UNITED KINGDOM - American off-road racing ace Mitch Guthrie Jr will be joining the Ford Performance team for the 2025 Dakar Rally, along with co-driver Kellon Walch. Guthrie, a King of the Hammers champion, Baja 1000 class winner and UTV racing standout, will pilot the Ford Raptor T1+ in one of the toughest motorsport challenges on the planet. Guthrie’s strong competition history includes dominating performances in short course off-road racing and desert racing events, as well as stage wins at Dakar. The 2025 Dakar Rally will mark Guthrie’s T1 class debut in the iconic event, where he will test his skills and the Raptor T1+ in the most extreme off-road conditions.

Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance 
“We’re excited to welcome Mitch Guthrie to the Ford Performance family.  The difficult terrain and conditions in off-road racing demand everything from a driver and Mitch’s achievements speak for themselves. He will be a great addition to the team, and we can’t wait to see him push the limits of the Ford Raptor T1+ as we take on one of the most gruelling races on the planet in Dakar.”  

Mitch Guthrie Jr
"Since I was younger, I’ve always been interested in Ford. Originally, when I was going to school and before I could even drive, I saw the Raptor come out and it was my dream car. Eventually, thankfully, I was able to buy one in 2019. I still have it and still really enjoy it. Ford is such a well-known brand and synonymous with the United States, so that was of course a dream of mine to be part of the brand. To now be in the T1+ category, driving for Ford...it’s all coming full circle and is really a dream come true for me. I’m really excited to be part of the Ford family.”

FORD PERFORMANCE IN OFF-ROAD:
Ford Performance competes in legendary events like Dakar, Baja 1000, King of the Hammers, and more with two goals: to win, and to make better products. These extreme races offer a test bed in the harshest conditions that help push the boundaries of innovation and durability. By competing in the most demanding competitions on the planet, Ford ensures that the lessons learned directly improve the production vehicles consumers rely on, delivering unmatched off-road capability, toughness, and performance.