Block secures Ford WRC deal

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I thought it was already confirmed but guess not:

Block secures Ford WRC deal

By David Evans Wednesday, January 6th 2010, 17:22 GMT


Ken Block's deal to contest selected rounds of the World Rally Championship has been confirmed, with the American's programme expected to start from round three in Mexico.

AUTOSPORT broke the story of Block's hopes to drive a Ford Focus RS WRC in the 2010 championship last year, but it took until today before the agreement between Block and sponsor Monster Energy could be announced.

The American rallying and extreme sports star warned that it would take him time to get up to speed in the WRC.

"Racing in the World Rally Championship has always been a dream of mine but I'd still be dreaming if I promised podiums in the near future," said Block. "I will be going head-to-head with the greatest drivers on the planet. And sure, I will be giving it my all but my main objective for 2010 is to develop into a competitive driver for 2011 and beyond."

Monster Energy president Mark Hall said he was delighted to be joining Block in the new venture.

"A radically extreme form of motorsport with supremely talented drivers who compete on gravel, asphalt, snow and ice really mirrors everything we are about," he said. "For that reason Monster Energy is pleased to join Ken Block in the formation of the Monster Energy World Rally Team.

"Factoring in that Ken will be chasing the 2010 Rally America Championship Series, a Gold Medal at X Games XVI while continuing to scheme-up new videos and mind-altering stunts, Monster couldn't have a finer ambassador in our new venture into rally."

M-Sport will prepare the Focus for Block and chairman of the Cumbrian firm Malcolm Wilson said: "It is great news that Ken will be joining the WRC and even better that it will be with Ford.

"Ken has been instrumental in elevating the public awareness of rallying throughout the world with his multimedia exploits, particularly in the US, which is a key global market and an area where WRC has yet to reach its full potential.

"Ken's appearance in the WRC and his desire to compete toe-to-toe at the highest level is indicative of the determination and drive that he has exhibited in all areas of his life to date - be it in business or personal targets. Ken is a colourful character with a huge international fan base and his decision to appear in the WRC is warmly welcomed."

Former factory Subaru driver Chris Atkinson had been expected to join Block in a two-car Monster Ford team this season, but there has been no announcement about the Australian's plans yet.
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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80754
 
rypt said:
Pastrana has won Rally USA multiple times, while Block has never won it ... and in fact has DNFed mostly
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And yet when Pastrana competed in the WRC he got WALKED over. Multiple times.

He is probably better than Block on a rally stage (Going on the fact that he has beaten Ken numerous time in Rally America and been champ etc) but that only means Ken is going to do even worse when he finally puts rubber to rock in the WRC. Should be interesting and I'd quite like him to be competitive but I don't see it happening.
 
Alex_6n2 said:
And yet when Pastrana competed in the WRC he got WALKED over. Multiple times.

He is probably better than Block on a rally stage (Going on the fact that he has beaten Ken numerous time in Rally America and been champ etc) but that only means Ken is going to do even worse when he finally puts rubber to rock in the WRC. Should be interesting and I'd quite like him to be competitive but I don't see it happening.
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Yer, I said that multiple times - Block is not as good as people make him out to be
 
I don't really understand why he's bothering - it's not going to prove anything at all. Look at the competition.

Citroën Total World Rally Team
BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team
Citroën Junior Team
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Ten years ago, yes. But the WRC these days is reduced to Loeb running around winning everything (because there's no competition) while the FIA try desperately to beat some last few bucks out of a horse that's so past dead it's rotting.
 
The fact is that very few American racers make it either on the circuits or stages when bends are involved and where they mix it with the best of the world in Europe. Of course there have been some fantastic road racers, Dan Gurney, Mario, Phil Hill and a few others over the years but most are 2nd rate (a relative term) when they decide to come over and give it a go...which few do. Fair play to him for having a go and not being another yank who win's 'world series' full of 2nd rate has beens or other Americans.
 
frakker said:
Loeb had a mid-season wobble. Hirvonen collected 11 podium finishes from 12 starts and came within a point of the title. He's getting better and better. Loeb on the other hand was run ragged through the second half of the season, and a seventh title doesn't look quite so certain as it perhaps did before.
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I'll partly give you last season, as it did end up with a difference of a point at the end, and IIRC Hirvonen actually took the lead in the championship for a few races.

But I still maintain that a lack of competition is killing the WRC. Also this bothers me -

Championship wins

Sébastien Loeb 6 2004-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009
Juha Kankkunen 4 1986-1987, 1991, 1993
Tommi Mäkinen 4 1996-1997-1998-1999
Walter Röhrl 2 1980, 1982
Miki Biasion 2 1988-1989
Carlos Sainz 2 1990, 1992
Marcus Grönholm 2 2000, 2002
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In terms of wins, Loeb is "apparantly" better than great drivers like Makinen, Sainz, Gronholm, McRae, Solberb, Burns, et al.

As if.
 
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