It’s understandable that those unfamiliar with off-road racing might not know the difference between rally raid and desert racing. Yes, they are different disciplines, but there is also a lot of overlap between them.

The Ford Raptor T1+ will be part of that link in August when Mitch Guthrie races it in the Vegas to Reno. Guthrie is no stranger to the V2R, having won the UTV overall in 2025, but this will be the Raptor’s first proper desert race.

Built by Ford Racing and M-Sport, the Raptor currently competes in the World Rally-Raid Championship. Guthrie, normally a Polaris factory driver when back home in America, is part of the Ford roster alongside Carlos Sainz, Mattias Ekström, and Nani Roma, while Raptors are also provided for privateers like Martin Prokop and Kees Koolen.

Guthrie finished 12th in January’s Dakar Rally.

“Having the Ford Raptor T1+ come over and race with us is an incredible opportunity to connect the world of rally-raid racing with American desert racing,” UNLTD head Matt Martelli stated. “The technologies, vehicles, and talent competing on the global stage continue to push the sport forward, and bringing a vehicle of this caliber to Vegas to Reno highlights the worldwide appeal of off-road racing. It’s something that is long overdue, and we hope this is just the beginning of welcoming more international teams and entries to compete in America’s premier desert races in the years ahead.”

Besides fielding the Raptor, Ford is also an official sponsor of the V2R. Other factory Fords set to take part include Brad Lovell and Loren Healy in F-150 Raptors in the Stock Production Truck class, Bailey Campbell in 4600, and Vaughn Gittin Jr. in 4400.

With 2026 being the 30th anniversary of the V2R, it will be run in the opposite direction instead. There will also be the Vegas to Reno Legends Rally as a fun run to prepare for the course on July 16–19.

Until then, Ford has a Raptor at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“We are excited to bring the Ford Raptor T1+ to Vegas to Reno and help connect the worlds of rally-raid racing and American desert racing,” Ford’s North American off-road racing supervisor Kristen Goslawski added. “Ford competes off-road on some of the most challenging terrain around the world, and we welcome opportunities to showcase our vehicles across different racing disciplines. Vegas to Reno is one of the most iconic desert races in North America, and it will be exciting to see the Ford Raptor T1+ take on this legendary challenge and demonstrate its capabilities in a completely new environment.”

Featured image credit: Matteo Gebbia / Edophoto / DPPI / ASO