Back in October, we reported the rumour that Ken Block was planning a new jump. This one would be even more exciting than Travis Pastrana’s New Year’s jump. Block would launch his WRX off Subaru’s ship & transform the black & white bomb into a Ford Fiesta and land on Ford’s ship!
An exciting concept, but we’re talking about Ken Block, not Chriss Angel. The real truth is still pretty cool though.
Ford’s quest for world domination is just as strong as Block’s, so the partnership makes sense. As of today, the rumour is now fact. Ken Block & sponsor Monster Energy are dropping Subaru like a hot potato and heading to the Ford camp. This move will see Block enter events around the world, including the WRC in time.
The marketing folks are spinning their magic to make all of these pieces fall into place. Now its up to Block to pull the rabbit out of the hat!
Press release after the break
DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 6, 2010 – Ford Motor Company announced today that it is teaming up with Ken Block, the California-based action sports icon-turned-rally driver, for future global motorsports opportunities.
Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and a three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube. In 2010, Block will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games.
“I am stoked to be rallying in a Ford. They are an impressive force in the sport,†said Ken Block. “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.â€Â
“Ken Block has established himself as an action sports competitor and a rising star in the world of American rally racing,†said Jamie Allison, director Ford North America Motorsports. “We are excited to have him on our team to help promote our new global products, the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2012 Ford Focus.â€Â
Rallying is a crucial part of Ford’s global motorsports strategy and provides the company with the opportunity to showcase the true performance capabilities of Ford’s products. Since its support of rallying began, Ford has won three WRC titles and 73 individual events. And, last year in North America, Ford’s participation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and X Games 15 were key elements for the launch of the Ford Fiesta for the U.S.
“Thanks to our participation in WRC, rallying has always played a key role in Ford’s global motorsports programs,†said Allison. “Ford is the only manufacturer that could provide Ken with global rally opportunities.â€Â
“We’re delighted that Ken Block has chosen to team up with Ford to develop his rallying activities beyond America and into the global arena,†said Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe’s senior motorsports manager. “Ford and its U.K.-based rally partner, M-Sport, is looking forward to welcoming Ken to the wider team of talented rally drivers using Ford vehicles to compete in this demanding sport at the highest level internationally.â€Â
Edit: you can follow all the news at the new Monster World Rally Team site.
Ken Block certainly has built a reputation for himself driving a Subaru and since the expense has been shouldered most likely by himself and his sponsors and maybe with a little if any help from Vermont Sports Car and I doubt any money from Subaru. The move to Ford shifts some, if not all the costs to Ford and Subaru realized that they would still sell the same number of WRX’s with or without Block. So I believe Block courted Ford and they decided they had something to gain by having him driving their (Ford) cars.
Ford is doing exactly what they should be doing… Going after the younger crowd. Ford and everyone else knows that if there is one thing Block will bring to the table it’s publicity in the highest degree and along with that he’s extremely talented to boot. Some things never change and the young crowd of today is no different than the ones of yester-year that bought cars because they were made popular by racing on Sunday. You can rest most assuredly that Ford will give Block unlimited resources and funding to help make sure he gets whatever he needs to look good and win. A racers dream for Block and an advertising dream for Ford.
If Block makes it to the WRC in a Ford and maybe wins, maybe rallying becomes a bigger deal in North America. We can only hope…
Your right Gary, what Ford introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show today follows this theory.
I see what you mean…
http://www.pcworld.com/article/186444/faq_fords_myford_touch_connected_car.html