We are the cavalry in times of distress.
When a crash occurs and the dust rises, the IMSA AMR Rapid Response Team is the immediate shield — the calm in the eye of an adrenaline-fueled hurricane.
Every single member of this team has earned the right to stand here because they are unwavering.
They perform under pressures most people will never experience. And I am proud to say that the *Ford F-150 Raptor Rapid Response vehicle shares the same distinction in our program.
It isn't just a truck to us; it is a vital member of our crew.
When we suit up, we wear our uniforms with immense pride. Behind our helmets are the faces the drivers recognize in their most vulnerable moments.
They might not know our names by heart — or even at al — but when we arrive, we provide a familiar, reassuring presence to counter the terrifying chaos of a racetrack incident.
To build this shield, we have recruited quick-twitch minds from the front lines of emergency services: elite firefighters, fire chiefs, paramedics, and even a forensic crime scene investigator.
We are people who look danger in the eye and don't blink.
“We hold our equipment to the same standard we demand of ourselves. Failure is simply not an option.”Roy Spielmann, Senior Manager, IMSA Track Services
Because when an incident happens, the clock starts ticking. It doesn't stop, and it doesn't show mercy.
It is our solemn duty to make contact with these drivers in a matter of seconds, pulling them to safety and mitigating the extreme risks inherent to the sport we love.
I trust every single person on my team with my life, and I would not trade a single one of them. Nor would I trade this Ford F-150 Raptor — because when a life hangs in the balance, every fraction of a second counts.
We hold our equipment to the same standard we demand of ourselves. Failure is simply not an option.
The F-150 Raptor gives us a unique, agile capability to navigate North America’s busiest race paddocks with speed and care.
In a world defined by state-of-the-art racing performance, the Raptor matches that spirit with the muscle to haul our heavy gear and the suspension to glide over trackside terrain without losing an ounce of speed.
To prepare us for the unexpected, Ford Racing graciously invited us to the unforgiving deserts of Moab, Utah, for the F-150 Raptor Assault experience. It was breathtaking.
Pushing these trucks to their absolute limits in the wilderness gave us a level of confidence that is invaluable when we are called to action. We learned that the jagged rocks of Moab translate directly to the high banks of Daytona; the shifting sand dunes prepare us for the deep gravel traps of our marquee road courses.
When a race car is circulating under caution, we must find the most efficient path to the scene. Often, that means throwing the truck off the tarmac and into precarious, uneven terrain.
We need to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that our vehicle can handle the drop. The Raptor does, time and time again. Even fully loaded with heavy lifesaving gear — or towing an immobilized race car off the hot track — it does not hesitate.
We’ve modified these trucks for pure, rapid utility. We removed the tailgate for instant access to our skid unit, which houses a 30-gallon Enforcer system to battle Class A, B, and C fires.
Nestled beside it is our heavy-duty Holmatro Rescue Equipment, ready to cut and spread metal to free a trapped driver.
Ford’s relentless pursuit of performance aligns perfectly with our lifesaving mentality: we cannot consolidate our equipment, and we will never cut corners when a life is on the line.
For the team members who couldn't make the journey to Utah, they experienced the same rigorous preparation at Sebring International Raceway.
The Raptor Off-Road Experience allowed our crew to feel the truck’s raw capability on a closed course under professional instruction. They returned to their trackside duties with massive smiles on their faces, carrying a newfound assurance that this truck can handle the absolute limit — just like we must when the red flag flies.
It’s incredible to see how many race teams and drivers approach our Raptors in the paddock in absolute awe. The aesthetics are fierce, but the true beauty of these machines is how they perform when called upon.
When the alarm sounds, we go.
Armed with the best team in the world and the ultimate rapid response machine, we are ready for whatever the track throws at us.
Roy Spielmann is Senior Manager at IMSA Track Services .
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