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Ken Block rally cars go blue in the face (and everywhere else)

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities, Racing

Well at least we now know why Ken Block "just ain't care" about smashing up his Ford Fiesta rally car recently. It's because he's getting a full brand makeover including a new team name, new paint scheme and even a new headquarters. Formerly known as Monster World Rally Team, Block and his Fiesta will now be competing under the Hoonigan Racing Division name, which is based out of a new 12,000 square foot facility located in Park City, UT.

As you can tell in the image above, Hoonigan Racing will replace the familiar black, white and green paint scheme with a more colorful design featuring plenty of blue, purple and red; the Monster Energy logo retains some of the car's green. The new paint scheme was inspired by Block's love of skateboard graphics from the '80s and early '90s as well as "Miami Vice-era" speedboats.

Block will continue to compete in multiple rally racing series such as Global RallyCross, World Rally Championship and X Games. The new headquarters features office space on one side and a shop for the cars on the other side. The building features plenty of stuff you'd expect from a company designed around Ken Block, including a massive gaming station for racing video games, recycled shipping containers used throughout the facility and a black bear.

Block also hints at the next Gymkana on the Hoonigan Racing blog:

I can't comment too much on it at this point, but we're taking a very different approach to it for this year. That's all I'm going to say right now!"

So, we guess we'll be looking forward to that, then.

Ken Block rally cars go blue in the face (and everywhere else) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Celebrities

You know you want another one of Ken Block's trademark hoonage videos, don't you? Of course you do. And so we're glad to oblige. But, Ken Block being Ken Block, "just another" video wouldn't do. No, he and his crew at the Monster World Rally Team have to make each episode count. And that requires a certain measure of creativity.

For this latest three-minute clip, Block and company headed to the Dirtfish Rally School in Snoqualmie Falls, Washington. That may not mean anything to you now, but do you remember Twin Peaks? Dirtfish is based in the very same location where the popular early-90s TV show was shot. Block and his team headed there to test out the new Ford Fiesta HFHV on gravel for the first time, and were kind enough to bring along a video crew to, um... "document" the process. Follow the jump to go fire walking with Block and crew.

Continue reading Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel

Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty, Off-Road, Racing

Being Ken Block has got to be a lot of fun, but like any other life, it has its share of problems. In Ken's case, he's actively involved in a number of rally disciplines, each of which has its own parameters and requires its own type of car. Solution: the Ford Fiesta HFHV.

The initials stand for Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle, but don't let that first H fool you: there's nothing Prius about this car. It's the new beast which Ford and Block have developed for adaptable use in each of three types of rally competition: stage rallies, rallycross and Gymkhana.

The car is based on Block's Ford Fiesta RS WRC, albeit with a 2.0-liter turbo four capable of producing as much as 600 horsepower and 665 pound-feet of torque, depending on configuration. And configurability is what this car's all about. By swapping the wheels and tires and adjusting everything from the suspension to the engine mapping, the HFHV can be quickly set up for any of these three functions. Believe it or not, Block's Monster crew says it can even be street-legal, depending on the setup.

Bottom line: expect to see this car wherever you see Block pop up, whether it's on a rally stage, a closed parking lot or a film set - starting with the X Games this weekend in Los Angeles. Follow the jump to watch the video footage and read the full press release.

Continue reading Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV

Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block teases Gymkhana 3 with his new Ford Fiesta

Chris Shunk — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Videos

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Ken Block and his Monster World Rally Team seem to really get it. If you're going to show us a seven minute infomercial, it's best to sell product and perform astonishing feats of drift at the same time. Block's annual drifting extravaganza has quickly become one of the few must-see videos on the Internets, with nearly 14 million viewers tuning in to absorb Gymkhana II.

And if you're worried that Block's switch from the Subaru WRX STI to the 2011 Ford Fiesta means that the breathtaking drift videos are dead, think again. The driftmaster is in tease mode for Gymkhana III, and the post-jump video gives an all-too-brief glimpse of what's to come later tonight. Hit the jump to watch the 24-second tease for yourself. The video tells us that Gymkhana III Ford Fiesta will be unveiled this evening at 8 p.m. PST at San Francisco's Taverna Avenue.

Gallery: Ken Block's Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block teases Gymkhana 3 with his new Ford Fiesta

Video: Ken Block teases Gymkhana 3 with his new Ford Fiesta originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Racing

Ken Block testing the Ford Rally Focus before last weekend's Rally Mexico - Click above to watch video after the jump

A snowy, icy and muddy Greystoke Forest in England probably isn't the best place for a new rally driver to practice for the WRC's Rally Mexico, but that's where Ken Block had to get his testing done, and he had just one day to do it. Follow the jump to watch the DC Shoes maestro getting to grips with his steed. Having already seen the results of the race, it appears he didn't do all bad.

[Source: Monster World Rally]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico

Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block and new Ford Fiesta rally car meet - it's love at first drift

John Neff — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Hatchback, Ford

2010 Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

We know, it's going to be weird watching Ken Block rally in a Ford Fiesta. We're so used to watching him ply his craft in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Gymkhana and Subaru became synonymous thanks to Ken. After the announcement earlier this month that Block was dropping Subaru for Ford this season, as well as competing on the big stage of WRC for the first time, we knew the day would come when we meet Ken's new ride for the first time, and that day is today.

This is the 2010 Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta that Ken will be driving in the Rally America Championship this season as well as the 2010 X-Games. The RAC's first race this season will be the Sno*Drift Rally on January 29-30 in Atlanta, Michigan, and we'll surely be paying close to attention to see how Ken performs in his very first outing with the new Ford. In the meantime, check out a couple shots of his new rally car below, as well as the video after the jump.

Gallery: Ken Block's Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta

[Source: Monster World Rally via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block and new Ford Fiesta rally car meet - it's love at first drift

Video: Ken Block and new Ford Fiesta rally car meet - it's love at first drift originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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