Tag: ken

Tanner Foust shreds at Ken Block Invitational Gymkhana Grid

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Specialty

Ken Block Invitational Gymkhana Grid – Click above for image gallery

When the smoke cleared this weekend at the inaugural Ken Block Invitational Gymkhana Grid event at Toyota’s Irwindale Speedway, Tanner Foust had claimed the top spot. The head-to-head event, which had drivers like Foust, Vaughn Gittin Jr., Andrew Comrie-Picard and host Ken Block cording brand-new tires in a matter of minutes, pitted powertrains (AWD or RWD) in the same brackets to keep things interesting. After several rounds of eliminations, it came down to just Foust and Block for the final – both drivers in similar 550 horsepower AWD Ford Fiestas. In the best-of-three sprints, Block ran nearly flawlessly, but Foust demonstrated inhuman levels of car control (720-degree spins just inches from a barrel) to take the first two races and the resulting overall win.

On a related side note: Earlier in the evening, Michael Essa, driving GSR Autosport’s 350R (a BMW V10-powered 3 Series), topped Vaughn Gittin to take the win at the Discount Tire burn-out contest. While other drivers spent their three minutes doing spins around the course, Essa simply cranked his steering wheel to the left and bounced off the rev-limiter (in third gear) until he disappeared into a thick gray cloud – liquidating his Nitto tires in 90 seconds of carnage.

Hit the jump to watch the complete battle between Block and Foust.

Gallery: Ken Block Invitational Gymkhana Grid

Ken Block Invitational Gymkhana Grid

[Photos: Mike McKay]


Continue reading Tanner Foust shreds at Ken Block Invitational Gymkhana Grid

Tanner Foust shreds at Ken Block Invitational Gymkhana Grid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block hypes Gymkhana GRID Invitational

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Ken Block presents Gymkhana GRID Invitational

Ken Block presents the Gymkhana GRID Invitational – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you haven’t seen parts one, two or three of Ken Block’s Gymkhana clips, then this must be your first time on the internet. First off, thanks for checking out Autoblog.com and second, you should probably click links one, two and three from the previous sentence… sorry, a “link” is one of the underlined words. Okay. Block is looking to expand Gymkhana from the solo event that we have now seen and turn it into a head-to-head automotive showdown, complete with tire-smoking, limiter-popping action.

The Gymkhana GRID, which will take place December 3 and 4 at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California, is a one-on-one showdown where two drivers attack mirrored examples of a course designed by Ken Block. A host of hot shoes will be on hand to try and knock Block off the top of the podium, including Tanner Foust, Vaughn Gitten Jr. and Andrew Comrie-Picard. Notably absent is one Travis Pastrana, which the video uses as a chance to call him out for making the move to NASCAR.

The Gymkhana GRID nonetheless sounds like it will be a rather fun event to watch – especially because of the level of talent taking to the track. Grab the e-brake and slide across the jump to check out a trailer for the event (*WARNING: language may be not safe for work).

[Source: Ken Block via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block hypes Gymkhana GRID Invitational

Video: Ken Block hypes Gymkhana GRID Invitational originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Who can do the better burnout, AJ Allmendinger or Ken Block?

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities

Ken Block and AJ Allmendinger

Ken Block and AJ Allmendinger do the burnout thing – Click above to watch video after the jump

Ford has released the fifth video in its 43 Fiestas series, and this time Ken Block and AJ Allmendinger have gone head-to-head to see who can do the best burnout. As always, Richard Petty himself is on hand to oversee the festivities. While you’d think Allmendinger’s ridiculous V8-powered, rear-wheel drive NASCAR beast would be the de facto champion of lighting ’em up, Block’s wee rally-sped Fiesta held its own this time *ahem* around. The Gymkhana champ fell back on his signature pirouette-around-a-fixed-object move to win an approving nod from the King himself. Not too shabby.

