We all know Ken Block is a cool guy and a self-made millionaire, but what nobody seems willing to admit is that the guy can’t drive. Well, maybe he has some talent, but not nearly as much as Ford and Monster Energy Drink’s PR machine would have us believe.

Although he has some of the most successful viral videos to his credit, Block has only scored a total of two points in WRC over three whole seasons. It seems like without a purpose built, hydraulic-handbrake equipped car and some quality video editing, Block can’t pull it together. Hit the jump and decide for yourself.

Video after the jump

[Source: Youtube]

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As if we needed another reason to be jealous of Ken Block. The millionaire entrepreneur and rally driver has a full sponsorship package with both Ford and Monster Energy Drinks just got a brand spanking new Ford Focus RS thanks to The Blue Oval’s generosity.

Wearing Michigan manufacturer plates, the Focus RS is painted in the car’s signature green color, with black Volks Racing wheels added in to make the car look a bit different from the other Focus RS that resides in the U.S.A, also painted the same shade of green. The car is fairly stock for now, with a KW Variant suspension being the other major modification, but a host of power upgrades and a skull and crossbones motif on the headrests of the Recaro seats are expected to appear on the RS post-SEMA.

Gallery: Ford Focus RS

The third installment of the Ken Block Gymkhana video series has finally been released, with the rally star showing off just what his new Monster Energy Drink, DC Shoes Ford Fiesta can do. And it’s impressive!

After a sell-out Gymkhana Three, Part 1 (basically a crappy music video), we’re glad to see Block doing what he does best – this time at l’Autodrome de Linas –Montlhéry, an oval track just south of Paris, France. Notable on the track are 51 degree banked turns, more than double the steepness of a NASCAR oval.

It may not be as glamorous as the light bulbs and paint, but Block shows off incredible driving skill performing stunts in incredibly tight spaces and even circling a moving segway.

Now check out the video after the jump:

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As part of Ford’s latest Fiesta promotion, Ford is enlisting the help of NASCAR stars Richard Petty and A.J. Allmendinger as well as newly minted rally legend Ken Block.

The contest, called “43 Fiestas“,  has Ford giving away 43 flat screen TVs, 43 ticket-and-hotel packages to the Ford NASCAR 400 Sprint Cup race and one specially prepared Ford Fiesta to a lucky winner. However, if Allmendinger wins the race, 43 Fiestas will be given away to all of the grand-prize contestants.

Ford has filmed two videos to promote the contest, and the “competition” video contains a predictable ending, and some poorly delivered lines by Petty. Remember to keep your prejudices in check when watching the video; Allmendinger, despite driving a NASCAR Fusion, has substantial open wheel experience in everything from a Formula Ford to a Champ Car. Block, on the other hand, is a glorified pay driver/marketing figurehead.

Hit the jump to see the official videos

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So after a disappointing part 1 to Ken Block’s long-awaited Gymkhana 3, we’re now teased with a simple photo that could be worth a thousand words, but really only two come to our mind.  Oh ****!  The clever video producers posted up a Craigslist ad of two clearly used Volk Racing TE-37 wheels that sport an unmistakable shade. Clearly Ken Block has taken it up a notch for the upcoming video.

The video is scheduled to show up on September 14th and rumor has it that it was filmed in France utilizing Ken Block’s Rally Ford Fiesta. We just worry that our expectations are going to be so high that we’ll be disappointed, but seeing what mayhem caused the result of these wheels and what’s left of a shredded tire is sure to be exciting. We expect to see tires falling off of wheels and sparks… lots of pretty little sparks.

[Source: Craigslist]

And if you haven’t already, waste a few precious minutes watching Gymkhana 3 Part 1 after the jump (or don’t):

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The marketing forces that control Ken Block’s driving career have taken the legendary Gymkhana video series that he stars in to a whole new level. The problem is, that new level isn’t in the direction we’d hoped.

The genius of the Gymkhana videos is that they marketed Block’s sponsors like DC Shoes and Monster Energy Drink using a clever and entertaining bit of automotive shenanigans that achieved internet fame in a truly viral way. Having left Subaru and moved over to Ford, there’s been quite a buildup to the Gymkhana 3 video. Instead of delivering as promised, the new installment isn’t the paint-splattering, florescent light-busting, tire shredding insanity of the past two. Instead its a music video previewing the actual nonsense (Part 2) that is set to drop in September. Worse yet, its an incongruous mix of urban pop culture with the rather un-urban DC Shoes brand.

The video itself is really just a music video by a group called The Cool Kids, with very little Ken Block hoonage and plenty of offensively obvious logos. Like past Gymkhana’s the video starts with a disclaimer that states it is, “a blatant but cleverly crafted marketing scheme to sell products.” Blatant, yes. Clever, hardly.

