This year, RTR Vehicles joined forces with Ford Racing to take on the challenge head-on with the Ford Bronco Raptor. After more than 30 straight hours on course, the team crossed the finish line and secured the win in the Stock Mid-Size class.
Ford did not come to Baja with a light roster. The Bronco Raptor ran alongside three other heavy hitters from the Raptor family: the Ford Ranger Raptor, the Ford F-150 Raptor, and the F-150 Raptor R. It was a full-force showcase of the capability behind the blue oval, and the Bronco Raptor was ready to rock from the moment it rolled off the start line.
Behind the wheel, the RTR-backed entry had a stacked driver lineup. Vaughn Gittin Jr., Loren Healy, and Bailey Campbell shared driving duties, each supported by co-drivers who handled navigation and managed the nonstop communication needed to keep the truck sharp through every mile, and occasionally played a bit of Rage Against the Machine to keep the vibes high.
Loren kicked things off for the team. The early miles of the Baja 1000 can be some of the most chaotic. You have traffic, bottlenecks, and tricky terrain before you even settle into a rhythm. Loren set the tone right away, working through early challenges and delivering the Bronco Raptor in strong shape for the next leg.
From there, Vaughn took over for the middle section of the race. The middle of Baja is where things get real. Terrain constantly changes, fatigue starts to creep in toward the end of your stint, and the race becomes a balancing act between pace and preservation. Vaughn kept the energy high, pushed where it counted, and trusted the Bronco Raptor to carry momentum through one of the most demanding stretches of the course.
As the race pushed deeper into the night and eventually sunrise the next day, Bailey Campbell climbed in to take the Bronco Raptor to the finish. Baja weather and terrain never make things easy, and by this point, the course had turned messy after the skies opened up with a rainstorm. Bailey pushed through miles of wet terrain and brought the truck home wearing what felt like half of Baja. By the time she crossed the finish line to victory, the Bronco Raptor was coated in mud from bumper to bumper.
Behind the scenes, the RTR Vehicles Off-Road Team played a huge role in keeping everything running smoothly for the Bronco Raptor. From pits and logistics to mechanical support, the team worked side-by-side with Ford Racing to keep the Bronco Raptor on pace and on plan. Our media crew also chased sections of the race with a Bronco RTR production vehicle to capture content and bring fans closer to the action. Baja is unpredictable, and having a crew that can adapt on the fly makes all the difference.
Taking the win in the Stock Mid-Size class is a major achievement for Ford Racing and a proud moment for everyone at RTR Vehicles. It highlights the durability and capability of the Bronco Raptor and showcases what a coordinated, passionate team can accomplish at one of the harshest desert races imaginable.
To the drivers, co-drivers, pit crews, engineers, and the entire RTR community following along from home: this win is for you. The energy, support, and passion of the RTR family fuel everything we do. Baja was one incredible ride, and we are already looking forward to the next challenge. Ready to Rock™, always.