This latest stunt is one in a series leading up to a massive prize giveaway that includes tickets to the Ford 300 Nationwide and Ford 400 NASCAR races and flat-screen televisions. Ford will also give one lucky winner the keys to a 2011 Ford Fiesta, and if the company happens to take the win at the Ford 400, it will give 43 lucky winners their own unique Fiesta. You can head over to the 43 Fiestas site for more details, and hop the jump for a look at the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Who can do the better burnout, AJ Allmendinger or Ken Block?

Video: Who can do the better burnout, AJ Allmendinger or Ken Block? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block in Gymkhana Three Part 2

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Celebrities


Ken Block Gymkhana Three Part 2 – Click above to view the video after the jump

Gymkhana Three Part 1 left most of us cold, but the second installment of Ken Block’s Gymkhana series is finally upon us, and consider the series officially redeemed. If you haven’t clicked past the break yet… SPOILER ALERT: 360 alley-oop at the top of France’s l’Autodrome de Linas’ 51-degree bank. In a Ford Fiesta. Now… JUMP!

Gallery: Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three Part 2

Continue reading Video: Ken Block in Gymkhana Three Part 2

Video: Ken Block in Gymkhana Three Part 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block’s Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is not like the others, Part 2 coming in September

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Celebrities

Gymkhana 3: Part 1 – Click above to watch video after the jump

The long awaited countdown to rally superstar Ken Block’s Gymkhana 3 video has ended, and what was revealed today is a music video featuring a hip-hop group named The Cool Kids, with a little bit of Ken Block and his rally Fiesta sprinkled in.

Unlike the last two Gymkhana videos, which became instant YouTube sensations thanks to non-stop footage of Block doing amazing stunts behind the wheel of his rally Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchback, Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is a straight up music video informercial that shows off Block’s DC apparel and products more than his driving skill. When we do see the rally Fiesta in its Gymkhana debut, Block is either doing donuts or driving it directly into – and not around – things like paint cans and fluorescent bulbs.

We contacted Ken Block’s crew to see what the deal is, and were told that the plan is to separate the marketing from what the kids really want, which is footage of Block doing things with a car that prove he’s superhuman behind the wheel. So Part 1 of Gymkhana 3 is the one with the marketing message, while Part 2 we’re told will be much more like Gymkhana 1 with just the driving footage. When we asked when we can expect Gymkhana 3: Part 2 to drop, early-to-mid September was the answer.

Check out Gymkhana 3: Part 1 for yourself after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Ken Block’s Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is not like the others, Part 2 coming in September

Ken Block’s Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is not like the others, Part 2 coming in September originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block’s ADAC Rally prep is no match for mechanical failure

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities, Racing

Ken Block preps for the ADAC Rally – Click above to watch video after the jump

They don’t call it the World Rally Championship for nothing. The globe’s best and brightest descend on the pinnacle of the rally sport to duke it out all over the planet, and while Ken Block hasn’t fared as well as predicted this season, he’s at least made it to the point where he can step into the ring. Right before Block took to the ADAC Rally in a new Focus bruiser, he sat down to answer a few questions from the likes of the crew at 0-60 Magazine. At the time, Block had never ran a tarmac WRC rally and was busy practicing the wheels off of the new car.

That practice served him well. For the first time, it looked like Block was going to land points with a ninth place finish over all until the car’s alternator died on day three, effectively banishing him to the back of the pack once more. There’s just no beating bad luck. Hit the jump to watch the interview for yourself.

[Source: 0-60 Magazine via Cold Track Days]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block’s ADAC Rally prep is no match for mechanical failure

Video: Ken Block’s ADAC Rally prep is no match for mechanical failure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Offspeed Pitch: Richard Petty joins Ken Block, AJ Allmendinger in marketing Ford Fiesta?

Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities

Brace yourself, race fans. Things are about to get a little weird. Ford has decided to meld the seemingly unmeldable worlds of NASCAR and rally to help promote the 2011 Fiesta. Ken Block, Richard Petty and AJ Allmendinger have joined forces as an unholy trifecta of motorsports action, unified by their common love of the number 43. We don’t need to tell you that Petty famously campaigned old four-three in the heyday of NASCAR, netting 200 Sprint Cup wins and a total of seven championships in the process. Meanwhile, Block has established himself as one of America’s flashiest rally drivers, while Allmendinger has inherited Petty’s 43 throne in the current NASCAR series.

