Ken Block to campaign a Ford Focus next season in WRC

Discussion in 'Motorsports Chat & Race Preparation' started by Nathan, Jan 6, 2010.

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    Ken Block has forsaken Subaru and will campaign a Ford Focus next season in the World Rally Championship and a Fiesta in Rally America and the X Games.

    This is an impressive addition for Ford's rallying efforts internationally. The Blue Oval has won three WRC titles, but an American has never run a full season in the grueling series.

    Enter Block, the cofounder of DC Shoes, who is a three-time medalist in the X Games and who was the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year.

    The moves comes as Ford prepares to launch the 2011 Fiesta and the 2012 Focus, and Block is sure to drum up publicity for the performance potential of the small cars.

    He's been successful at that so far, as his gymkhana videos have become YouTube icons.

    Block said 2010 will be a "developmental year" for him, and he is optimistic that he can be more competitive in the following seasons after developing his skills.

    “I am stoked to be rallying in a Ford. They are an impressive force in the sport,†Block said. “From the days of the 1970s Escorts to the Group B RS200 to the modern-day Focus and now the Fiesta, Ford just does an excellent job at rally, and I couldn't be happier to now be part of this amazing heritage. Not to mention my dad would be proud. He was a dedicated Ford guy.
     
  2. Deviant

    Deviant Banned

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    I hope this gets Ford to bring the fun models over here with Block drumming up the publicity, kinda like how they used Vaughn Gittin Jr. in some of their Mustang ads.
     
  3. the ford focus's are actually raelly good rally cars.
    im sure regardless of car, ken block will dominate the course.
    he's an awesome driver nonetheless

    maybe...
    he'll make a gymkhana with a ford focus
    lol
     
  4. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Oh, I don't know about all that. WRC seems to be a beast of a different kind. Going from one racing discipline to another is always challenging and I am sure WRC is even more so. Nonetheless, now that WRC is available for broadcast (and I hope they continue it next season) it will be fun to watch.
     
  5. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Now that is cool!

    Wonder which rallies he will run?
     
  6. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Same ones as Kimi, I am sure. :devil:
     
  7. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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  8. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    My wife and I were just discussing the lack of an American in the WRC and the reasons behind it. I told her that either Block or Pastrana would get the call, even though there are more talented drivers stateside (just none as famous). We had this chat New Year's Eve....there was a show on HD Theater called 'Daring Drives' - basically the ten most impressive performances in WRC over its history.
     
  9. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    I watched that. It was good. I am sure just like F1, WRC is dependent on sponsor money a driver can bring to the seat on top of his talent.
     
  10. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    From what I can tell it will be a new WRC team sponsored by the Monster Energy drink.
     
  11. mike@MynesTuned

    mike@MynesTuned New Member

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    that's awesome. Those AWD Turbo Fiesta are soo bad a$$... watched the last X-games and the Fiestas basically cleaned out the Evo and STi's (which i'm partial to, btw)... but those souped up Fiesta earned their spots on the podium.

    I wish Ford would bring some more of their bad a$$ cars to the states... they have some many nice looking cars in Europe that are not available to the US consumers :(
     
  12. Tüls

    Tüls New Member

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    If they would bring the RS over here as is not some wanna be cheeze ball version it would be a huge hit.. yea it would kill the mustang.. but uhhhh it's a better car!!!
     

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