Wraps come off of Ford's 2025 Rally Raid Series challenger

A total of three vehicles will be fielded come the newly scheduled season opener on 27 and 28 June.
Return of sponsor Castrol has seen the NWM-made Ranger adopting a retro livery for 2025. Images: Charl Bosch
Ford Motor Company Southern Africa has resumed its almost three decade long partnership with Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) with the unveiling of its latest Ranger ahead of its this year's South African Rally Raid series.
Supposed to have started in March with the Vryheid 400 in KwaZulu-Natal, an event called off due to persistent bad weather, the prolonged delay to the season opener, now set to be round two at Thabazimbi at the end of June, has netted the NWM team additional days testing to be worry-free before the 2025 season kicks-off.
New looks
Debuting a retro Castrol livery as part of its renewed sponsorship with the lubricant brand after last year competing with Shell backing, the officially titled Castrol NWM Ford team will race three vehicles, two in the premier FIA T1+ Ultimate class, and one in the second-tier T1+ Ultimate division that conforms to South African and not FIA specifications.
ALSO READ: The workings of a Rally-Raid team: Inside Ford-backed NWM
Shown at the Blue Oval's Technical Training Centre outside its Silverton factory in Pretoria on Thursday (24 April), the reveal involved the latter class vehicle that mainly differs from the FIA specification Ranger by using a different engine management system.
New faces
In effect, this makes local models ineligible for the competing in the Dakar Rally, with the opposite being applicable to the pair of FIA T1+ models which will again once be piloted this year by former champions Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, and multiple Brazilian cross country series champions, Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea.
New to the NWM stable though are Wors Prinsloo and co-driver Andre Vermeulen, who will drive the local specification Ranger T1+.
'Motorsport is a process of continuous evolution, and we have taken the lessons from last year and improved the package from front to back.
'The team has done a lot of work during the off-season to refine and enhance the cars, making them more robust and more capable,' team owner and multiple off-road champion, Neil Woolridge, said.
Ready for battle
As before, both FIA and local spec Ranger T1+ will derive motivation from the 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, mated to a Sadev-sourced six-speed sequential gearbox.
Build and developed at NWM's workshop in Pietermaritzburg, the three-car team will again face-off against arch rivals, Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, and the semi-works supported Hilux Rally Raid outfit come the season opener on 27 and 28 June.
'We are confident that the team will be in a position to fight for race wins and the championship once again this year,' Woolridge concluded.
As with previous models, the T1+ is only made in left-hand-drive as a way of selling it to other markets.
Aside from its sponsorship with Castrol, who has been a NWM backer for years until the short-lived deal inking with Shell last year, the 2025 season will also see bp come on-board as fuel supplier.
Associate sponsors include Vedacit, Ford Credit, Mastercraft, Sparco, Brembo, NTN, Veldskoen and Tiger Wheel & Tyre.
Revised calendar
With it being unknown as to whether Vryheid 400 will be rescheduled for later in the year, the rest of the Rally Raid calendar for 2025 is as follows;
Rd 2: Thabazimbi – 27/28 June
Rd 3 and 4: Parys – 15/16 August
Rd 5: Louvain Farm – 19/20 September
Rd 6: Legends Adventure Farm – 3/4 October
Rd 7: Sun City – 8/9 November
NOW READ: Stranglehold broken as Ford takes 2023 Rally-Raid title

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

IOL News

7 hours ago

• IOL News

While Kyalami Grand Prix circuit news gets cheers, the SA F1 committee is still evaluating bids