The three unlikely amigos will be campaigning for the Blue Oval’s new ’43 Fiestas’ sweepstakes, where entrants will have the opportunity to lay their hands on a bevy of prizes. A total of 43 first-place prize winners will walk away with a 40-inch LED-LCD HD flat-screen television, while another 43 grand-prize winners will receive airfare, lodging and tickets for two to the Ford 300 Nationwide series and the Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. If that wasn’t swank enough, one of the 43 grand-prize winners will drive home in a 2011 Fiesta.

But wait, there’s more. Should Allmendinger happen to take the checkered at the end of the race, all 43 grand-prize winners will win their very own Fiesta. Head over to the 43 Fiestas site to enter for you chance to win. You can also hop the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Ford Fiesta SES

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Ford via 43Fiestas.com]

Continue reading Offspeed Pitch: Richard Petty joins Ken Block, AJ Allmendinger in marketing Ford Fiesta?

Offspeed Pitch: Richard Petty joins Ken Block, AJ Allmendinger in marketing Ford Fiesta? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ford Fiesta takes care of the ‘Honey Do’ list, Ken Block style

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Humor

Ken Block takes out the trash – Click above to watch video after the jump

At some point during the development of the American vernacular, the term “grocery getter” became a term of condescension. Thing is, lugging around a few bags of consumables and clipping apexes don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Ford is hoping the average U.S. car buyer has outgrown the prejudices of his forebearers and is willing to jump into something with a hatchback. To help dispel any lingering thoughts of boredom, the Blue Oval has called on none other than Ken Block to use his guano-crazy Fiesta WRC rally racer to take care of a few household chores. Sideways.

The quick clip after the jump is filled with the kind of car control we’ve come to expect from Block, even with his recent run of bad luck in the WRC. If you like what you see in the video, you can register for a chance to win a 2011 Fiesta worked up to look just like Block’s racer. Something tells us the grand-prize car won’t be all-wheel drive, though. Hit the jump to watch the video, as well as check out the full press release with details on the drawing.

Gallery: Ken Block Gymkhana 3 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Ford Fiesta takes care of the ‘Honey Do’ list, Ken Block style

Video: Ford Fiesta takes care of the ‘Honey Do’ list, Ken Block style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block reveals possible Fiesta special edition collaboration with Ford in the works

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

Ken Block Gymkhana 3 Fiesta – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ken Block isn’t a World Rally Championship legend by any stretch, but thanks to his immensely entertaining Gymkhana videos, the glorified shoemaker can definitely lay claim to the title of YouTube Legend. And with Ford working the Internets hard during the launches of its new products like the Fiesta and Explorer, it made total sense that Ford would want to partner with the new media star.

The duo of Fiesta and Ken Block is less than a year old, but already there are some rumblings that Block edition Fiesta could be in the works. How about a DC Shoes edition Fiesta? In a recent radio interview with KROQ, Block was asked if there was a KB Fiesta on the way, and he responded with “we’re discussing those types of things but there’s nothing set in stone at this point.” Block went on to add that for now, he wants to concentrate on racing and developing new competition cars.

So, no definitive news on the Ken Block edition Fiesta front, but the two parties are at least thinking about a special model. We can’t see how this is a bad idea, considering that 30 million potential car buyers waiting patiently for Gymkhana 3 – we couldn’t think of a better way to announce a special edition Fiesta than by starring in another Block-buster internet flick (sorry, we couldn’t resist). Head over to the KROQ website to listen to the interview. Hat tip to Joe B!

Gallery: Ken Block Gymkhana 3 Ford Fiesta

[Source: KROQ]

Ken Block reveals possible Fiesta special edition collaboration with Ford in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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