Ken Block is one of the most well-known rally drivers in the world. He competed in the World Rally Championship and Rally America with the Monster World Rally Team between 2007 and 2018. During that time, Block was closely associated with Ford and drove Ford rally cars for the majority of his career.
However, in September 2018 it was announced that Ken Block would be parting ways with Ford at the end of the year. This came as a surprise to many fans who closely followed Block’s exploits in Ford vehicles over the years. So why exactly did Ken Block decide to leave Ford after such a long and successful partnership?
Ken Block’s History with Ford
Ken Block started out his rallying career in 2005 driving for the Subaru World Rally Team in Group N sedans. However, starting in 2007 he made the switch to Ford and began competing in aFocus RS WRC 07 as part of the Monster World Rally Team. This began Block’s long association with Ford.
Over the next several years, Block campaigned Fiesta, Focus, and Fiesta RS WRC cars entered by the Monster World Rally Team but with heavy support from Ford. He competed full-time in the WRC from 2010-2012 and part-time from 2013-2014, scoring multiple podium finishes for Ford along the way.
Outside of the WRC, Ken Block also used Ford vehicles for his wildly popular Gymkhana YouTube video series. These excessive exhibitions of driving skill portrayed Block sliding, spinning, and blasting various generations of high-powered Fords through obstacle-filled closed courses.
The Gymkhana videos featured appearances from the Ford Fiesta HFHV, Fiesta ST RX43, Focus RS RX, and Focus RS RTR, among others. They racked up hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and helped cement Block’s image as the preeminent Ford rally driver.
Key Ford Vehicles Driven by Ken Block:
- Ford Focus RS WRC 07 (2007-2010)
- Ford Fiesta RS WRC (2010-2012)
- Ford Fiesta ST RX43 (Gymkhana Four, 2011)
- Ford Fiesta HFHV (Gymkhana Five, 2012)
- Ford Focus RS RX (Gymkhana Six, 2013)
- Ford Fiesta ST RX43 (Gymkhana Seven, 2014)
- Ford Focus RS RX (Gymkhana Eight, 2016)
- Ford Focus RS RTR (Gymkhana Nine, 2017)
Why Did Ken Block Leave Ford?
In September 2018, right before the reveal of Gymkhana Ten, Ken Block shockingly announced the end of his partnership with Ford. What were the reasons behind this split after 11 highly successful seasons together in the WRC and Gymkhana series?
Desire for New Opportunities
After over a decade associated with Ford, Block likely wanted to pursue new challenges and opportunities driving other makes and models. Competing exclusively in Ford vehicles in rally, rallycross, and Gymkhana meant Block was somewhat pigeonholed as a Ford driver.
Block stated that he left on good terms and simply wanted “to broaden my driving and brand portfolio a bit”. Leaving Ford opened up partnerships with other automakers for Block’s racing and content creation endeavors.
Move from Rally to Rallycross Focus
Another reason for the split was connected to the winding down of Block’s WRC aspirations. After dabbling part-time in the WRC from 2013-2014, he stepped away entirely to focus his racing efforts on the Rallycross championships.
This aligned better with sponsor Monster Energy’s interests, but moved Block away from Ford’s primary involvement in the WRC. So with rally taking a backseat, it made sense for Block to seek out partnerships better suited to rallycross and Gymkhana.
Gymkhana Production Changes
The hugely successful Gymkhana video series was undergoing changes behind the scenes as well. For the first nine videos, production duties were handled by DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block. But in 2018 Block co-founded the new media company Hoonigan Industries to take over Gymkhana production.
This shift in the creative team and production company afforded an opportunity to move Gymkhana in a new direction away from being so Ford-centric. It gave Block and Hoonigan Industries more flexibility regarding automotive partnerships and vehicle selection moving forward.
Initial Reactions to Ken Block Leaving Ford
The racing and rally communities reacted with surprise to Ken Block’s announcement that his 11-year Ford partnership was coming to an end. Here were some of the initial reactions from fans and industry sources:
Surprise
Many fans expressed genuine astonishment that Block was moving on from Ford. The partnership had lasted over a decade and seemed ingrained in Block’s racing identity. But the split reinforced that sponsorships don’t last forever in the world of motorsports.
Speculation on Future
With Block leaving Ford, much speculation swirled about what automaker he would partner up with next. Rumors suggested companies ranging from Honda to Audi were interested in bringing Block on board. This demonstrated the wide appeal Block had generated.
