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Bye Bye Ken Block...

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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Not sure if this is a repost or not, kinda sad to see him go cause I love watching him drive his custom STi's but I feel he is making the right choice since Subaru no longer competes in the WRC.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/report-ken-block-heading-to-wrc-with-new-monster-ford-team/

"One of the most significant deals in rally history. That's how news of Ken Block's imminent move to the World Rally Championship is being touted in the motorsport press. And we couldn't agree more.

Now don't get us wrong. We enjoy watching Block's famous antics behind the wheel of his purpose-built Gymkhana Subaru Impreza as much as the next guy. Probably more. But we can't help but feel that the superstar's otherworldly car control skills couldn't be put to better use than pure showboating. And this deal could give him exactly that opportunity, graduating from the relatively low-visibility Rally America series to the top-tier WRC.

Since Subaru, for whom Block competes in the USA, pulled out of the WRC, Ken's been hunting for another ride in the premier series, and reports now indicate that he – along with former Subaru driver Chris Atkinson – will be driving the 2009-spec Ford Focus WRC for the new Monster Energy Drink World Rally Team (which could, incidentally, go some way towards explaining what the two rally stars were doing behind the wheel of that old Ford Escort). Once the details are hammered out, both Block and Atkinson are expected to start next season in select rounds of the championship before challenging the full calendar the year after, presumably behind the wheel of the new rally-spec Fiesta."
Nov 13 2009 10:18AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
My room mate may flip shit when he hears about this.
Nov 13 2009 10:21AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Start shoe company
Sell shoe company
Buy a nice car
????
Profit
Nov 13 2009 10:31AM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Ya it doesn't kinda suck.  I really don't like Fords, but I have to admit, they have some sweet rally cars.
Nov 13 2009 10:33AM
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comeatmebro
Posts: 10720 - Karma: 66
this isn't b faggot.
Nov 13 2009 10:34AM
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WILLFRO07
Posts: 392 - Karma: 15
I think he's doing something awesome with this, i love the way the new Focus RS looks, and the AbuDhabi WRC Ford car is DOPEEEEEEEE. Plus there's finally a few americans taking the jump to WRC. The WRC has been having some troubles for a few years, or thats what i've been hearing, so maybe Block will be able to pump that up and maybe we'll be seeing a WRC event here in the states sometime soon.
Nov 13 2009 10:37AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
"new rally spec fiesta"
lolz. that just sounds funny because that not at all what i think when i see fords.
Nov 13 2009 10:38AM
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MattWeiss
Posts: 1005 - Karma: 377
wooord
Nov 13 2009 10:39AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Oh, man last time I checked posting words on a forum didn't come from b.

get over yourself
Nov 13 2009 10:42AM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Haha ya seriously, it does sound funny.  It is pretty badass though.

http://www.autofiends.com/2009/04/new-2009-ford-fiesta-rally-cross-car-debuts/
Nov 13 2009 10:42AM
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WILLFRO07
Posts: 392 - Karma: 15
Click for larger image

Looks pretty sick eh?
Nov 13 2009 10:42AM
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jnizzle
Posts: 365 - Karma: 75
FORD? are you serious man.

you let me down ken, you let me down
Nov 13 2009 10:43AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
i think an arizona track would be pretty sick. like around the grand canyon.
Nov 13 2009 10:44AM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Apparently ford on an international level is way different then what we see here in th eUS.  Which is weird...seeing as how they are based here.  But they have some pretty crazy cars worldwide.
Nov 13 2009 10:44AM
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WILLFRO07
Posts: 392 - Karma: 15
I think they should make the LSPR race up here in the UP of Michigan a WRC race, seeing as they've cut it from the schedule for next year. And drivers like TP and Block have said its their favorite place to race because its got so much variety up here, it was the only RallyAmerica rally that had a tarmac section, and it was the longest running event in RallyAmerica's history.
Nov 13 2009 10:46AM
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0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
i was talking to my buddy about that. how come ford in America, its home or whatever, gets the shit?!  all the gay cars we get, they get in europe, with rwd, and turbos! i wish we got that cool shit, then ford wouldnt be as gay.
Nov 13 2009 11:03AM
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Pinguu
Posts: 1581 - Karma: 49
Ford makes legit rally cars... I don't understand the hate. I'm a american car guy and love Ford. NS has a love affair with Subaru.

Click for larger image
Nov 13 2009 11:10AM
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twin-tip-hero
Posts: 2896 - Karma: 277
ken is makin a name for homself and thats all that matters.  he is doing what is best for him, and to get him name even bigger.  if this is what he wants to do, and will make him happy then dont hate on him for doing it.
Nov 13 2009 11:21AM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
internationally this will make his name more known, but i think America will definitely not hear as much about him now.
Nov 13 2009 11:30AM
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2800 - Karma: 394

No its south park and the underwear gnomes.

and please think before you type.

Nov 13 2009 11:43AM
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WILLFRO07
Posts: 392 - Karma: 15
Rally is actually a lot bigger than most people think, I agree its not big by any means, but if you go to a rally, you'd be surprised the kind of scene there is. There's definitely lots of guys trying to get into it with cars like older eagle talon TSI turbos and neon SRT-4's and lots and lots of old golf GTI's. Its pretty cool too, because if you talk to rally drivers and ask how to get started, most of them say go get an older golf or GTI.
Nov 13 2009 11:58AM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
that was so gay
Nov 13 2009 12:01PM
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OhMyBosh
Posts: 5056 - Karma: 170
its from a south park episode dipshit, people outside of /b/ use it also... infact im pretty sure its standard internet procedure when making a list.
Nov 13 2009 12:17PM
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arcticCATalan
Posts: 30 - Karma: 21
ken block is sick!
Nov 13 2009 1:36PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,890
great, now i can watch more shitty ford commercials, now starring ken block in a fiesta.
Nov 13 2009 1:47PM
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MayorWest
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 160
i love how if this was a skier... switching to a new ski company that can premote him better internationly . coughwallischcough.... everyone would be hating on him and calling him a sell out...

