Monster Energy Ford Team

**Doon** · 14th Oct 09, 20:10

I read in Motorsport News that Ken Block is planning to start his own team, doing selected rounds in 2010 and a full season in 2011. He is currently in talks with Malcolm Wilson....

....and that Chris Atkinson will drive the 2nd car.

Anyone else heard this?

**Juha_Koo** · 14th Oct 09, 20:15

Sounds interesting. I've gotten the image that Atko and Block are friends, so I guess it has some sense to it.

**Francis44** · 14th Oct 09, 20:29

OH NOES!!!!

Just kidding....

Now seriously, from all american rally drivers, Block is the only one i really think that has the chance to shine, he's fast and unlike Pastrana he does rally because he likes and if he takes Atkinson with it than major good news!!!!

**N.O.T** · 14th Oct 09, 20:34

yes Brock/block/glock or what his name is should quit doing those promotion american stuff running around cones and cows and small cats and try some real rallying and see if he is man enough.....Pastrana another wonder boy wasting his time doing everything tried rallying and got creamed.

**pettersolberg29** · 14th Oct 09, 20:35

Would be great news. Wilson wants Block but its a matter of money. Personally I'd have thought Block has money by the barrowfull to give for a top car.

**Doon** · 14th Oct 09, 20:50

Originally Posted by pettersolberg29

Would be great news. Wilson wants Block but its a matter of money. Personally I'd have thought Block has money by the barrowfull to give for a top car.

I guess he has, and I think he'd be about Rautencrash pace......but it would be worth helping Atko out!

Saw a video of Block and Atko playin in Mk2's, so i guess they are mates. I hope it comes together.

**wotaguy** · 14th Oct 09, 21:14

he has gained a bigger profile , thanks to dirt 2, if he is bringing money to the table, theres no harm another team in wrc is great news, but lets not start the slagging off block/pastrana thing again threr rally drivers all the same , irespective of there expierance

**306 Cosworth** · 14th Oct 09, 21:19

A Focus WRC would look pretty cool in Monster colours

**Allyc85** · 14th Oct 09, 21:31

Agreed, surely some photoshop experts can knock something up

**Mirek** · 14th Oct 09, 21:32

Hummer WRC would be better

**grugsticles** · 15th Oct 09, 00:06

Now Im going to go out on a lib here and possibly get shot down drastically, but oh well...

Is it just me or is Rallying as we know it about to make a big change?
To me, the American influence on rallying (through Blocks participation and his marketing stunts) isnt really a good thing.
Yes, the guy has more skill than most Joe Blow's,
Yes, the guy has seemingly substantial backing,
Yes, the more interest generated in the sport the better in the long term,

but...

do we really want rallying, which in my mind is an art form of navigating a car through a wide variety of stages while thinking tactically about road position, grip levels, mechanical preservation, all in the quickest possible time as opposed to a larger/longer version of the X games/Race Of Champions that its turning into be?

If there is truth to the Block/Atkinson relationship and possible partnership id be absolutely stoked as I believe Chris deserves a decent chance at the WRC title. If a good deal is done there, similar to Petter/Citreon's current deal, then I dont see why Chris couldn't be a world champion.

**N.O.T** · 15th Oct 09, 00:25

Originally Posted by grugsticles

Now Im going to go out on a lib here and possibly get shot down drastically, but oh well...

Is it just me or is Rallying as we know it about to make a big change?
To me, the American influence on rallying (through Blocks participation and his marketing stunts) isnt really a good thing.
Yes, the guy has more skill than most Joe Blow's,
Yes, the guy has seemingly substantial backing,
Yes, the more interest generated in the sport the better in the long term,

but...

do we really want rallying, which in my mind is an art form of navigating a car through a wide variety of stages while thinking tactically about road position, grip levels, mechanical preservation, all in the quickest possible time as opposed to a larger/longer version of the X games/Race Of Champions that its turning into be?

If there is truth to the Block/Atkinson relationship and possible partnership id be absolutely stoked as I believe Chris deserves a decent chance at the WRC title. If a good deal is done there, similar to Petter/Citreon's current deal, then I dont see why Chris couldn't be a world champion.

rallying is not yet threated by those american jokes yet...look at pastrana he came he saw how ridiculous he was and left.....same goes for this guy he will come he will get creamed by the rallying nobodies and will return home to continue his fake stage stunts and slow motion cameras and a million tries before they look good.

**Tomi** · 15th Oct 09, 05:32

If this rumour is true it would be good for Atkinson, but there is so much crap made up in mindless heads people post as rumour , a good example is Räikkönen is joining Solbergs team, lol, very likely yes.

**L5->R5/CR** · 15th Oct 09, 06:36

Originally Posted by N.O.T

yes Brock/block/glock or what his name is should quit doing those promotion american stuff running around cones and cows and small cats and try some real rallying and see if he is man enough.....Pastrana another wonder boy wasting his time doing everything tried rallying and got creamed.

Ken has done some international events (with not so stellar results).

Whether he has the driving skill to be successful I do not know nor profess him to have.

He does, however, understand what it takes, and where his skills are.

His passion, desire, and dedication are very Petter like...

Ken's showmanship would be interesting to see in the WRC as he brings a certain entertainment and personality quotient to events.

Personally I think he would be smarter to run the S2000 cup, but I can see the motivation to expand his calendar as the current situation in the states for rallying as it relates to his team is about to radically change.

Doubtful he'll be much slower than Wilson, Al-Qassimi, and Conrad after a season under his belt...

Also, from the FWIW department, I would think it more likely that it would be a single car effort unless Monster brings A LOT of money to the table, as I would expect Ken to not make more than half of the events so unless they only run a second car some of the time Catko and Ken trading off would be more likely (although there are other American's Malcolm is keen on that maybe could fill a second seat?)...

**WRCfan** · 15th Oct 09, 07:19

I think DC would be brought in to front a good chunk of the cash. Ken has said time and time again how passionate he is for the sport.

I think it could be viable, Monster is going crazy with sponsorship recently. DC shoes would not be short of cash to pay up either with Ken being the co-founder of the company.

If it gets Atko back in the seat then its a win win!

Also a Monster Focus would be an eye catcher!

**macksrallye** · 15th Oct 09, 07:29

Originally Posted by L5->R5/CR

the current situation in the states for rallying as it relates to his team is about to radically change.

What do you mean?

**ProRally** · 15th Oct 09, 07:48

oho... the car is out of the bag now....

**urabus-denoS2000** · 15th Oct 09, 08:40

Block owns Monster too?

I think that if he comes to WRC it will be a win-win situation for everyone

**bluuford** · 15th Oct 09, 08:43

Originally Posted by Doon

I guess he has, and I think he'd be about Rautencrash pace......but it would be worth helping Atko out!

Saw a video of Block and Atko playin in Mk2's, so i guess they are mates. I hope it comes together.

Well, I think you are bit hard on him. Looking his times on New Zealand I believe he would be bit faster that Rautenbach from the word Go!

And I think that the team would be Super 2000 cup with new Fiesta. It is somehow logical that an American is going to take part in WRC in American brand. Definitely it would be good for the overall rallying publicity in US. And you have to remember that Block practically did those few international rallies as his first proper rallies. As I understood, they are not writing pace notes on their own in US?