Ken Block is no stranger to the Ford Motor Company. After all, his 9-to-5 job is to race a rallycross-prepped Focus RS RX. But his relationship with Ford goes even further, having helped the automaker show off the capability of the brutish F-150 Raptor.
Developed with the sole purpose of being the best off-road pickup in the light-duty segment, the F-150 Raptor was demonstrated by the professional rally driver a couple of times now. To the point, once in the inhospitality of winter, and a second time at the Dumont Dunes right outside Death Valley.
On this occasion, however, Mr. Hoonigan put his very own workhorse to the test. Right in front of The Hoonigans’ Donut Garage, Ken came to the conclusion that Toyo’s chunky off-road tires are perfect for a smoke show.
The only problem with pulling a monster burnout in a vehicle as heavy as the F-150 Raptor is, the tread will wear out in no time. Ken’s kids show the extent of the wear after collecting the rubber that tore off during the burnout.
Bearing in mind a set of two Open Country A/T IIs costs something like 600 bucks sans shipping, it’s also pretty damn expensive to light the rears up in a thick cloud of smoke. Still, kudos to Block for proving that the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is capable of doing exactly that... and for entertaining us.
On a tangent, Ford has yet to say anything about the 2018 model year Raptor. As per the wildest of rumors, the 2019 model year will see the Raptor pack V8 muscle in the form of a purported 7.0-liter engine referred to as 7X. A free-breathing Vee-Eight would be a very interesting choice for the off-road pickup, but chances are Ford doesn't plan to veer off the EcoBoost course.
On this occasion, however, Mr. Hoonigan put his very own workhorse to the test. Right in front of The Hoonigans’ Donut Garage, Ken came to the conclusion that Toyo’s chunky off-road tires are perfect for a smoke show.
The only problem with pulling a monster burnout in a vehicle as heavy as the F-150 Raptor is, the tread will wear out in no time. Ken’s kids show the extent of the wear after collecting the rubber that tore off during the burnout.
Bearing in mind a set of two Open Country A/T IIs costs something like 600 bucks sans shipping, it’s also pretty damn expensive to light the rears up in a thick cloud of smoke. Still, kudos to Block for proving that the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is capable of doing exactly that... and for entertaining us.
On a tangent, Ford has yet to say anything about the 2018 model year Raptor. As per the wildest of rumors, the 2019 model year will see the Raptor pack V8 muscle in the form of a purported 7.0-liter engine referred to as 7X. A free-breathing Vee-Eight would be a very interesting choice for the off-road pickup, but chances are Ford doesn't plan to veer off the EcoBoost course.