F1 Driver vs Drift King - Liam Lawson & Mad Mike with Utemaster and Red Bull

The Rural Rumble

When Red Bull calls and asks if you want to put your gear into a motorsport showdown between Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson and drift legend Mad Mike Whiddett, the answer is pretty simple.

Absolutely.

Set on a remote Kiwi farm, the Rural Rumble was Red Bull’s idea of a proper motorsport playground, bringing together some of New Zealand’s most exciting drivers for a series of unpredictable challenges.

But for us at Utemaster, the moment it really started to feel real was the day the ute came back from the wrap shop. The Ford Ranger Raptor had just been wrapped and prepped for the shoot, and suddenly the countdown was on. The event was locked in, the course was being built, and the excitement around the workshop kicked up a gear.

This wasn’t just another content shoot. This was Liam Lawson and Mad Mike going head-to-head in a paddock, and our ute was right in the middle of it.

Shoulder-Tapping the Crew

Naturally, we weren’t about to watch this one from behind a screen.

A quick shoulder tap to a couple of the Utemaster lads was all it took to round up a crew for the day. Watching two Kiwi motorsport legends battle it out on a farm paddock? They didn’t need much convincing.

The crew jumped at the chance.

The crew delivered the Utemaster Raptor, help set up a few bits around the course, and make sure everything was ready to go before the cameras started rolling.

When the Racing Started

Once the drivers got behind the wheel, things escalated pretty quickly.

Between the speed, the sideways driving, and a few ambitious racing lines, it didn’t take long before a few hay bales made a break for freedom and scattered across the course.

Safe to say the paddock didn’t stay tidy for long.

But watching two of New Zealand’s best drivers send it across the farm, mud flying, engines screaming, and the Ranger Raptor right in the thick of it - made for a pretty unforgettable day.

Hay fed-out. Farmers job done.

Check out the race:

Credit to @RedBullMotorsports.

IT'S YOUR TURN TO BUILD WHAT MATTERS

Let’s face it - getting your ute dialled in can be a challenge.

The Ford Ranger Raptor used in the Rural Rumble featured the Utemaster TrailCore tray, built to handle tough environments while keeping gear organised, secure, and ready to go.

If you're looking to build a setup that works as hard as you do, explore the TrailCore range below.

TrailCore Range