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit has received confirmation that the FIA has accepted final design proposals to upgrade the circuit to Grade 1 status. Image: Supplied While the news of Kyalami Grand Prix circuit getting the thumbs up for its upgrade delighted many, including the minister of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the F1 bid steering committee had to clarify that they are still evaluating the bids received, and not all have been happy with the process. On Wednesday, Kyalami circuit owner Toby Venter said between $5 and $10 million will be spent over the next three years to ensure that the circuit is the only Formula 1-compliant track on the continent. Grade 1 status is the highest international standard required by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to host Formula 1. Kyalami's Grade 1 plans were approved by the FIA, meaning they were given the green light to upgrade their track to the highest possible standards in motorsport. The 4.5km surface holds a Grade 2 licence. It is estimated that the upgrades will cost between R100 million and R180m. 'When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across the African continent. The FIA's acceptance of our Grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey,' Venter said on Wednesday. On the back of the announcement, the F1 Bid Steering Committee (BSC) said that they have noted recent announcements and called the development 'encouraging' and said it 'bodes well for the country's bid to host a Formula 1 race in future'. 'Whilst the committee believes this is positive news for South Africa and motorsport in our country, it wishes to clarify that the above announcement and development is entirely independent from the work of the committee. 'The committee remains seized with the evaluation and adjudication of proposals received for the staging and promotion of an F1 Race in South Africa,' they said. 'In the near future, the committee will make an announcement on the outcomes of this process along with the preferred promoter for the country.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Minister of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, on Friday, posted that a few months ago he informed the owner of Kyalami race track that 'government wouldn't be in a position to assist financially with renovations at the track'. 'He gave me his word that his group would pay for it and see the whole process through. I salute you, Tobie Venter.' When asked if this means that Cape Town's bid is not being considered, all that BSC spokesperson Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase said on Sunday was: 'The committee is finalising its report to the minister and should have it submitted in the next week. 'The report will provide an outcome on the process undertaken and the three bids received.' One of the three bids came from Cape Town Grand Prix, where CEO Igshaan Amlay has expressed his frustration and concern with the process, stating that he had already been notified two weeks ago that his bid was unsuccessful. 'They lied to the media, because Cape Town Grand Prix, sees this whole process as a flawed process, because firstly, nowhere in South Africa in the new democracy, has there been a request that you have to pay R10 million rand to bid to bring an event to the country.' Amlay was referring to the R10 million referenced in the Request for Expression of Interest ('RFEOI') document, which states that 'Interested parties/potential promoters will be required to make payment of a refundable deposit into the Sec. 86(4) trust account of attorneys appointed by and representing the BSC, to the value of R10 million. 'In the event that an interested party is unsuccessful in the EOI stage and is not selected to move forward into the closed RFP process, the deposit will be refunded with relevant interest accrued.' Amlay said: 'When we asked them what the R10 million is for, they said it's refundable, but they couldn't tell us when you're getting it back.' He said that they went back to them with a promissory note, but they were informed that the money had to be delivered in cash, and that they couldn't accept a promissory note.

Eyewitness News

15 hours ago

• Eyewitness News

How soon could Kyalami be back on the F1 calendar?

Daniell 21 June 2025 | 16:12 Formula 1 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu Motorsport An aereal view of the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, a motor racing circuit in Midrand, on February 3, 2025. In the aspiration of Lewis Hamilton, apostle of a return of F1 to the only continent deserted by the calendar, South Africa is mounting a bid to reorganize a Grand Prix, three decades later. Picture: AFP 702's Gugs Mhlungu picks the brain of resident motoring enthusiast Kumbi Mtshakazi. For years, many in the Formula One world, most notably Sir Lewis Hamilton, have been calling for an African race, and for years rumours of a return to Kyalami have abounded. Now that the FIA has granted approval for Class 1 upgrades, how likely is it that the return will happen any time soon, if at all? The upgrades, estimated to cost up to R200 million, will be focused on improving track safety, as well as infrastructural improvements to accommodate the spectacle that is an F1 race. "It's not any upgrades in terms of engineering, but it's just to enhance the excellent circuit that's at Kyalami to just meet the modern F1 requirements." Kumbi Mtshakazi, Resident Motoring Enthusiast While the odds are certainly in Kyalami's favour, it faces competition both locally and from the rest of the continent. There has been huge interest in hosting a street race in Cape Town, which would follow the same route as the hugely successful Formula E race which took place in 2023. Rwanda, with its rapidly developing economy and eagerness to welcome the world, has also thrown its hat in the ring. Kyalami, though, has a proven track record, having been a regular on the calendar from 1967-1985, and again in 1992 and 1993, and already has FIA Grade 2 certification. It is also a favourite among drivers who have driven the circuit before. "Kyalami deserves this one." Resident Motoring Enthusiast, Kumbi Mtshakazi Competition for a spot on the F1 calendar is fierce, and only getting fiercer, which has led many to speculate that South Africa could wait up to ten years to see a race. Mtshakazi, though, remains optimistic that it could happen much sooner than that. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, has already lost its place on the calendar, and rumours are circulating that other old-school tracks won't have their contracts renewed. Should those rumours be accurate, and more tracks lose their spots, there's a chance Kyalami could see racing action as soon as 2028 or 2029. Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full interview.

