Following an intense test and development phase led by Neil Woolridge ApexF1 in conjunction with M-Sport, the revised pick-up will go up against the clock for the first time on the gravel event.
Roma has also been simultaneously providing feedback and input for Ford’s upcoming Ranger Raptor T1+ which is scheduled to compete on the 2025 Dakar Rally.
“I always work to win in all the races I have entered in the 30 years I have been racing. I have won Baja Spain nine times, four on bikes and five in cars so it would be very special to win a tenth with Ford for this new project,” said Nani, who will be teaming up with Alex Haro.
Meanwhile Woolridge – the lead technician for new vehicle assembly – heads to Spain with Boyd Dreyer as the current leader of the South African Rally-Raid Championship although he is keeping his expectations in check.
“We have completed a series of extensive test sessions with M-Sport and NWM in South Africa, Dubai and Morocco, and with the upgrades we have added, largely with cooling and dampers, it has made a huge difference in the performance of the car,” he said.
“For Spain, it’s a very new event for Boyd and I. The format is a bit different which we will need to get used to, but the terrain will be similar to some places we have raced at before and we are hoping to just go and learn with the team.
“It’s our first competitive outing together with M-Sport so the aim is to go there, learn, work, and build our strength together as a team to deliver a good strong result. The most important goal for us is getting to the end in a good strong position.”
