FORD RACING
RAPTOR T1+

Built by Ford and M-Sport, the Raptor T1+ is the result of a full year of development following its 2025 debut. Every lesson learned was fed back into the program, refining the truck from nose to tail to not just survive, but dominate, the deep dunes and rocky canyons of Saudi Arabia.

To improve on the 2025 spec, Ford mounted 37" BFGoodrich tires on Method 207 Forged Bead Grip® wheels, boosting traction and tire control where it counts most, while staying fully compliant with FIA T1+ rules that prohibit mechanical beadlocks.

Under FIA T1+ regulations, power is capped, so efficiency is everything. That’s where the Raptor’s aerodynamics deliver a decisive advantage. Thousands of hours of CFD and wind-tunnel testing shaped a body that cuts drag, reaches FIA-limited top speed faster, and uses less fuel, reducing weight and increasing agility. The result: a lighter, faster, sharper race vehicle built to win stages.

A Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox, proven in Rally Raid, keeps the engine locked in its power band. Power delivery is managed through fully adjustable limited-slip differentials, front, center, and rear, with hydraulic locking at the push of a button to handle the toughest terrain.

Crew performance matters too. A powerful air-conditioning system cools the cabin, seats, and helmets, keeping drivers focused at full throttle in extreme heat.

Inside, the composite cockpit integrates essential rally equipment, tablets, intercoms, fire systems, cleanly and within reach, without sacrificing visibility. Bosch Motorsport electronics provide race-proven reliability, redundancy, and quick diagnostics so crews can push with confidence.

With terrain changing at speed, steering response is critical. A fast-ratio steering rack and high-pressure pump deliver precise, immediate input while reducing kickback from heavy impacts. Fully tunable, the system stays light and controlled across the full 8,000 km Dakar—stage after stage.

BUILT BY

Ford Racing/ M-Sport UK

WHEELS	Method 207 Forged Bead Grip / 8.5in x 17in (aluminum) wheels
TIRES	BFGoodrich KDR3 37x12.50-17

ENGINE	Ford 5L Coyote Darkhorse V8 base engine, 32valves, 93mm bore, 92.7mm stroke. Bosch electronics engine management system.
TRANSMISSION	Permanent four-wheel drive. Sadev six speed sequential gearbox with AP clutch. Front, middle and rear limited slip differentials with mechanical diff-lock.
BODYSHELL	T45 steel spaceframe with carbon fire body panels.

SUSPENSION	Front and rear: double wishbone suspension with Machined aluminum uprights and lower wishbones.
	Front FOX 2.0 Coil-Over Piggybacks w/ Dual Speed Compression (DSC) adjusters, dual-rate springs 2.5 External Bypass (5-Tube) Piggyback shocks
	Rear FOX 2.0 Coil-Over Piggybacks w/ Dual Speed Compression (DSC) adjusters, dual-rate springs 3.0 External Bypass (5-Tube) Piggyback shocks

BRAKES

Front and Rear - 355mm Alcon ventilated discs with Alcon six piston monoblock calipers. Hydraulic handbrake.

INTERIOR & ELECTRONICS	Full Bosch electronics data acquisition for on-event diagnostics and performance development.

DIMENSIONS	Length: 4585mm (180.5 in)
	Width: 2300mm (90.6 in)
	Wheelbase: 3000mm (118 in)
	Weight: 2010kg (4431 lbs) (minimum)

BUILD GALLERY

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207 T1+ FORGED BEAD GRIP®

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207 Forged Bead Grip® – T1+

In T1+, mechanical beadlocks are not allowed, so we have to find tire retention another way that stays within the rules.
Method’s patented Bead Grip technology gives us bead security without a beadlock, keeping the truck fully compliant within the regulations.
The Bead Grip lip is built into the wheel, creating extra surface and pressure on the tire bead to help it stay seated.
This lets us safely run lower tire pressures, which is critical for traction in sand, rocks, and rough terrain.
Lower pressure means a bigger contact patch, better grip, and less wheelspin—especially in soft sections.
At rally speeds, losing a bead ends your day, so tire retention is just as important as strength.
Bead Grip gives us confidence over long stages, where heat, impacts, and side loads all work against the tire.
Bead Grip is patented exclusive technology, only Method Race Wheels offers it.
The wheel is forged for strength, so it can handle high-speed hits without deforming and breaking the bead seal.
It’s a simple solution that works, no moving parts, no external hardware, just smart engineering.
This setup gives us a performance advantage, even compared to previous-spec wheels, while staying within the rules.
At this level of racing, reliability is everything, and Method Bead Grip helps keep the truck moving when conditions get brutal.