To demonstrate the toughness and durability of the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor, Ford has decided to enter its newest truck in a grueling off-road racing series. It is set to compete in the 2016 Best in the Desert off-road racing series in the factory stock division.

"The all-new Raptor has the DNA of a Baja race truck, with a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension that enables it to travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer for Ford Performance.

Its performance in the competition will allow the truck to showcase its ability to take on all kinds of road conditions – even the very toughest of terrains.

The Raptor race truck entering the competition is mostly stock, meaning it is the same version that will be sold to the general public this fall. The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor was built using high-strength and military-grade aluminum alloy for the body and high-strength steel for the frame. It was made with more durable materials compared to its predecessor. It is also six inches wider than the F-150 truck, giving it more stability during off-road excursions.

It will be powered by Ford's all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers up to 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 10-speed transmission. The truck also features a new torque-on-demand transfer case to manage power distribution between the wheels.

"Without custom technology or other modifications, this all-new Raptor is ready to prove the toughness and performance in the Best in the Desert series," said Greg Foutz, Ford truck builder and race truck driver.

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor only features modifications that allow it to take on rough off-road conditions. Some of the modifications include race-optimized front and rear springs for added ground clearance, a customized roll-cage, MasterCraft seats with five-point harnesses and window nets and LED light bars.

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is scheduled to enter six races starting this February and lasting until December. To see the Raptor truck in action, check out the schedule of races here.

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will arrive at dealers by fall 2016.