Ford Bronco R Crosses The Baja 1000 Finish Line

Last year's Baja 1000 grueling off-road endurance race didn't go as planned for Ford, whose entry was a heavily modified prototype Bronco R. The vehiclefailed to finishthe race in part because of a rushed build time which didn't allow for proper pre-race testing. However, followinglast Friday's announcementregarding the Bronco R's second Baja 1000 attempt this year, it can now officially be reported the vehicle completed the race.

Piloted by Cameron Steele and Shelby Hall, the Bronco R Prototype competed in the Class 2 category and roared across the Mexican desert finish line in just over 32 hours. Co-drivers included Johnny Campbell, Curt LeDuc, and Jason Scherer.

Like the regularFord Bronco, the Bronco R is powered by a stock 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford used this opportunity to test out the SUV's Bronco Built Wild Extreme Testing durability regimen. Final calibrations were also done for the Terrain Management System's Baja Mode.

"When Bronco returned (to Baja) we said it would follow in the legacy of the first-generation Broncos that forever changed the off-road landscape - and today's finish demonstrates we're continuing the 'Built Wild' pedigree of Bronco," said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance motorsports.