Block Rallycross move official

Monster World Rally Team today confirmed that Ken Block will take part in the Global Rallycross Championship. Block’s participation had been expected since his comments at the end of last year that he would reduce his involvement in the World Rally Championship and focus on a US-based programme of events in which Rallycross would be included.

Today’s announcement, however, is the official confirmation that the 44-year-old American who shot to stardom through the enormous success of his Gymkhana videos will chase the GRC title with his Monster Energy Fiesta.

The Monster World Rally team is pleased to reveal Ken Block’s brand-new livery and 2012 schedule. Debuting for the first time in part one of a two part season launch program (part two arrives on February 20th), Block’s 2012 program brings forth not only a new look for the Master Hoonigan, but also a new focus and more varied direction moving into the 2012 race season, which includes campaigning a full season in the highly-anticipated Global RallyCross Championship, while continuing to compete in the World Rally Championship.

“I’m super stoked to be able to run such a diverse schedule this year,” said Block. “Global RallyCross is shaping up to be a very exciting and new championship here in the United States and I’m looking forward to the new challenges that will bring. I’m also thrilled that despite committing to the full GRC season, I’m still going to be able to fit three WRC events into my schedule, as well as a handful of Rally America and Canadian Rally races. I don’t think there’s another driver out there that gets to compete in so many different series, as well as gets to do awesome side projects like Gymkhana FIVE and my Gymkhana World Tour. I’m truly a lucky bastard because this is going to be an amazing year!”

Three different Ford Fiestas will aid Block in his 19-event attack this year. Each cloaked in a fresh, new graphic scheme, which also carries over to an entirely new line of team gear available from DC. The Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle (H.F.H.V.) will take on the lion’s share of events, competing in all the GRC rounds and X Games, plus select Rally America and Canadian rallies. It will also return to star in Gymkhana FIVE, which will debut mid 2012. While the M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta RS WRC will be used at Rally Mexico, Rally New Zealand and Rally Finland. Leaving the Olsberg MSE-built four-door Fiesta on the road for the 5 stops of the Gymkhana World Tour.

“We really went all-out for our launch this year,” said Block. “I phoned in favors to two great friends to assist in our launch videos. My buddy, actor and comedian Nick Swardson, came out in a huge way and took my place to give some ridiculous answers to questions during the first part of our season launch program in our 2012 Q&A video. Also, my long-time friend and fellow DC athlete, skateboarder, Steve Berra came out to lend his video skills on the second part of our season launch program, our schedule and livery reveal video. They both absolutely killed it and I’m beyond stoked with the results.”

For the 2012 season, Block and the MWRT would like to welcome three new sponsors: Shining Monkey car care products, Snap-On tools and the all-new DiRT Showdown videogame. Block and MWRT would also like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support moving forward into the 2012 season: Monster Energy, Ford, DC Shoes, Pirelli, Hoonigan, SPY Optic, GoPro, Alpinestars and Ryno Power.

Block’s only previous appearance in Rallycross has been at X Games, but last year’s experience there with his new so-called ‘Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle’ (HFHV) Fiesta VII was far from happy, the car suffering problems and eventually put out of the running after a crash. To many fans, Rallycross is the natural environment for Block and his presence in the GRC will certainly help to boost the profile of the fledgling series.

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