The Citizen

a day ago

• The Citizen

Prices for heavy load-ready Ford Ranger Super Duty released, but not for SA market

Prices for heavy load-ready Ford Ranger Super Duty released, but not for SA market While only set to go on-sale next year, Ford has revealed the previously unknown powertrain details of the first-ever Ranger Super Duty, as well as the newcomer's price tag in Australia. Shown in April as not only the most work-focused Ranger ever made, but the first non-F-Series to wear the Super Duty name, the newcomer slots-in between the 'regular' Ranger and F-150 in the Blue Oval's bakkie line-up, albeit only Down Under for now. The differences Described as a 'purpose-built truck designed for heavy-duty use', the Super Duty will initially be offered as a chassis cab in single, Super and double cab body styles and, as its description states, without the fitting of a factory loadbox. A traditional Australian-style steel tray can, however, be added as an optional extra. As depicted by the April launch model though, a factory loadbin-equipped Super Duty will be offered, but only later in the year and solely for the double cab with the XLT trim designation being applied. Compared to the standard Ranger, the Super Duty's exterior changes consist of a steel front bumper, a new grille, wider wheel arches, a new bonnet complete with Super Duty lettering, wider mirrors, a standard snorkel and a steel underbody protection bashplate. Underneath, the Super Duty sports a strengthened chassis, revised suspension, a long range 130-litre fuel tank and unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tyres. Hardcore fundamentals Known by now to have a tow rating of 4 500 kg, a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4 500 kg and gross combined mass (GCM) of over 8 000 kg, new information confirms a wading depth of 850 mm versus the normal Ranger's 800 mm, as well as the following payload ratings: • single cab chassis cab: 1 982 kg; • SuperCab chassis cab: 1 896 kg • double cab chassis cab: 1 825 kg Differing further is the ground clearance ratings at 299 mm for the single, 297 mm for the SuperCab and 295 mm for the double cab. Detuned V6 Besides the only interior change being an on-board scale display integrated into the 12-inch SYNC 4A infotainment system, as well as the Super Duty script on the passenger's side of the dashboard, up front, Ford has made the 3.0-litre Lion turbodiesel V6 available as the sole engine option, but in detuned form. Reported in April as the only option considered for the Super Duty, the unit now produces the same 154 kW as the bi-turbo 2.0-litre Panther engine instead of its regular 184 kW, but retains the same 600 Nm torque figure. As per usual, the only transmission option is the 10-speed automatic co-developed with General Motors. Price hint On the colour front, five hues have been made available: Arctic White, Command Grey, Shadow Black, Aluminium Silver and the Super Duty-exclusive Seismic Tan. A sixth, Traction Green, will added at a later stage. With the mentioned double cab-only XLT to arrive later, the three-model Super Duty range, as with the standard Aussie-market Ranger, will be produced in Thailand rather than at the Silverton Plant outside Pretoria, where the South African-spec Ranger is made. As such, no plans are currently in place to bring the Ranger Super Duty to market soon. • Ranger Super Duty chassis single cab – $82 990 (R971 454) • Ranger Super Duty chassis SuperCab – $86 490 (R1 012 424) • Ranger Super Duty chassis double cab – $89 990 (R1 053 394)