The Standard 22 June 2014

8 THE STANDARD STYLE / MAN / WHEELS
June 22 to 28 2014
Fact Jeke
Ranger proves it’s “Built Ford Tough”
Standard production Ranger 3.2 4x4, equipped only with essential safety equipment
Driven by Car magazine associate editor Sudhir Matai, partnered by veteran off-road racer Henri Zermatten
Finished third in Class E in Ford Dealer 400 – 7th round of the Donaldson SA Cross Country Championship held near Thaba Nchu in the Free State
Completed full race distance without incident, despite punishing 350 km route
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 29 October, 2013 – A
standard production Ford Ranger has taken on and
conquered one of the most punishing rounds of the
South African Cross Country Championship, proving
beyond doubt that it lives up to the brand’s reputation
of being “Built Ford Tough”.
The project Ranger Double Cab 3.2 4x4 contested
Class E of the Ford Dealer 400, the 7th round of the local
championship which took place near Thaba Nchu
in the Free State recently.
The vehicle was prepared for the race by veteran
off-road racer Henri Zermatten, and was equipped
with nothing more than the requisite safety equipment,
off-the-shelf 4x4 shock absorbers as well as
improved under-body protection. For the rest, it was
as standard as the Ranger you find on any showroom
floor.
Driven by Car Magazine Associate Editor Sudhir
Matai on his cross country debut, with Zermatten
making his own debut of sorts as a navigator for the
first time, the Ranger completed the race distance of
almost 350 km without any incidents or mechanical
woes – despite the event being recognised as one of
the roughest in the SA championship.
Noted for the exceptionally rocky, mountainous
and totally unforgiving terrain, the punishing route
claimed its fair share of victims during the race, with
18 of the original 60 starters failing to finish.
“I can’t believe that a standard Ranger can withstand
such a beating and come through completely unscathed,”
an elated Matai stated when they crossed the
finish line after no less than 7 hours and 20 min of racing
– in the process claiming 3rd position in Class E.
“Cross country racing is by far the toughest driving
challenge I’ve experienced, and the sheer punishment
on car and driver is unparalleled. It proved,
without doubt that the Ranger truly is one tough vehicle!”
Mark Kaufman, Ford’s Vice President of Marketing,
Sales and Service, commented: “Entering a
stock Ranger into a challenging cross country race
showcases that the Ford Ranger really is ‘Built Ford
Tough’.”
“We undertook this project with every confidence
that the vehicle would finish the race, and we have to
commend Sudhir and Henri for the great job they did
in showing off the Ranger’s abilities, particularly as
the vehicle was prepared in such a short time, and it
was Sudhir’s first cross country event. Despite this,
the team brought the Ranger home in one piece, and
with a medal for third place in Class E to boot.”
Indeed, even the rest of the racing fraternity was
surprised that the standard vehicle was entered in
the first place, never mind completed the race. Matai
was particularly appreciative of the camaraderie,
support and welcoming nature of the organisers and
fellow competitors, and was impressed at the level of
interest shown in the Ranger.
Zermatten was equally enthralled by the Ranger’s
first outing, particularly as he had less than two
weeks to prepare it for the Ford Dealer 400.
The Ranger received a bolt-in roll cage which was
then welded in place, along with the necessary safety
belt and seat mountings, race seats, intercom, as well
as the navigation system comprising a GPS and rally
odometers.
Under the skin it was equipped with a safety wiring
harness with obligatory external kill switch, along
with rock sliders, sump and diff guards and a set of
BF Goodrich All-Terrain race-spec tyres. The only
modification to the suspension was the use of off-theshelf
aftermarket Old Man Emu shock absorbers.
“I’m delighted how the Ranger has performed, as
it has thoroughly impressed despite the incredibly
tough route and the fact that it is completely standard,”
Zermatten said, making his return to cross
country racing after a five-year hiatus due to work
commitments.
“We had a fantastic time, and even used the air-con
for most of the race,” he stated, with some amusement.
“On this event there is simply no room for error,
and although we took it fairly easy while finding
our feet on the prologue and the first 182 km loop, we
were able push much harder next time around and
made up around 12 sec per kilometre on the shortened
122 km second lap.”
Zermatten believes that there is great potential for
a genuine standard production vehicle class in local
cross country racing, particularly with costs spiralling
out of control in the established categories.
“The performance of the standard Ranger in this
difficult race surprised many people and created a
lot of interest. It has certainly proved its mettle and
would be the ideal Class E or the FIA’s Dakar Rallystyle
T1 standard production vehicle for the local
championship.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry
leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or
distributes automobiles across six continents. With
about 180,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide,
the company’s automotive brands include Ford and
Lincoln. The company provides financial services
through Ford Motor Credit Company.
For more information on the company and
about Ford’s products, please visit www.corporate.ford.com
or www.quickpic.co.za for Ford Motor
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