Disappointment
Some Ford and Ken Block fans conveyed disappointment that the successful partnership was ending. They had loved seeing Block sliding Ford cars around tracks and didn’t want that to change. But most understood the split was amicable and that Block wanted new challenges.
Curiosity About Gymkhana Ten
Gymkhana Ten was slated to come out right after the announcement of Block leaving Ford. Many fans were extremely curious what vehicle Block would use in the video, given his Ford ties were now severed. Speculation ran rampant leading up to the release.
What Car Did Ken Block Drive in Gymkhana Ten?
When Gymkhana Ten finally dropped on YouTube in early October 2018, it opened with Ken Block introducing the vehicle he would be piloting in the video – the 1983 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2.
This iconic, boxy rally car was a dramatic departure from the modern turbocharged Ford compacts that Block had drifted in Gymkhanas past. The Quattro marked the official end of Block’s Ford affiliation, at least in his content creation.
Using an iconic vintage Audi rally machine got people’s attention and signaled that Block was serious about trying something different. The Quattro was also fitting for the Gymkhana Ten course, which was based on Block’s custom-built “Climbkhana” hill climb track in Tianmen, China.
Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 Highlights:
- Homologated for Group B rally racing
- Inline 5-cylinder turbocharged engine
- 602 horsepower
- All-wheel drive system
- Lightweight carbon kevlar body panels
- One of the most successful Group B rally cars of all time
The Quattro S1 was the perfect unexpected vehicle for Ken Block to debut his post-Ford era in. It kicked off a new diverse mix of makes and models that would be featured in future Gymkhana installments.
What Vehicles Did Ken Block Drive After Leaving Ford?
Since parting ways with Ford at the end of 2018, Ken Block has driven a wide array of vehicles in competition, content creation, and his personal collection:
Audi S1 EKS RX Quattro (GYM11, 2019)
After the air-cooled Sport Quattro S1 in Gymkhana 10, Block followed up with a more modern and modified version of the Audi rally icon for Gymkhana 11 in 2019. The mid-engined, 600hp Quattro S1 EKS RX paid homage to Block’s first Audi choice.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth (GRiD Series, 2019)
Though no longer tied directly to Ford, Block couldn’t resist getting behind the wheel of this 1990s rally legend for the Gymkhana GRiD showcase series in 2019. The iconic Escort RS Cosworth was a fitting choice.
Subaru WRX STI (American Rally Association, 2019-2022)
Block returned to his very first rally marque by racing a Vermont SportsCar-prepared WRX STI in the American Rally Association. He won back-to-back ARA driver’s titles in 2020 and 2021, showing the dominant pace of the Subaru.
Audi S1 (GRiD Series, 2020)
Sticking with his recent Audi kick, Block drove an electrified S1 model with 670hp in the Gymkhana 2020 GRiD showcase event. The futuristic looking S1 demonstrated Audi’s plans for electric performance vehicles.
Ford Escort Cosworth (GYM12, 2022)
Block circled back to the Ford Escort Cosworth for Gymkhana 12 in 2022, powered by a tuned EcoBoost inline 3-cylinder engine. The classic Escort trading paint with Travis Pastrana’s Subaru was a dream pairing.
Porsche 911 Dakar (2022-Present)
Block’s latest ride for content creation is this outrageous 911 Dakar. The widebody 911 rally beast pays homage to Porsche’s Dakar rally heritage. Block has been racking up YouTube views drifting this 911 in the desert.
| Year | Vehicle | Series/Video |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Audi S1 EKS RX Quattro | Gymkhana 11 |
| 2019 | Ford Escort RS Cosworth | GRiD Series |
| 2019-2022 | Subaru WRX STI | American Rally Association |
| 2020 | Audi S1 | GRiD Series |
| 2022 | Ford Escort Cosworth | Gymkhana 12 |
| 2022-Present | Porsche 911 Dakar | YouTube series |
Conclusion
Ken Block’s departure from Ford after 11 rally-filled seasons together was a surprise to many. But it was an amicable split driven by Block’s desire for new challenges and partners after so long flying the Ford banner. This opened up exciting new opportunities for Block behind the wheel of vehicles like the Audi Quattro S1 and Porsche 911 Dakar.
Block is likely to continue diversifying the cars he pilots for content creation and racing as he pursues fresh projects post-Ford. But Ford will always remain an indelible part of his history in the world of motorsports. The combination of Block’s skills and Fords like the Focus RS delivered rally fans unforgettable moments for over a decade.