WRC: Ken Block Joins Ford

Subaru and Ken Block are history forever to be remembered in those YouTube videos. America’s (arguably) favorite drift driver will be racing in the 2010 World Rally Championship in a Ford Focus. For starters, Subaru has pulled out of WRC, making it impossible for Block to race with Subies.

“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,” says Block. For some reason, Block doesn’t come off as cocky and pretentious with that statement.

He shouldn’t be especially with Sebastian Loeb still winning year after year and former Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen also joining the ranks of the WRC driving for Citroen next season.

Should still be a great break for Block to race in top flight rallying and give the WRC more exposure in the States.

Source: CAR

WRC: Will Ken Block Be Fast Enough?

So Mr. Viral Drift Video Ken Block has decided to slug it out with the big boys driving for Ford in next year’s World Rally Championship. But will he be fast enough to challenge top dogs like Sebastian Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen?

Maybe not. You have to give it to Block though. He’s got skill and he’s quick. But to be honest, his participation looks more like a publicity and marketing stunt more that anything.

Block’s a showman and an American and that’s basically what the sport needs to create a decent fan base in North America. (Start the USA! USA! chants on cue.)

His participation in the WRC will surely give Americans a nice enough exposure to the sport – a real breather for a straightline-happy culture to see cars going sideways on mud, dirt and gravel.

Check out this video of Ken Block setting a stage record at the New England Forest Rally in his Subie.