2010 FORD F150 SVT RAPTOR R CAPTURES PODIUM FINISH; PRICING ANNOUNCED

    *  F150 SVT Raptor R finishes "Terrible’s 250" 2nd in Class 8000; the second impressive finish for the production-based race truck
    * 2010 F150 SVT Raptor to have a base MSRP of $38,995 (including destination and delivery)

The "Terrible’s 250" race saw the running of the F150 SVT Raptor R for the second time this season in the Best In The Desert race series. The F150 SVT Raptor R completed the approximately 220-mile loop race in the Nevada desert in 6:08:30.000, finishing 2nd in Class 8000. The F150 SVT Raptor R is currently in 2nd place in Class 8000 after two races in the 2009 season.

As a way of thanking the off-road community for their support of Raptor since its debut, participants and enthusiast spectators were given pricing details of the highly-anticipated 2010 F150 SVT Raptor during the pre-race driver’s meeting on Friday, April 17. The 2010 F150 SVT Raptor with a 320-horsepower 5.4-liter V-8 engine will have a MSRP of $38,995 (destination & delivery included) when it arrives in dealer showrooms in summer 2009. An optional all-new 6.2-liter V-8 will start at $41,995 (destination & delivery included) when it becomes available later this winter.

"The F150 SVT Raptor presents a remarkable value for a performance truck of this caliber," said Mark Grueber, Ford Truck Marketing Manager. "Many off-road insiders and enthusiasts were expecting a base MSRP above $50,000 for the amount of unique components, technology, and performance the F150 SVT Raptor offers."

Following the exciting pricing news on Friday night, the F150 SVT Raptor R ran a near-flawless race on Saturday. The team had to replace a new drive shaft that was being tested with an OEM unit during the first lap of the three lap race. After the change was made, there were no other issues with the truck.

Drivers included veteran off-road champions and Baja winners Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges, and celebrity race driver Linsey Weenk, who normally drives the Built Ford Tough "Blue Thunder" Monster Truck. Linsey’s impressive resume consists of 14 wins in the Monster Jam series, winning "Most Improved Driver" in 2006. Linsey’s "Blue Thunder" team also took "Team of the Year" honors in 2006 and 2007.

"It was an honor to come out here to drive the Raptor R. I had a great time," said Linsey. He continued, "The truck was great. I’m told it’s fairly stock with a few modifications, and for the F150 SVT Raptor to be able to do this, and still be able to tow an RV, that’s pretty impressive." Linsey drove in the second of three laps with Rob MacCachren riding as navigator.

Driver Steve Olliges started the race in the F150 SVT Raptor R, and was able to take advantage of the all-new 6.2-liter V8 engine. "The start was set up as a drag race, and the guy next to me was no match. I lit up the rear tires and took off, and we never looked back," stated Olliges. "We left our suspension close to stock to prove what Raptor is capable of, which gives our heavily modified competition the advantage in bumps and turns. But the power our engine produces allows us to make up ground on the faster sections."

Rob MacCachren finished the race, and brought the F150 SVT Raptor R to the podium in its third consecutive race appearance. "I’d like to do a swap with Linsey sometime and drive his Monster Truck in a race," joked MacCachren. "I knew that with every lap, the course was going to get rougher and rougher. The truck was absolutely solid, and the fans were cheering us on right to the end."

Raptor R also had another celebrity race driver get behind the wheel this past weekend. Ford Racing NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who is a big truck and off-road fan, took Raptor R for a pre-run two days before the race to get some experience behind the wheel of a production-based off-road race truck.

The first race for the Ford F150 SVT Raptor R race truck was the 2008 SCORE Tecate Baja 1000, where it finished 3rd in Class 8. The F150 SVT Raptor R is run to test the durability and performance of the production F150 SVT Raptor. Prepared for racing in long distance off-road endurance events, the Ford F150 SVT Raptor R uses stock components of F150 SVT Raptor, including the transmission, brakes and axles.

The frame ¬- the part of the truck that will take the most stress – is the same proven fully boxed frame that delivers class-leading towing and hauling in the all-new 2009 Ford F150 that went on sale in October. The Raptor race truck is powered by a specially-calibrated version of the available 6.2-liter V-8 engine, making 500-horsepower.

The Ford F150 SVT Raptor R in the Baja 1000 also served as a test bed for the development of a lineup of race-proven, desert-tested, off-road performance parts that will be available through the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog.

Options that will be available on F150 SVT Raptor right from the factory include an Interior Accent Package with orange seat inserts and interior trim ($395), a Luxury Package that includes such amenities as leather 10-way power heated front sport seats and power adjustable pedals ($1,950), and an exterior Graphics Package ($1,075). Further pricing details will be available closer to the summer 2009 launch.

For the latest information, video, and photos of the 2010 F150 SVT Raptor, please visit www.fordvehicles.com/f150raptor.