I you’re still interested, check out the video after the jump:

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Ken Block’s long awaited Part I of his Gymkhana 3 automotive acrobatics video is set to drop on Tuesday, much to the delight of drooling fanboys and Rally enthusiasts everywhere.

The third Gymkhana video will be the first Gymkhana where his Ford Fiesta will feature as the star car, rather than Block’s previous Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchbacks. Block’s alliance with Ford, as well as his rising profile in XGames rally, should mean that the newest Gymkhana video will be the most elaborate yet. So far, Block has only released this teaser image, but in a mere 24 hours, we can expect all manner of controlled sliding and heavily edited driving shenanigans.

[Source: Inside Line]

Now that Ford has wrestled Ken Block away from the clutches of Subaru, the company is looking to leverage their alliance with the internet superstar beyond their collaboration with the new Fiesta and the upcoming rally car based off the compact hatchback.

In an interview with radio station KROQ, Block was asked about a special edition Fiesta named after him, DC Shoes or one of his other sponsors. Block was only willing to give the standard “We’re discussing those types of things but there’s nothing set in stone at this point,” answer, but it would be foolish of Ford not to leverage his high profile and large fanbase.

With Block already an “internet celebrity”, and the web being a crucial component of the Fiestas marketing campaign, don’t be surprised if the new model shows up in another installment of the Gymkhana videos.

[Source: KROQ]

As Ford Racing just announced, they will be supplying 43 Fiestas to the Team O’Neil Rally School in New Hampshire in order to create the Fiesta Rally School. The O’Neil Rally School will outfit each Fiesta with a roll bar, rally suspension, and off-road tires so that aspiring rally drivers can safely learn the Scandinavian flick and other sideways rally driving techniques.

This partnership further solidifies Ford‘s commitment to using the new Fiesta as their global rally car in 2011 and beyond, where it’ll be seen running in the FIA World Rally Championship and in Rally America with highly skilled hoonage provided by the likes of DC Shoes headman and rallying driver extraordinaire Ken Block.

The 43 donor Fiestas are being repurposed from the 100 European-spec versions that arrived in North America for the Fiesta Movement. The Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience will be the only rally experience offered by a manufacturer in North America, which combined with the Ford Racing School of High Performance Driving at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah gives the blue oval an impressive motorsports presence on both sides of the country.

“Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience will provide consumers with the opportunity to experience Fiesta in a true rally environment,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford and Lincoln Marketing. “From learning how to drive high-performance Mustangs on the track at Miller Motorsports to driving a Fiesta on a rally road course at Team O’Neil, these driving schools allow consumers to experience our products in unique and different environments.”

“The opportunity to find a second life for nearly half of the cars from the Fiesta Movement is a way to keep alive the legacy these cars have brought to the Fiesta launch in North America,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “Fiesta’s nimble driving dynamics and precise handling attributes make it a perfect fit to serve as a rally school car at Team ONeil.”

“Our philosophy at Team O’Neil is to teach drivers how to master front-wheel drive in order to keep speed in the corners, accelerate through the corners, and use the brake to make a turn,” said Tim O’Neil, five-time U.S. and North America rally racing champion. “Fiesta is a strong, light, front-wheel-drive car. The addition of Ford Racing-developed performance parts including an rally suspension, underbody protection and roll bar gives us a great future with these cars.”

For more information on Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience and to register, go to www.teamoneil.com

Ken Block might not be driving for Subaru any more, but he’s still sponsored by Monster Energy Drink and is still up to his old tricks. Ahead of its debut later today, Ken Block’s Ford Fiesta Monster Rally Team has released a teaser of Gymkhana Three – featuring the new Ford Fiesta rally car. The clip doesn’t show much and frankly were half worried the full video won’t live up to the hype. In fact, we’re pretty sure it might flop, just because the whole Gymkhana thing is a little overdone right now.

Still, we look forward to being wrong and to enjoying some automotive acrobatics.

The video is set to make its debut at 8 p.m. on the West Coast.

See after the jump for the teaser video, plus Block’s past Gymkhana stunts:

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When spy photos first showed up on the Internet of Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s new 2011 drift Ford Mustang, many were curious on why it didn’t sport the atypical Falken Tire paint scheme. We knew he was out testing with the rest of the team, so it was clear that his “secret sponsor” would be huge and probably wanting priority on the colors campaigned on the car. So when Gittin finally debuted the car sporting an all out Monster Energy scheme, we applauded. It’s the perfect fit for the brand, throwing themselves into the mix of energy drinks that are already flying colors through Formula DRIFT competition.

