WRC Rookies 2 - Ken Block

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Going on what we saw at the WRC launch in Paris on Tuesday, Petter 'Hollywood' Solberg's position as the Championship's leading showman could be under threat this year from WRC newbie Ken Block.

While we haven't yet seen Block performing Petter's trick of driving a car from the roof, this is the man who has flown a Subaru Impreza 171 feet through the air and racked up more than 50 million views for his gymkhana stunt driving videos.

As drivers gathered for the photoshoot on the Place de la Concorde in light rain and freezing cold, Block, who hails from California, stood apart from the rest of the crowd. Looking every inch a hip-hop superstar, he was the only one wearing a hoodie, sunglasses and a diamond encrusted ring the size of a golfball.

This year, after a career spent skateboarding, snowboarding, racing motocross and running DC shoes, Block is realising his childhood dream of competing in the WRC. Starting with Rally Mexico, he'll tackle a seven round programme driving a Ford Focus RS WRC.

Post launch, and before being whisked off to a Monster World Rally Team after-party, Block talked to wrc.com about his WRC aspirations.

From bikes to boards to your rally career and stunt driving, you've done some pretty incredible things so far, how does the challenge of the WRC compare?
"This year is going to be the biggest challenge of my life. It's a huge honour to be on the stages with the rest of the WRC guys so I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a tough year but I'm going to do the best I can."

What are you looking forward to most about the 2010 WRC season?
"Getting to drive a World Rally Car. It's the epitome of what a rally car should be and it's by far the most amazing thing that I'll ever be able to drive. I want to cover as many miles as I can in this type of car before they go away in 2011."

What do you hope to get out of this season?
"For me this is the start of a multi-year programme. Getting into the WRC you can't be expected to be instantly competitive - it takes years to get up to speed. My plan goes right through 2012, so I'm looking to get time in the car this year, so in 2011 and 2012 I can be more competitive."

You're known around the world for your gymkhana internet videos, are you planning any more this year?
"Well, we've always got some fun plans. I'm blessed that I get to play in the most amazing cars on the planet. In my opinion rally cars are incredible vehicles; not only to race but also to have a lot of fun with. I really enjoy the racing aspect, and that's the basis of everything I do, but it's also fun to go out and take the cars and do other things like jump them or slide around a bit for some gymkhana type driving. We'll do a bit of that this year too."

Which car will be driving in this year's gymkhana videos?
"We'll use a Fiesta. In fact, the Olsberg shop in Sweden is building me a new gymkhana car right now - that's in addition to the [open class] car I'll use this year in the American Championship. We need a specific car for gymkhana because the suspension set-up and the power band is quite different to rally. To be able to break the tyres loose like that on tarmac and then control that spin takes at least 500 to 600 horsepower and a consistent amount of low end torque."

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