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VIDEO: Ken Block, Chris Atkinson test out their rear-drive chops in a 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 rally car
Click above to watch the video after the jump
There are a lot of great racing choices out there for motorsports fans, but few offer up the excitement and showmanship of rally driving. Not many drivers seem to be having as much fun as Ken Block, as his YouTube videos and uncanny drifting prowess have fast become must see TV. For his latest video goodness, Block showed off his rallying chops at Team O'Neal's Rally School in New Hampshire along with fellow rally pro Chris Atkinson. To make the video interesting, the rally vets didn't hit the dirt in a state-of-the-art AWD Subaru. Instead, Block and Atkinson tried their luck in a vintage rear-drive 1978 Euro Ford Escort. Block actually owns the 31 year old vehicle and will be racing it in select events.
The super 'Scort may look like a Daytona USA stock car, but it has plenty of modern hardware beneath its boxy exterior. Power comes courtesy of a sweet sounding 2.4-liter, four-cylinder Millington engine that kicks out a respectable 280 horsepower paired with a WRC-style six-speed sequential gearbox.
Hit the jump to view Block and Atkinson having an absolute blast in a hopped-up Escort. We never thought we'd want a 1978 Escort, but Block's unlikely baby is as sweet as they come.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JDM Life 12:38PM (9/14/2009)
Small RWD cars are so much fun.
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Dondonel 1:51PM (9/14/2009)
Yes, there was a time when you could buy a small RWD coupe in Europe and have tons of fun with it. Then Golf GTI came, and the only thing you can get now for honest money are the 'hot' hatches, a tasteless surrogate for driving.
Franz 2:53PM (9/14/2009)
I learned to drive in a MK1 Escort.
James 2:57PM (9/14/2009)
Ditto...
Luv 'em retro UK Fords, esp the Escort Mk 1 "Mexico" RS1600/2000 series!
davidlister 12:47PM (9/14/2009)
Was at the Rally Defi on the weekend and hoped to see Block race the Escort. Unfortunately, he ran into some mechanical problems on the first stage after going off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwxEDeq1nFs
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Alex 12:53PM (9/14/2009)
that man has the life.
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Todd 1:05PM (9/14/2009)
You never wanted a RWD Euro Escort?!?!
What's Wrong with you?
I'm more impressed with the car then Ken Block or Chris Atkinson. Love the old RWD Rally cars, including the Group B ones, more than the electronical wizardry of the newer ones.
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Lester 1:25PM (9/14/2009)
i've always loved the euro fords, mmmm tasty!
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Brandon 1:25PM (9/14/2009)
Wow that was great.
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Feketelaszlo 1:28PM (9/14/2009)
A powerful car is faster in the straights but a lighter car is faster everywhere. That's why European&Japan cars are better than Americans. In most of the American Motorsports (Drag, Nascar, Indycar,.....) only the speed matters. It's easy to make a good, powerful engine, but hard to make a good, powerful car.
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Patrick 1:47PM (9/14/2009)
It's shifting itself. Wack.
But damn that looks fun :(
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Feketelaszlo 2:05PM (9/14/2009)
No, it has a sequential gearbox in it (because it's a WRC car).
matt 2:07PM (9/14/2009)
no, they're using the paddle shifters on the wheel.
Patrick 2:10PM (9/14/2009)
Oh missed that. Usually you see them slapping the shifter forward/backwards. And yeah I know it's a sequential but I just didn't notice the paddles. Damn tiny ass iPhone resolution lol.
Carry on guys...love me a 78 Escort like that!
Gompo 2:26PM (9/14/2009)
"2.4-liter, four-cylinder Millington engine that kicks out a respectable 280 horsepower"
..That's more than just respectable for a non-turbo 2.4l engine!
Great cars..
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bee jaytee 2:47PM (9/14/2009)
I enjoyed this video as much - maybe even more - than the Gymkhana videos. Looked like so much fun blasting around in that car around that dirt track. Was it me, or did anyone else hear the drivers laughing the whole time?
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foci 2:52PM (9/14/2009)
The wheel mounted paddles shifter is slick. I am glad to see they left the tall shifter level in the car.
Remember is is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
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RowFive 3:03PM (9/14/2009)
+1 on your second comment. Couldn't agree more.
RowFive 3:01PM (9/14/2009)
Envy. Simple as that.
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Diesel333333 3:11PM (9/14/2009)
I'll take two.... Because I'm sure I'll wreck one...
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