Team Ford Racing will be sending two South African built Ford Ranger entries to compete in the punishing all-terrain rally event known as Dakar. The route begins in Rosario, Argentina on January 5^th 2014 and ends in Valparaiso, Chile January 18^th after thirteen different stages of competition for a total distance of over 8,500 kilometers.  

 “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.

Over one billion TV viewers from across the globe tuned in to watch the 2013 Dakar with 4.6 million people making their way to South America to spectate.

Competitive driver and navigator line-up

Dakar Ranger Tech Specs

Lucio Alvarez and Ronnie Graue have been confirmed as the first driver crew. While they represent part of the younger generation of drivers coming through the sport they have delivered notable results in their three previous entries of the Dakar. In their first outing in 2011 they finished 17th overall, in 2012 they managed to finish in an impressive fifth place. In 2013 they had been third overall before mechanical problems dropped them down to 27th place. They demonstrated their determination and abilities by fighting their way back up to tenth position at the finish.

The second Ford Ranger will be crewed by South African Cross Country driver Chris Visser and navigator Japie Badenhorst. Both are well known in South African motorsport having won the 2011 South African Cross Country Championship. The pair is currently leading the 2013 Donaldson South Africa National Cross-country championship. This will be their first time competing in the Dakar.  

Ford fans will be able to keep track of the team’s progress in the lead up to the event as well as follow the teams’ progress during the 2014 Dakar on Ford South Africa’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, join the conversation by using #FordDakar.