Monster Energy Drink is famously known for sponsoring Ken Block, gymkhana-extraordinaire. His over-the-top videos have shocked the world and garnered the attention of millions with a simple click of an upload button to YouTube. Gittin Jr. has a similar personality as Block, driving the wheels and tires (literally!) off his Mustang in previous years of competition. Gittin has also become the poster child for the Ford Mustang Drifting-brand, having done much in his off-season to promote the Mustang chassis. He even showed off his own RTR-C Mustang at SEMA 2009.

The exterior styling of the 2011 Mustang has been changed to resemble Gittin’s RTR-C variation on the street. His relationship with HRE Wheels has always been outstanding, so it’s no surprise that he’s sporting some new ones. Falken Tires is now campaigning a new RT-615K tire for their drift team. Other than that, while the new 2011 Mustang sports a 5.0-liter V8, this drift ‘Stang still uses a 4.6L supercharged V8 from last season, laying down well-over 600-hp. The great news is, Justin Pawlak (who previously drove the Bergenholtz RX-8 we reported on earlier) will be driving Gittin’s 2010 Mustang in competition this year. Plenty of American muscle swinging sideways! We’re excited to be at Formula DRIFT Long Beach this weekend!

[Source: VaughnGittin.com]

Gallery: 2011 Falken Tire / Monster Energy Drink Ford Mustang

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Ford and Monster Energy certainly are doing a great job of promoting the new Fiesta and Ken Block, but so far there hasn’t much else than hype to talk about. Ford’s Fiesta Pikes Peak cars were a disappointment and while Block has a great track record, nothing has come of the pairing yet.

Block has signed on with Ford to race a Fiesta rally car in the Rally America series this year and while he’s shown us what he can do, during some practice time in the video above, unfortunately he registered a DNF over the weekend during the first race of the season at the Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta, Michigan.

First place in the Open class went to Block’s old team, Subaru Rally Team USA, with a WRX STi piloted by Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom. Second place went to the Rockstar Mitsubishi EVO X of Antoine L’Estage and  Nathalie Richard, while the third place on the podium was captured by William Bacon and Peter Watt in an EVO IX.

The next race of the series is the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, February 26-27 in Salem, MO.

[Source: RallyAmerica]

Above is one of the first images of a very mean looking Ford Fiesta that rally car driver and stunt man Ken Block will pilot in the 2010 Rally America Championship. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and putting power to the ground using all four wheels, this custom built rally car is built by Swedish race shop Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution – the very same outfit that Ford’s Pikes Peak hillclimb cars, which were raced by the likes of Marcus Gronholm.

As is rather obvious from the car’s livery, Block continues to be sponsored by Monster Energy Drink.

Block has also signed on with Ford to race a Ford Focus rally car in the WRC (World Rally Championship) series overseas.

Block will debut his new Fiesta rally car this weekend at the Sno*Drift Rally Atlanta, MI.

GALLERY: Ken Block Ford Fiesta Rally Car

See after the jump for video of Ken Blocks’s new Ford Fiesta rally car:

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American stunt driver and Subaru USA Rally America driver Ken Block (left) is close to getting the call to the big leagues. AutoSport is reporting that Block is close to a deal with Ford that would seem him driving in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the world’s premiere rally car racing series.

The deal will reportedly see Block keep his Monster Energy Drink sponsorship from his Subaru days as he drives for Ford with team mate Chris Atkinson – another former Subaru driver. With both Ford and Block on board, the WRC series, which is immensely popular overseas, finaly has a chance at real fame in the lucrative North American market.

WRC marketing expert Simon Long described Block, who’s two viral YouTube Gymkhana videos have received tens of millions of views, as “an iconic figure in US motorsport and a major box office personality.” He also went on to say that, “It wouldn’t get much better than this for the WRC going into North America.”

The deal is reported to go through next month and will see Block sign on with Ford for three seasons, starting next year.

[Source: AutoSport]

IMV+Films+Gymkhana+Practice+(SPOOF+VIDEO)

We haven’t laughed this hard in a while! The folks at IMV Films, known for illegal stunt drive movies like Vehicular Lunatics, have just released an amazing parody of the high-budget Ken Block Gymkhana video and this bit of cenematographic genious is anything but. While it might not be as visually stunning, it is outrageously funny, especially when the part where the team spoofs the paint-balling scene in Block’s second Gymkhana video opting instead to use a fake member of the Taliban and some roman candles. But we won’t ruin it for you… watch for yourself.

Unlike Block’s big-budget Subaru/Monster Energy Drink commercial, the team doesn’t use a fancy rally-prepped Subaru WRX STI, but rather a completely beat-up  Subaru 2.5 RS. The IMV team also didn’t bother to rent out a private facility, instead opting to do all their shenanigans on the open road, endangering not only their own lives but the lives of everyone around them.

We do not condone this behavior, but thanks for the laughs.

[Source: IMV Films and StreetFire.net]