2010 Ford Fiesta Monster World Rally

KEN BLOCK'S MONSTER FORD FIESTA READY FOR RACE DEBUT AT RALLY AMERICA SNO*DRIFT

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 29, 2010 – The all-new Ford Fiesta is fun to drive, but for Monster World Rally Team driver Ken Block, fun takes on a different meaning.

When you spend your time dreaming up ways to push your rally car to new limits and create stunts that will create the next 'must see' YouTube video, fun is a mixture of horsepower, race fuel and adrenaline. This weekend, Block and his newly formed Monster World Rally Team will debut their Ford Fiesta Rally America program at Sno*Drift in Atlanta, Mich. as they demonstrate their definition of fun.

Block and the Monster World Rally Team will campaign seven rally events in North America in 2010 for Ford, including the Summer X Games in August. Block will pilot a 2011 Ford Fiesta based on the race-winning European Rallycross Fiesta prepared by Olsbergs Motorsports Evolution.

'I am very excited to finally be in the Fiesta,' said Block. 'The Fiesta is the car that beat me last summer at X Games. Ford has a great platform with the Fiesta, and I can't wait to see what I can do in the Rally America championship and at the X Games later this year.'

Fiesta's North American racing debut came at the 2009 Summer X Games where it took the Gold in rally competition. Block's 2.0-liter turbocharged Fiesta, modified to the Open Class specification for Rally America, is capable of producing over 490 hp at 8,000 rpm, but due to a required turbo-inlet restrictor by the series, the Fiesta will be running in the range of 330 hp.

Block, who will be co-driven by Italian Alessandro Gelsomino, will tackle all six rounds of the Rally America series in his Fiesta, which will be backed by Monster Energy Drink and Ford. His North American program will culminate at X Games 16 in Los Angeles in early August.

'Ford has a long, winning tradition in European rally and with Ken Block and Fiesta, we're bringing that to North America for fans to experience first hand,' said Jamie Alison, director, Ford North American Motorsports. 'There will be a little bit of rally in every Fiesta. It's the right form of motorsports to showcase the driving dynamics of Fiesta.' Allison continued, 'What people need to remember, as Ken races down the course this weekend, his car started off as a production vehicle. It is a true testament to the capability built into every Ford Fiesta.'

Source - Ford

FORD TEAMS UP WITH RALLY CAR DRIVER KEN BLOCK FOR GLOBAL MOTORSPORTS

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.'

'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.'

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 Ú.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.'

'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 Ú.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.'

Source - Ford