN 6X6 Service Trucks, MAN T4 Race Trucks and service equipment. In addition to the vehicles and equipment South Racing will manage all logistic and administration requirements for the team including the relationship with ASO.
“The combination of NWM and South Racing will ensure that the project has the necessary expertise and depth to be able to deliver the results,” explains Abraham.
VEHICLE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION – Ford Ranger
| Base Vehicle Regulations Engine Engine Management Power Torque Rev limit: Fuel consumption (L/100 km): Body Suspension Brakes Fue Cell |
T6 Ford Ranger 4×4 Double Cab FIA / ASO T1 Ford Aluminum 5.0L-4V V8 with Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing Magneti Marelli 260kW@ 4500r/min 560nm@ 4100r/min 5500rpm 90L / 100km in sandy racing conditions and 28L / 100km on normal road driving Full Composite Independent Front and Rear Twin BOS Dampers/Wheel Antiroll Bar Front and Rear Brembo Water Cooled Rear Brembo Air Cooled Front 500L Sadev 6 Speed Sequential, permanente 4 wheel drive Air conditioned LSD Unit Front and Rear Sadev GEMS GKN 16 inch Evocorse rims fitted with 245/85 – 16 Michelin tyres 170km/h 1975kg |
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