Monday 18th March 2013

SVT Raptor at the 'Ring: Time For Tea?

Tanner Foust hits the Nurburgring - in a jacked-up pickup truck...

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So, you’re Tanner Foust and Ford’s been asking you to help out at Lommel. You’ve got a couple of days off, so what do you do? Head across the border to the Nurburgring, naturally. And what do you take? Maybe the new Fiesta ST, or a Focus, perchance?

Just the ticket for lapping the 'Ring...

Well, no, actually. As you’ll see in this video, Foust’s opted to take to the ’Ring in of the biggest, most inappropriate things Ford makes – the SVT Raptor. Based on the F150, the Raptor is more about driving unstoppably quickly up the side of a mountain than tackling the complex twists, turns and undulations of the Green Hell. So watching it wobble around corners, kicking its tail out and leaving dirty great black lines behind it is good fun. It is a case of ‘less talky, more slidey’ though, as although Tanner’s undoubtedly an interesting chap to hear from, far too little of the clip is devoted to actual on-track action. Which is a pity, really, as the Raptor looks like an absolute hoot. So go on Ford - let's have a 'sequel' video which shows us the whole lap!

 

 

[wst]

Tanner... the two fingers are meant to go the other way around when you wave them at people...

(Oh, and for the sake of the occasional bean, the above is what is called a joke.)

Edited by wst on Monday 18th March 17:13

[Dr G]

Looks like a 14 year old has run the whole video through Instagram, shame

[The Danimal]

wst said:

Tanner... the two fingers are meant to go the other way around when you wave them at people...

Just what I was thinking. If he'd have done that to some of the 'kids' 'round here, they would have dragged him out and stolen his quirky cap.

[PascalBuyens]

I thought short term/dealer plates weren't allowed on the Ring????

[DanielSan]

I want to see the whole lap!!! Tanner Foust is definitely becoming America's Tiff Needell. There doesn't seem to be anything he can't get it and drive a)very very quickly and b) very very sideways.

[mrclav]

wst said:

Tanner... the two fingers are meant to go the other way around when you wave them at people...

Depends where you're from - in the US flashing the V sign showing the back of the hand has a completely different meaning to doing so the UK. Seeing as there are over 315 million Americans in comparison to just over 63 million Brits one could argue that we're are doing it the wrong way around.

But of course, having intelligence, being well-read and having travelled, you'd know that.

[300bhp/ton]

Nice article, thanks.

BTW, just a heads up re:

Piston Heads said:

Raptor is more about driving unstoppably quickly up the side of a mountain than tackling the complex twists, turns and undulations

The Raptor is not really designed for climbing mountains, it is intended as a factory spec desert racer to be used in the wide expanse at places like Baja and the like. Off road speed and handling are it's key points, not Defender/Wrangler beating rock crawling ability.

[300bhp/ton]

Was there a lap time for this?? I know physics are against it for a good time, but would be interesting to know how quick it could get round the circuit.

[405dogvan]

mrclav said:

Seeing as there are over 315 million Americans in comparison to just over 63 million Brits one could argue that we're are doing it the wrong way around.

There are a lot more flies than humans, that doesn't mean spending all day looking for st is suddenly something we should all join-in with either...

[MentalRental]

Baseball cap! You could get away with wearing your cowboy hat in that.

[300bhp/ton]

MentalRental said:

Baseball cap! You could get away with wearing your cowboy hat in that.

Because that wouldn't be stereotyping would it...

[CSLmarson]

yea im sure some nonsy yank in a 14yr olds hat driving a slow poorly build bus really was the most popular man on the ring that day.

[JREwing]

CSLmarson said:

yea im sure some nonsy yank in a 14yr olds hat driving a slow poorly build bus really was the most popular man on the ring that day.

Is this a joke?

[NGK210]

DanielSan said:

... Tanner Foust is definitely becoming America's Tiff Needell...

...But, mercifully, minus the ham, gurning and annoying nasal voice.

IMHO, Foust's TG USA late-night hoon through LA in a GT2 RS is always worth a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF0mqfuuQv8

[MentalRental]

300bhp/ton said:

Because that wouldn't be stereotyping would it...

Of all the people that may offend?

[loomx]

Has anyone seen one of the latest Top Gear US episodes, where they make their own Taxis, and Tanner drives the MP4-12C, and then races it against a Nascar. One of the best Top Gear episodes ever! UK or US. Plus it was one hell of a pro McLaren episode.

Edited by loomx on Monday 18th March 16:53

[astra la vista]

mrclav said:

in the US flashing the V sign showing the back of the hand has a completely different meaning to doing so the UK.

go on then...tell us what it means.

[astra la vista]

DanielSan said:

Tanner Foust is definitely becoming America's Tiff Needell.

great driver with daft name.

yeah, i see your point.

[Antj]

this was last easter, he was being followed on a few laps by the CRV that flipped it at eiskurve

[MattDell]

astra la vista said:

mrclav said:

in the US flashing the V sign showing the back of the hand has a completely different meaning to doing so the UK.

go on then...tell us what it means.

It means the same thing both ways around. Peace.