Neil Woolridge Motorsport, with the Ford Ranger, had great success in the 2023 season. Now, the team needs to defend the overall production vehicle and class titles and to do so, they have unveiled a brand new Ford Ranger for the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC).
Not only does the new model incorporate a new design and improved aerodynamics, but it also has a new livery to show off some of the new sponsors and partners involved in the upcoming 2024 SARRC championship. One area that hasn't changed over the last 23 years at NWM is that they are still using a Ford to compete.
Related: Ford shines bright in the rain
New Ford Ranger
Firstly, noticeable on the new NWM Ford Ranger is that the front now resembles the new standard Ford Ranger production model, featuring the same headlights and c-shaped LED daytime running lights. These flank the popular new grille adorned proudly with the Ford badge.
NWM focused on the overall aerodynamics, cooling, and off-road capabilities. The more aggressive front offers more space for the technicians but also allows more cool air to reach the radiators and intercoolers. Special vents have also been incorporated into the new bonnet to allow better airflow through the front.
The front arches have also been widened and have channels built into the design to direct air to the front dampers for cooling and, ultimately, better damping performance over longer distances. A similar approach is taken for the rear dampers as the rear of the cabin tapers in, drawing air into channels directed to the rear suspension components and dampers.
The wider and taller wheel arches on each corner also allow the 76mm diameter damper to travel up 350mm for better off-road performance. NWM also improved on the approach and departure angles at the front and rear of the Ranger to allow for higher speeds to be maintained even on rougher terrain.
The engine remains largely the same and takes shape as a twin-turbocharged, 3.5-litre, V6 petrol motor delivering 265 kW as per the regulations. This allows the Ranger to reach the regulated top speed of 170 km/h in little time, and with better finetuning of the control software, less time is lost as the vehicle maintains a speed close to the regulated limit more accurately.
Overall, the new design not only looks more aggressive but is also better for reliability due to better cooling and, due to the lower bonnet, gives the pilots a better view of the terrain ahead.
NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team Partners
As alluded to earlier, the livery of the Ford Ranger Ultimate is also new, as new partners have joined the operation. The new primary partner is Shell, a lubricant and fuel producer that has a rich history in motorsport across the globe.
“As Shell Downstream South Africa, we are honoured to be a partner to the iconic global Ford brand that has been present in South Africa for over 100 years and which also mirrors our longstanding Shell presence in South Africa. Our partnership contributes to innovation, social and economic development of South Africa. Through this partnership, we are looking forward to unlocking greater opportunities for the country,” says Nazareth Tekeste, General Manager of Lubricants for Shell Downstream South Africa.
But that is not all, joining Ford Credit, Mastercraft and Würth as secondary partners is the NTN Corporation, a bearing and CV joint manufacturer. In addition, the team gets to sport new "vellies" and leather belts wherever they compete with Veldskoen as the official footwear partner.
Remaining in place as technical parters are Brembo, Motorcraft, Ironman 4x4, Shatterprufe and Tiger Wheel & Tyre, while Sapphire remain the official licensed clothing and merchandise supplier for Ford and the NWM team.
2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship Schedule
The new NWM Ford Ranger "Ultimate" will compete for the first time in the Nkomazi 400, which will take place in Malalane, Mpumalanga, on 19 and 20 April. Thereafter the schedule for the season looks as follows:
| Round | Date | Event | Venue |
| 1 | 19-20 April | Nkomazi 400 | Malalane, Mpumalanga |
| 2 | 24-25 May | Vryheid 400 | Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 3 | 21-23 June | TGRSA Marathon Race | Thabazimbi Region, Limpopo |
| 4 & 5 | 16-17 August | Parys 400 | Parys, Free State |
| 6 | 13-14 September | Free State 400 | Welkom, Free State |
| 7 | 8-9 November | Gauteng 400 | Rayton/Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng |
*Note that this table was correct at the time of writing this article, however, can change at any moment and without notice.
