WRC: Ken Block To Race For Ford, Drops Subaru

CONFIRMING REPORTS in October that the cult rally hero would soon switch out of his worked Subaru WRX STI, Ken Block has confirmed today that he will contest this year's World Rally Championship in a Ford.

Together with long-time sponsors Monster Energy, Block will compete in select rounds of this year's Championship, driving an M-Sport prepared Focus RS to build up his skills ahead of a full attack on the 2011 series.

"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," Block said.

"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."

M-Sport chief Malcolm Wilson said Block's influence in elevating rally's profile around the world with his popular Gymkhana videos has been a boon to the sport.

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

Block won't be restricting himself to the WRC alone, however, with the X Games and Rally America Championship in his sights - along with the rally-spec Ford Fiesta.

Reportedly the first American to contest the WRC, Block's efforts will be sponsored by DC Shoes - the company he co-founded - along with Castrol Edge, the video game Dirt2 and long-time partner Monster Energy.