Instead of signing over a big check, Raptor-driving philanthropist gives his friends an entertaining off-road spectacle.
According to Google, a philanthropist is “a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.” But there are many ways to give to others. YouTuber Robert Wojtow used his Ford F-150 SVT Raptor to provide his friends the gift of entertainment.
That’s how it is when you have a cool vehicle. Do you own a Mustang GT and catch some kid in your neighborhood eyeing it every time you go out to your driveway? Fire it up and rev it. We guarantee it’ll make their day. Do you have an F-150 Lightning and a friend who needs some cheering up? Take them out for a fast drive to put a smile on their face.
Wojtow has a 2013 Raptor SuperCrew with the mighty 6.2-liter V8 up front. Like most Raptors out there, his has a few mods on it, including a throttle response controller, an upgraded intake, a tune, and electric exhaust cutouts to let out more of the Boss engine’s sound. During a get-together with some friends, he decides to put on a show. Luckily, there’s a water pit nearby. Instinctively, he points the Raptor’s nose toward it and powers through it. Instead of slamming on the brakes right before hitting the bank on the other side, he adds more throttle. The front of his truck launches into the air and both ends of the Raptor come down hard. Wojtow’s antics cause two onlookers to blurt out obscenities and another to slip and fall as Wojtow thunders past him.
After serving up a couple of muddy donuts, Wojtow heads back to the muddy waters, sending up plumes of grayish brown muck. This time when he comes out the other side, he goes for a show-stopping exit. And boy does he get it. His front air dam gets a few feet into the air before the entire front end slams down. The impact is so severe that the back end also leaves the earth before crashing down just as violently.
Based on the reactions we were able to hear, at least a couple of Wojtow’s friends enjoyed his display of the Raptor’s athleticism and toughness. We can only imagine the four-letter words that are going to fly once he beefs up his suspension.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
