Ford pick-up/snowmobile a chip off the old Block

January 28, 2014 by Alastair Sloane

Ken Block

RaptorTRAX ... can be driven on the street — RaptorTRAX, driven on the street

RaptorTRAX ... 373kW 6.2-litre V8 — RaptorTRAX, 373kW 6.2-litre V8

RaptorTRAX ... on the move — RaptorTRAX, on the move

Hell-raising American rally driver Ken Block has taken charge of what is being called the “ultimate winter assault vehicle.”

The man they call the “tyre-shredder” has got his hands on a snowmobile of sorts – an all-paw Ford F-150 pick-up truck named the RaptorTRAX.

It was developed by Utah-based Hoonigan Racing and Special Vehicle Concepts to tackle some of the world’s most challenging winter terrain.

Block drives for the Hoonigan rally team, when he’s not monkeying around in the snow.

The 47-year-old, who raced a Group N Subaru Impreza WRX in the 2007 Rally of New Zealand, said he had had the RaptorTRAX project in mind for some years.

“It’s an absolute beast of a machine and I’m stoked with how it’s turned out,” he said. “Next up is for me to take it deep into the backcountry ASAP to help me and some friends slay some powder on our snowboards for a video project.”

Under the bonnet is a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine which delivers 373kW to the four rubber tracks in each corner. The tracks were supplied by Mattracks, a Minnesota company.

Other features include snowboard racks, a roof basket, a rear-mounted winch, an exterior stereo setup for playing music, plus plenty of exterior-mounted lighting from Arizona specialist Rigid Industries. Inside, there’s a full roll cage and Recaro racing seats.

Block’s machine is a one-off, although the makers say they will build it to order. The RaptorTRAX is on display at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado.

Block will get behind the wheel on and off the snow for a video of RaptorTRAX in action. The video will be available on-line later this year.

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