Ken Block Interview: Part 1 – The Team
Ken Block talks to Driving Sports in an exclusive interview. In this first part of the interview, he responds to critics in the Subaru community, talks about his Ford Fiesta rally car, how he fits into the M-Sport picture and more.
Ryan Douthit, Driving Sports TV: Thank you so much ken for taking the time to speak with Driving Sports. The recent announcement of leaving Subaru Rally Team USA and starting a new rally team with Ford, also making the jump to WRC. This is huge. So, naturally, we have a few questions that we wanted to toss your way. The first one is: How long as the Ford WRC deal been in the making? Did you go to them or did they come to you?
Ken Block, Monster World Rally Team: Well, I’ve been talking back-and-forth with Ford for probably a year and a half. I’ve just had an interest in driving the World Rally Car for a long time and this being the final year of this current spec car, you know, I really wanted to get into it somehow – wanted to drive it or race it. The unfortunate thing was, you know, back when I actually started talking to them, Subaru was still racing in the World Rally Championship. You know my ultimate goal was to expand and do the most that I can with the skills that I have in a car. Unfortunately, with Subaru pulling out of the WRC, meant that the only car I could potentially really get into, especially with a sponsorship deal, would be Ford.
RD: When Subaru announced they were withdrawing from the WRC did that hit you emotionally?
KB: Yeah, it was really disappointing, I mean… watching rally in the 90s, when McRae was racing, the blue and yellow car – that’s some of my fondest memories of rally. For me, as a rally fan and as a Subaru driver it was quite heart breaking… to see them go away.
RD: How would you respond to the more critical members of the Subaru community that are calling you a "traitor" for moving over to Ford?
KB: The thing is, I’ve really enjoyed interacting with everybody in the Subaru community. I had a great time working with Subaru over the years. Ah, you know, as for the negative backlash, yeah I’ve looked through the threads… of course there’s going to be the people that see me as a ‘traitor’ or whatever, but I can understand that. I come from that mentality; when I’ve seen various drivers move around. At the end of the day, ah, there are a lot of people – even in those threads – that can understand what I’m doing and that there’s opportunities and things I want to do that just weren’t available to me through Subaru. I appreciate all those people you do see posting in there that do understand that and if there are haters out there, you know, I’m sorry. I would have loved to stay with Subaru, but Ford has given me an opportunity to do the things I dream about. That’s just the reality of the situation.
RD: At the 2009 X Games you were competing against the Fiestas. Were, at the time, you looking at it thinking "damn! I'm going to be driving that in 2010?"
KB: Nah, you know I really didn’t put that much thought into it. You know I’ve been very loyal to Subaru. I’ve really enjoyed that relationship. They’re a great company to work with. They have a great product. But, you know, at the end of the day, if they weren’t going where I wanted to be going, then I had to make a move, and move for ward.
RD: Can you comment on the setup of your new Ford Fiesta Rally Car? I it similar to what we saw Kenny Brack driving at the X Games?
KB: There will be modifications made. That car was setup specifically for Rally Cross and when we saw it here in America, it was set up specifically for that event. So, we will be adjusting the car to make it work better for the rallies here in America because there’s a big diversification in the six rallies that we’re doing, so we’ve got to figure out the best setup for each rally and move forward.
It’s going to be a huge learning curve for me. I’m going to be driving three brand new cars for myself this year and seat time is just – the essence of getting any driver up to speed. In any championship, in any car. So I’m going to be doing my best to push to have as much seat time as I possibly can.
RD: Who is involved with the new Monster World Rally Team. I believe Gelsomino is still going to be your co-driver?
KB: Yeah, Alex will be with me through the entire year, for every event. I have a great team of people behind me. There’s my amazing team manager named Derek Dauncey that’s handling contracts and negotiations and coordination of everything, I have Brian Scotto is my marketing manager, I have – obviously – a great co-driver in Alex, and amazing teams to work with, such as M-Sport and the Olsbergs and Ford has just be a very, very supportive company that helped put all this together. So, I’m really looking forward to a great year. It’s going to be a huge challenge and I realize that, but I’m going to work as hard as I can to make the most of it.
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- Ken Block Interview: Part 3 – Challenges | Driving Sports
- Ken Block’s Fire-Breathing Fiesta | Driving Sports
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Go get'em Ken! There will always be haters and you have outlived what Subaru can help you with.
What can you expect from Ken Block? You want him to drive around abandoned air bases the rest of his life? There should be no haters - Subaru is the one to hate for pulling outta WRC and not giving him the ability to drive their car in the WRC. Bummer - lets hope this sets the stage for some changes in Subaru's product line and racing ventures.
You have to move forward with your dreams Ken! If Subaru cannot provide you with the path in which to chase those dreams, then you have to seek out a company who can. Ford has always done VERY well with the Escort & the Focus in WRC. So they seem like a great choice. You'll be following in the great foot steps of your friend Colin. Just try to keep your car in one piece if at all possible!!!!! :-) Best of luck to ya in 2010 no matter what you're driving!!!
There will be another.
Like how I'm in the vid standing in line at the signing at carter subaru in Seattle WA. I'm wearing the dirtyimpreza.com sweatshirt.
anyways cant wait to see block racing even though im not a supporter of ford but hes an awsome driver and know that after a season or to he will be up there with loeb
ken, you have enough money to sponsor yourself in any car you'd like..you are just a corporate pretty boy fad that will be old news soon enough..while subaru has been making quality cars for quite some time, ford quit that idea back in the late 60s early 70s...(lets see you rally in a pinto, might wanna double up on the roll cage though)...on the bright side maybe you could help to bring the european versions of these "american" cars to the domestic market...still i'd rather a spec-c ra-r wrx sti impreza over a ford fiesta/focus..i mean at least get a mustang and slap a differential in it to make it awd, whats next a prius?
Ken I'm behind you! but I would like to know if there will still be Gymkhana videos? I don't fault you for leaving Subaru I knew it was going to happen as soon as I heard they pulled out of WRC. Do what you have to do to get to the level you want to be. Who knows maybe down the road Subaru will restart their WRC program and you can come back over and win some rallies for us! :)
Ken, while I was initially shocked at your switch from Subaru to Ford (I'm a huge Subaru guy), sadly it's pretty obvious that Subaru has let you (and all of us) down--not the other way around--in your dreams of racing in the WRC. I definitely love my Subaru, but none of us should forget that Ford INVENTED THE CAR and is starting to step up their game (2011 Focus anyone?). Go kick some arse for all us American rally fans!
(P.S. - I want a Fiesta Gymkhana video!)
Ken is a decent driver at best. If any of you had his disposable income and stunt teams you could produce the same quality work. I will not miss him from subaru, and when I have seen him race I was not impressed. At least with ford he will be driving something as ghey as he is
whoops
@anthony ferris Does it hurt to be ignorant beyond comparison?
While I understand that he wants to do his thing and good for him. I was pretty disappointed to see that the car pulled out of the Sno Drift (first race of the season) for mechanical malfunctions.
Ken Block has inspired us all to do something crazy.. But what I really dont understand is the hate comments he gets.. I mean just my opinion, but if you can't say somethin nice to the guy, just leave ur mouth shut.. He's done alot to entertain us and he's doing the best he can. I mean, it wasn't his choice to drop out of Subaru. What else could he do since there was no more WRC.. YOU'RE A STAR KEN! KEEP DOIN WHAT YOU'RE DOIN AND YOU'LL GET SOMEWHERE!
goodluck
I love Subaru and Ken, But if they can't help him anymore, I am not going to judge him nor subaru. Ken is one hell of a driver no matter what. I does sadden me a little on the inside though...