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Ford built a 2017 Raptor specifically for off-road racing (pictures)

Based on the forthcoming 2017 F-150 Raptor, Ford's race truck packs a number of upgrades that will help it power through the Best in the Desert off-road racing series.

Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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This is no ordinary 2017 Raptor...not that you'd consider a still-unreleased hardcore pickup to be ordinary.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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This specific race truck is built to compete in the new factory-stock class at the Best in the Desert off-road racing series.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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The truck retains its original powertrain -- a 3.5-liter, turbocharged six-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed transmission.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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"This is the most stock truck I've ever seen in my time building Ford race trucks," said Greg Foutz, owner of the company responsible for assembling Ford's race trucks. He's also the automaker's primary race truck driver.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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Modifications to the race truck include 3.0-inch-diameter, external-bypass front and rear Fox Racing shocks -- similar to the Raptor's stock units, but larger.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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The front and rear springs have been modified, as well, to give the truck additional ground clearance. Increased compression rates allow the truck to handle the terrain a bit better, also.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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Naturally, the Raptor race truck features a custom roll cage for safety's sake.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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The truck also sports LED light bars, a racing fuel cell and a Lowrance GPS system.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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Inside, there's a RacePak digital dash and data logger to make sure each bit of relevant information is displayed and stored properly.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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The truck's inside also features a set of MasterCraft seats with five-point racing harnesses and window nets.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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One can never be too safe when off-roading, of course.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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Joining Foutz in the truck is Tim Casey, also an accomplished racer with championships under his belt.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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You can also catch the Raptor race truck at the famed Mint 400 in Las Vegas, from March 10 to March 14.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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The Raptor's EcoBoost engine puts out 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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The new Raptor -- in production guise -- will sport a new mode switch that lets drivers rejigger drivetrain settings to suit the terrain.

2017 Ford Raptor Race Truck
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Naturally, one of the included modes is called Baja mode, and it's set up exclusively for "high-speed desert running."

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