but fuck this suck ken is the man subaru is the fuckin shit at least we still have travis hahhaa
Nov 13 2009 1:49PM
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MayorWest
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 160
wait what???
everyone one was hating on him and calling him a sell out..i dont agree with him being a sell out i think it was a great chioce for him.. did i miss some epic thread that put everyone in thier place and explained why tom switched??
Nov 13 2009 1:54PM
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Fish_Sandwich.
Posts: 9108 - Karma: 16
I don't like Ford, however Ford international is different than Ford USA.  Plus Ford (and American auto makers) look like they are actually trying to make decent cars now.  This could be the start of a big pleasant change.  I'm just gonna see where it goes.  One thing that would definitely suck is if they used him in super mainstream commercials.  I'm sure Ken is about to make so much money working with Ford, as oppose to Subby.  Nothing's really gonna change with his driving, except more funding, I'm stoked for the new videos.
Nov 13 2009 2:27PM
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WILLFRO07
Posts: 392 - Karma: 15
I think kids here need to stop getting raging Subaru boners, yes, I agree they're fine cars and have tons of potential to be wicked fast. BUT, there are other sick as hell cars out there, not many people seem to notice. I would take a Focus RS or a GTI R32 or a Citroen C4 or a new Lancia Delta over an STI any day just because they're something different and out of the ordinary.
Nov 13 2009 2:30PM
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OhMyBosh
Posts: 5056 - Karma: 170
Click for larger image

Gran Turismo 4 did it.
Nov 13 2009 2:33PM
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MayorWest
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 160
i didnt buy my subaru becuase its fast.. i bought it cuz its quility built and is AWD and affordable.
by far the most affordably function awd car out threre. that why i have boner for them.. cuz there not out of my league
Nov 13 2009 2:34PM
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Mr.Panda
Posts: 17711 - Karma: 564
Ford in Japan and when I was in Australia about 7 years ago (Australia could have changed now, and probably has) are generally some of the most owned cars in those two countries and a lot of the kids in high school in Japan want a Ford the way American kids want a Skyline. It is so funny, cars we see here as the little compact car that is stupid, like a Focus or something in Japan they would want. And the Skyline, in the States it is considered a sports car of "legendary" proportions... they are family sedans in Japan.
Nov 13 2009 2:37PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
subaru AWD > Ford AWD

besides you can get a wrx for under 25k

there's no arguing that there is substantial value in subies.  

but yes american automakers are uping their game and I'm very excited to see where it goes. i wanna see more turbos on smaller engines and more turbo diesels.
Nov 13 2009 2:50PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
ah foiled!


Nov 13 2009 2:55PM
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MayorWest
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 160
09 imprezza Ouback Sort.. LOADDDED baller rims, sport package, winter package. baller warrenty under 20k to be exact 16,500 USD and they run forever
Nov 13 2009 3:01PM
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MayorWest
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 160
with dam good gas millage... i get 30 highway with a roof rack easy and 27 on the way up the canyon to the resorts.
summer time without a rack im pushin 35 easy
Nov 13 2009 3:02PM
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0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
that is an insane deal, congrats mayne
Nov 13 2009 3:05PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
i heart you name
Nov 13 2009 3:07PM
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vincepru
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 17
i still see fords as pieces of junk...
Nov 13 2009 3:11PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
AMEN
Nov 13 2009 3:13PM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90

OMG FORD OMG OMG

THATS NOT SUBARU OMG I HATE YOU KEN BLOCK I LOVE SUBARU I LOVE STI's THEY ARE THE GREATEST YOUR AN IDIOT FOR SWITCHING IDIOT

Nov 13 2009 3:17PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
as much as i love subaru, bailing on the wrc with a great record was pretty stupid.
Nov 13 2009 3:24PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
who cares.  its the drive that makes the car. 

ford does alright in wrc rally.

god you kids and subaru. seriously.
Nov 13 2009 3:57PM
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vincepru
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 17
this.

why the hell did they drop out anyway? i must have been under a rock when it happened because i never got the story, i just heard they dropped out
Nov 13 2009 4:00PM
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Fish_Sandwich.
Posts: 9108 - Karma: 16
I think he was being sarcastic.
But if not, Subaru probably lost too much $$ and it became not good enough advertising for the cost.
Nov 13 2009 4:01PM
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WILLFRO07
Posts: 392 - Karma: 15
I think they're going to start making the sti more of a street-track car if they bail on rally altogether.
but it is kind of understandable how subaru bailed on WRC, wrc is bleeding money from what i hear.
Nov 13 2009 4:54PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
eh i dont know man. how many people do you see drive wrx's these days? a lot. the impreza was a result of the wrc i dont know how subaru can say that the wrc has not helped their sales.
Nov 14 2009 2:38AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Its all about money, it did help their sales..just not enough you know.
Nov 14 2009 5:26AM
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RAWLAN
Posts: 1209 - Karma: 50
as long as he still hits up dc mountain lab i really dont care what he drives
Nov 14 2009 5:44AM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
They aren't bailing on rally, just the WRC.  The WRC itself wasn't being profitable for them anymore but they are still doing Group N rally.  This new model STi is somewhat lacking and is losing some of the rally heritage which is unfortunate, hopefully they will go back to it in the future.
Nov 14 2009 11:19AM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Sorry I was mistaken, it was the changes to Group N rally that made Subaru drop out and almost impossible to run a Boxer engine in the WRC.  They still do other non-Group N rally though.
Nov 14 2009 11:35AM
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