ULTRA4 Racing began with the King of the Hammers, held each February in Johnson Valley, California. What with the world going into lockdown, that looks unlikely to happen this year. The endurance off-road race covers everything from high-speed open desert to rather technical rocky mountain terrain. Normally about 300 teams compete in front of approximately 35,000 fans, which makes King of the Hammers one of the premier off-road races in the world.
Because of its success, organizers created a seven-stop race series all across the U.S. These races range from competition rock crawling, dirt short course racing, and endurance desert racing. In Europe, there is now even a four-race series, one Australian race, and an annual exhibition in China.
In January 2020, thanks to its expanding lineup of rugged SUVs and off-road trucks, including the F-150 Raptor, Ford ventured abroad and introduced the official vehicle of the King of the Hammers and ULTRA4 extreme off-road racing series.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports, said last year that working with ULTRA4 Racing and King of the Hammers is "a natural for Ford based on our truck, SUV, and off-road heritage."
The Ford F-150 Raptor is certainly a ridiculous ULTRA4 off-road racing truck, and here's why.
The Ford F-150 Raptor's Engine, Performance, And Transmission
Ford provided the F-150 with twin-turbo V6 engines. According to Car and Driver, scrapping the idea of installing it with a V8 engine may seem ludicrous to some, but the truck's 450 hp twin-turbo V6 is mental. Despite this, the 10-speed automatic transmission struggles to find the right gear at times. With the F-150's outstanding suspension, composed cruising is guaranteed with this vehicle. It also has amazing control, which explains why it is the perfect truck to drive around terrains like Johnson Valley, California. The brake pedal responds evenly to the driver's request for deceleration. Off-road, though, is a different story, where its brakes and large all-terrain tires feel more reassuring.
The Ford F-150 Raptor's Exterior
There are many reasons why the F-150 Raptor does not struggle to distinguish itself from other trucks, and that is because of its exterior features such as its flared fenders, gigantic Ford badging on the front grille, unique bumpers and skid plates, and its special vented hood make it clear that this vehicle is rather intimidatingly-styled, as Car Buzz likes to claim. The F-150 Raptor's 17-inch wheels come wrapped in chunky off-road tires, and they have a gap between them and the arches, enabling you to see the fancy Fox shocks. The truck's quad-beam LED headlights adorn the front, with LEDs at the rear too, while the sides consist of aluminum running boards. A pair of exhaust tips help add visual width at the rear. Both the Extended Cab and Crew Cab options are paired to a 5.5-footbed.
Regarding exterior colors, Rapid Red adds $395 to the build price. However, Lead Foot can save drivers some money. Other options include a vibrant Race Red, a more demure Magnetic, the Darth Vader-looking Agile Black, and a dazzling Oxford White. Velocity Blue is also available, but the iconic Ford Performance Blue is the color that most car enthusiasts will associate with the F-150 Raptor. It does not matter which color you opt for, the F-150 Raptor can be easily distinguished from its predecessors, and it looks good no matter which color you choose.
The Ford F-150 Raptor's Interior And Infotainment
For those who value comfort when it comes to purchasing vehicles, the F-150 Raptor has that in the bucket-loads. It is utilitarian in base form, but drivers can expect a dash of luxury thanks to its heated and cooled front seats, leather seating surfaces, and distinguished color choices. The F-150 Raptor's 5.5-foot cargo bed is as useful as those of its competitors with shorter beds, yet when it comes to interior storage, the truck stands out among its rivals. Drivers who need a longer bed should seriously consider the F-150 Raptor.
Inside the F-150 Raptor, passengers are blessed with a well-functioning touchscreen infotainment system. Called the Sync 3, it is simple to use and rather robust. Sadly, its competitors have quicker response times, but passengers should not have to worry about its lack of compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The base trim features black and grey accents on the seats, and plastic is abundant throughout the cabin. Furthermore, the cabin is highlighted by demure colors on dark plastics and fabric upholstery.
Thanks to its engine, performance, interior, and exterior, the F-150 Raptor is a truly ridiculous ULTRA4 off-road racing truck. Though its rivals are better in some ways, it is no wonder that the F-150 Raptor became the official vehicle of the King of the Hammers.