The association between Ken Block and Subaru is stronger than, well, anything except Travis Pastrana and Subaru (...or Ken Block and DC Shoes). But Block wants to drive in WRC. And Ford wants some help in marketing the Fiesta and the next-generation Focus to you, so well, Block has a deal with Ford now. And Monster.
It's not yet clear exactly how much Block will get to drive during the 2010 WRC season (or whether he might get his feet wet in the P-WRC or J-WRC classes), but he will drive a Focus rally car in some capacity. A USA Today story reports that Rally Mexico on March 7 will be his first race.
"This is the toughest rally championship in the world," Block told USA Today. "It's a big leap, and 2010 is a development year. I'd be in fantasyland to think there'd be a chance of rushing onto any podiums." He then went on to say, though, that he's hoping to be "near or on the podium" by the end of 2011.
Block will also continue in the Rally America series, but this time driving a Ford Fiesta. Come 2011, of course, the World Rally Championship will switch over to the Fiesta, too.
In honor of Block's move to Ford, we've posted our favorite Block video of 2009 after the jump -- the one in which he drives a rear-drive Escort with Chris Atkinson.
IL News: Ford Hooks Up With Rally Driver Ken Block
USA Today via World Rally Sport
rallyandbosox says:
05:36 PM, 01/ 7/10
What an injustice. Pastrana has FOUR CONSECUTIVE RA Championships while Block has ZERO and Block because of available funds gets the drive (not a big surprise there really tho). In fact he has seven victories in five years in Rally America. For him to go to the WRC while drivers like Travis Pastrana and Patrick Richard (yeah, I said it) get left behind is just sad.
However unqualified I think he is for a WRC shot, I still think he's better than Matthew Wilson.
deadviper says:
07:43 PM, 01/13/10
Is it just me, or does he look like the dumbest guy at the bar with all that monster gear on?
deadviper says:
07:44 PM, 01/13/10
Is it just me, or does he look like the dumbest guy at the bar with all that monster gear on?