Zac Quinn 
The 2023 Baja 1000 was just last week, and Ford Performance decided to take the Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R to compete in their designated stock racing classes for this year’s legendary off-road event. Unfortunately, steady rains swept through the rock-laden desert plain in the final northern push by Ford Performance during the 56th SCORE Baja 1000 Presented by K&N, which made things even more challenging. That said, the distinguished headlights of the Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R pierced through the darkness before anyone else, resulting in the mid-size and full-size stock class victories.
From a sandy Pacific coastline to thick silt beds and tricky rock sections, the Ford Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R traversed nearly 1,200 miles up the Baja Mexico peninsula from La Paz to Ensenada, which was a first in the event’s storied history. Both vehicles pressed on with FOX shock technology, and they were also able to find traction with BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires wrapped around Method Race Wheels.
The Ford Bronco Raptor pushed up the Gulf of California with its 418 horsepower 3.0-liter Ecoboost engine. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 Raptor R powered through the wide-open washes with its 5.2-liter supercharged V8 producing over 700 horsepower. Together, the two Ford Performance race trucks made the final corner into Ensenada and climbed the spectator ramp as victors – the Bronco Raptor finished with an unofficial time of 40:37:47.820 and the F-150 Raptor R in 41:44:45.634.
What’s most impressive about both of these vehicles finishing the race ahead of the competition is that they were virtually stock – retaining the stock engine, transmission, and driveline – which also incorporated select safety and performance modifications that met SCORE stock class regulations. This is just another successful year for Ford at the Baja 1000 as last year it brought the Ford Ranger Raptor, which also won the legendary race in its class in nearly stock form, minus the required safety features for the race, which shows just how spectacular these vehicles are.
