Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Bye Bye Ken Block...

profile picture
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
0 0
profile picture
Mooserz
Posts: 2945 - Karma: 32
I think he should go pick up a 4000s and play with that for a bit. I think he would have fun
Nov 14 2009 11:49AM
0 0
profile picture
LMPJibbin
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 17
meh looks wise the subaru wins my vote
Nov 14 2009 11:52AM
0 0
profile picture
PeterNorth
Posts: 1347 - Karma: 1,232
dam that sucks, ford blows.
Nov 14 2009 1:12PM
0 0
profile picture
birdshake
Posts: 1228 - Karma: 71
ford is upping their game GM and chrysler are still producing the same shit
Nov 14 2009 3:18PM
0 0
profile picture
shredables
Posts: 647 - Karma: 19

the ford fiesta beats the shit out of the sti in rally. and ken block isnt that great of a racer, hes just a good driver. this will be interesting.

subaru just lost a huge marketing advantage with ken block and DC

Nov 14 2009 3:25PM
0 0
profile picture
jsaya_SagStraps
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 29
Fucckkk. That sucks, I loved the Gymkhana videos. But it's definitely a good move for Ken Block.

However, I'm tried of seeing literally ALL Citroen C4's and Ford RS's in the WRC. Don't get me wrong, watching it is sick, but I want to see some Mitsus and Scoobys again in it.
Nov 14 2009 4:04PM
0 0
profile picture
user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Problem is that it is almost impossible for Subaru to make a 2.0L boxer engine that can compete in the WRC after they changed the rules, which is why they dropped out.  They would rather keep the boxer heritage than change their engine design just to compete in the WRC.  I am ok with that, especially because they are still doing other rally types other than the WRC.
Nov 15 2009 12:36PM
0 0
profile picture
0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
they should just allow swaps or something, and suby could swap in another 2.0.
also what is the rule that wont allow a boxer in the wrc?
Nov 15 2009 1:46PM
0 0
profile picture
Malcolm
Posts: 15949 - Karma: 9,429
thats quite lame
Nov 15 2009 1:49PM
0 0
profile picture
Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
ford was hella good until they lost marko martin in 2005
Nov 15 2009 2:02PM
0 0
profile picture
DutchhGutss
Posts: 896 - Karma: 124
hahaha hilarious
Nov 15 2009 7:47PM
0 0
profile picture
thedutchmayn
Posts: 1653 - Karma: 45
havent had time to really read anything yet but i cantbelieve hes putting himself in a situation where he has to swap the sti for a fucking ford!
Nov 15 2009 8:03PM
0 0
profile picture
user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
All cars in WRC starting in 2010 (transitional year) and mandatory in 2011 have to be of the S2000 spec, or Super 2000.  S2000 is as follows:

"In order to cut costs & shorten development time, the Super 2000 rally cars originally used a common control gearbox & drivetrain made by a French company, Sadev. The FIA has since announced that Xtrac[2] and Ricardo Consulting Engineers will be allowed to also manufacture S2000 gearboxes to FIA specification. This is to further cut costs by introducing competition into gearbox supply."

The S2000 gearboxes aren't compatible with the Boxer engine, so Subaru would have to design a new engine for their WRC cars which they refuse to do.  In addition to that, it does not make financial sense for them to stay in the WRC with the new rules.  Mitsubishi has also dropped out of the WRC, so two of the most prominent rally cars, the Impreza and the Lancer, are no longer involved.
Nov 15 2009 9:07PM
0 0
profile picture
0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
damn thats a wack as fuck rule.
Nov 15 2009 9:52PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)