THEY LEFT THEIR COMPETITION IN THE DUST. Last Friday, August 16, the Ford Bronco lineup delivered a commanding performance at the 2024 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno race, claiming victories across three different classes.
The Ford Bronco DR won Class 8000, Ford Bronco Raptor won Stock Mid-Size Class, and the Ford Bronco took both first and second in the 4600 Stock Class.
Taking the top spots in this annual 550-mile “Best in the Desert” series competition highlights to everyone in the off-road community both the strength and versatility of the Bronco platform, and the Ford Performance commitment to pushing the boundaries of global off-road excellence.
"500 Miles of Dust, Rocks & Glory."
That’s how they describe the Vegas to Reno race on the Best in the Desert Racing Association website. Part of the largest off-road desert racing series in North America, Vegas to Reno is the longest U.S. off-road race, covering 550-miles point-to-point along the western side of Nevada — from Crystal, NV to Dayton, NV. Drivers cross the Mojave Desert to the Great Basin Desert, and encounter some of Nevada's toughest terrain, including rocks, desert straight-aways, hill climbs, and washouts.
Ford Bronco DR Secures Victory in Class 8000
DRIVERS: Brad Lovell (Lovell Racing) and Jason Hutter (Fire Guys Racing)
Leading the charge was the Ford Bronco DR, piloted by Brad Lovell and Jason Hutter. The duo split driving duties over the grueling 550-mile course across Nevada's most punishing terrain, taking top honors in Class 8000, which marked the tenth win for the Ford Performance and Lovell Racing/Fire Guys Racing teams. The DR, powered by a Coyote 5.0 V8, is the first-of-its-kind production and purpose-built off-road desert racing vehicle, available through Multimatic. "Parts are a hundred miles an hour out there," said Hutter at the finish. "There's ditches, there's everything. All the rocks at the end - and this thing just cruised right through all of it. It was bad-ass. What an honor to drive this DR, and to drive with Brad."
Bronco Raptor Claims Top Honors in 7300 Stock Mid-Size Class
DRIVERS: Loren Healy and Vaughn Gittin, Jr. (RTR, Fun-Haver Off-Road)
In the stock mid-size vehicle class, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy took the win with their Bronco Raptor, further solidifying its reputation as the ultimate stock off-road vehicle. The Raptor’s success in Vegas to Reno underscores its capability to tackle the most challenging conditions straight from the factory. The advanced suspension, rugged design, and EcoBoost engine provided Gittin Jr. and Healy a seamless race day to victory.
“The Bronco Raptor is so impressive,” said Gittin Jr. “Considering how stock this Bronco Raptor is and knowing what we threw at it for over 550 miles is a huge testament to the strength, durability and fun that the Bronco platform offers to its customers. We did the entire race in the same Baja Goat mode that I run in my personal Bronco. Earning the win is awesome — but the fun and experience we had while doing it was epic!”
Ford Bronco Dominates 4600 Stock Class
DRIVERS: Bailey Cole (FIRST); John Williams III (SECOND)
Bailey Cole’s first-place finish in the 4600 stock class with his JEGS 4600 Ford Bronco capped off a strong day for Ford Performance and Bronco. Cole’s expert wheeling, paired with the Bronco's capabilities, were instrumental in securing the win. John Williams III and the Ford Performance Racing School 4600 Bronco finished second.
The Bronco Platform is a Definite Winner.
From the purpose-built Bronco DR to the stock-class Bronco Raptor and 4600 Ford Bronco, the Best in the Desert race showcased how the Bronco’s off-road DNA translates seamlessly from the production line to the podium, and across the entire Bronco lineup. Whether you are getting behind the wheel to tackle some trails on a weekend adventure or experience the adrenaline rush of a desert race, Bronco owners everywhere can experience the same rugged capability that wins races like Vegas to Reno.
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