Ford Performance and M-Sport Ltd. have announced the first non-factory, privately entered driver and team for the Ford Raptor T1+ in the form of renowned Czech driver Martin Prokop and his Orlen Jipocar team.
Prokop has been a long-time supporter of Ford, a brand ambassador for Ford Czechia since 2010, and most recently has been campaigning in the FIA W2RC Championship, where he has delivered consistently impressive results.
Prokop and co-driver Viktor Chytka will take delivery of the Ford Raptor T1+ in June 2025 and immediately get to work preparing the car for their first outing at the Rallye du Maroc in October 2025. From there, the team will gear up for an assault on the FIA W2RC Championship, including the legendary Dakar rally in 2026 as well as 2027. In Dakar, Prokop will join the four other Ford Performance factory Raptor T1+ vehicles to form an impressive lineup of Raptors to take on the Arabian Peninsula and all its challenges.
“I have been a long-time supporter and admirer of all that Ford Performance is doing around the world,” said Martin Prokop. “I’ve been partnering with the national sales company in Czechia for the last 15 years, and this opportunity is beyond my wildest dreams.
“This opportunity is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Martin Prokop, Czech driver
He continued: “Having already had a short experience in the Raptor T1+, I believe this is going to be an incredible opportunity for myself and Viktor. I am so grateful to Ford Performance and M-Sport for giving us the chance to take delivery of this beast of a race car, and I hope to repay their faith with some strong results in the coming years.”
Reaping the Rewards of Well-Laid Plans
For Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance, this opportunity is further proof of the strategy for customer racing that has been in place for some time.
The strategy is already reaping rewards in the global Mustang racing arena as Ford continues to build on the ladder of customer racing opportunity through series such as Mustang Cup, Mustang Challenge, Mustang GT4, and the ultimate expression of Mustang racing, the GT3 that recently took the honors in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
“We race at Ford with a clear set of objectives, and one of those is to build a thriving and sustainable business at Ford Performance,” said Rushbrook. “Having Martin as our first privateer for the Ford Raptor T1+ not only shows how we are expanding this business opportunity, but brings the added advantage of a serious and talented competitor. I can’t wait to see what Martin and Viktor can do over the coming years.”
Martin Prokop has long enjoyed support from the local Ford sales company in his native Czech Republic, but he has also been a regular on the World Rally Championship (WRC) scene, where he first caught the eye of Malcolm Wilson OBE, Managing Director of M-Sport Ltd.
“Martin and I go way back, so it is great to see him get this chance in the Ford Raptor T1+,” said Wilson. “I know how talented he is — not just in WRC, but also in FIA Rally Raid events — and I think he is going to be a valuable asset to us as we take on Dakar again next year and beyond. I can’t think of a better person to be the first privateer for this amazing program.”
