Ford caused quite the uproar within the rally community when it signed on famed Subaru driver and Gymkhana star Ken Block. Block, founder of DC Shoes-turned-rally racer, was well known for piloting the Subaru WRX, so to see him behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta was a little off-putting. Still, it was a fresh start, with a new car from a company trying to remake itself in the wake of the economic downturn.
So it’s worth asking; was Ken Block’s first season behind the wheel of a Ford a WIN or FAIL?
To be sure, Ken Block’s racing season was chock full of fail. Out of six Rally America races, Block’s all-new Fiesta did not finish four of them. Mostly this was due to mechanical failures, and indeed, this much could be expected from a new driver and a new rally car. This was a break-in season more than anything. Then again, Block did manage to win the 100 Acre Wood Rally for the 5th consecutive time, so that was surely a win for him.
Then there’s Gymkhana 3, Block’s first video with the Ford Fiesta. To date the video has garnered well over 27 million views since it went up in September. Alas, Block also lost his very own event, the first ever Gymkhana Invitational. There were plenty of other ups-and-downs throughout 2010, just like much of the rest of the country experienced. So what does 2011 hold?