After the initial announcement that Ken Block would be in the WRC and going global with Ford and Monster Energy Drink, that was it. Rallybuzz.com has released an article that explains some details in regards to Chris Atkinson as well as Ken Block’s WRC schedule. When the idea of the deal was first announced last fall, we were put under the impression that Chris would be in a second Ford Focus WRC. The latest details now have the former Subaru WRC driver out of the team until at least the…
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Episode 22 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike, Doug, and myself this week as we get into IndyCar winter meetings, VW snubbing IndyCar and every other form of racing, Dakar, WRC/IRC and the sorry but always entertaining world of Formula 1. See if Doug and Mike like their Jersey Shore nicknames…
Read MoreRally – Kimi Finally Drives C4
Kimi Raikkonen completed his first run in his new Citroen C4 today ahead of his opening test in the Artic Rally. The Finn met with his Citroen Junior squad and ran approximately 50 kilometers in the Red Bull sponsored machine. Prior to today, Raikkonen had yet to drive a full WRC machine as he has only ran a Fiat Super 2000 up to this point. Kimi is one of the big names that the WRC added in the offseason as he completed his defection from F1. The Artic Rally that…
Read MoreRally – Ford and Block Join Forces
After months of “rumor” and speculation as to the future of Ken Block, we finally have our answer and it is more than we could have hoped for. Ford will now team up with Ken for a global sports push in 2010. What does this mean you ask? Ken will drive in the 2010 World Rally Championship in a Ford Focus WRC and run Rally America events in the all new and amazing Ford Fiesta. Specific event breakdown has not been outlined at the moment. This is huge news after…
Read MoreEpisode 20 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and I this week as we usher in a new year and discuss the return of Schumacher. We also bring up some other interesting F1 points and how they have a lot in common with the drug bums. We also preview the first race of the 2010 season as our offseason is over it is time to talk Dakar 2010!
Read MoreRally – WRC Safari in 2012
One of the largest complaints I have been hearing in regards to the FIA World Rally Championship is the lack of legacy events. Kenya and the Safari Rally are hoping to change a little of that in 2012. The Safari Rally was one of the most beautiful on the calendar and a fan favorite for many years. The event was eventually cut due to lack of funding, but due to some inner workings of the FIA, the event may once again grace the WRC calendar. The event has been on…
Read MoreRally – Block Confirms WRC Ambitions
The hope of seeing Ken Block competing in the WRC in a Monster-sponsored Ford isn’t dead yet. RallySport Magazine put out an article today stating that Ken Block and Chris Atkinson are still working very hard on a WRC program with M-Sport for 2010. “We are still negotiating all contracts,” Ken Block told RallySport Magazine today. “We should have everything wrapped up and announced in early January.” I’m already excited enough about the 2010 WRC season, but Block getting into a Ford would just put it over the top for…
Read MoreEpisode 18 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and I as we discuss Le Mans and the International Cup. We also cover all the big motorsport conventions from this week and the great news that came from them. Britain again has a GP and we discuss it. We also talk rally feeder series and even mention Danica to NASCAR.
Read MoreRally – Gronholm Returns to Sweden
Marcus Gronholm has tackled many every rally out there during his long career. However, one stands out more than others. Rally Sweden and the world famous Sagen stage have always been one of the Finns favorite. Gronholm has announced that he will be in an M-Sport Ford Focus for the Swedish round in 2010. The rally kicks off on 12 February and is the only snow event on the calendar this year. Gronholm has won Sweden five times and should be right back at home in the Ford Focus. It…
Read MoreWRC – Todt Holds Rally Development Forum
Well, many of us F1 fans were greatly disappointed in Todt’s victory over Ari Vatanen for the FIA presidency, but there are some positive things that M. Todt is doing. First of all, surpasses his predecessor by realizing that there’s more to the FIA that Formula 1. The WRC isn’t as strong as it used to be, and in response, the FIA held a forum to discuss ways to improve the FIA involvement in rallying at all levels. The forum was attended by several manufactures, Ford and Citroen who are…
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