American cross country driver Bailey Cole and Thai co-driver Sinoppong Trairat drove the Ford Ranger Raptor Diesel to victory in the T2A (production) class of the Asia Cross Country Rally 2025 earlier this month.
The event was held from August 9-16 in Pattaya, Khaoyai and Prachin Buri, covering 3,200kms in total.
After completing the opening leg in Prachin Buri, the Ford duo delivered top-notch performance to get into the lead after the second leg, despite extreme heat and stormy conditions.
This lead was shortlived, as the third and fourth legs saw the Ford truck’s position falling. But eventually Cole and Sinoppong in the No.142 Raptor took back the leading position and maintained it to clinch victory in the T2A class as well as finishing in third position overall.
“This is the first time that I’m competing in an Asian-level race,” he said. “The challenging terrain is different from what I am used to, and I’m very excited to finish first in the T2A class.”
Sinoppong added, “I am very happy and honored to navigate for a world-class driver like Bailey and to win together.”
The other Ford Raptor truck belongs to Michael Freeman and Chaiya Chommalee, who led after the first leg, but eventually fell to sixth place in T2A and 25 overall.
Ford Thailand managing director Ratthakarn Jutasen said, “This success reflects the hard-working team spirit, Ford factory engineers, technicians, drivers and navigators working in perfect harmony.”
“This, combined with the support of the Ford Performance team, including information sharing and the addition of world-class racer Bailey Cole, led to a stunning first-place finish, demonstrating to motorsport fans and Ford enthusiasts that the Ford Ranger Raptor is a vehicle that truly proves its strength,” he concluded.
