Ford » Cargo VDR Truck Racing

Ford Trucks International in partnership with the Belgian VDR Truck Racing team participated in 2019 Dakar Rally with two specially built Cargo trucks, equipped with engines that generate from 650 to 700 horsepower.

The capacity of Ecotorq engine is 9 liters. It has a torque of between 2,300 and 2,500 Nm. The changes in the design included a high performance transmission, independent suspension, new front bumper design and maximum speed adjustment at 140 km/h. Both vehicles will wear Bridgestone pneumatic tires that specially manufactured for this type of off-road competition.

"Our rally trucks are redesigned, factory-produced vehicles from Ford Trucks", the official website says. "All of the modifications are made by the VDR Truck Racing Team, powered by Ford Trucks. A dedicated team of volunteers has worked hard to achieve one common goal: to compete successfully in the Dakar Rally 2019 and obtain our high ambitions for the race. Of course this is not a one-year project. Nonetheless, we strive to become eventually a leading competitor in this particular truck class overall".

Both trucks are finished in Dakar 2019. The experience after the race will be used to prepare trucks for the next Dakar 2020.