WRC FINLAND 2012: KEN BLOCK FORCED TO RETIRE AFTER HARD LANDING

August 4th, 2012, Jyväskylä, Finland – Monster World Rally Team driver Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino were having a fantastic rookie Rally Finland until SS14 on day three of racing. A landing after a jump 4km in on the stage broke their control arm bracket, which resulted in a loss of steering. This forced Block into a wild skid to the edge of the road, where he then pulled off course and immediately retired, knocking him out of the remainder of the rally.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” said Block. “I was having a really great rally up until SS14. I’d stayed consistent and clean through days one and two and we’d managed to work ourselves up 7 positions yesterday from 17th to 10th overall. To have been in points-scoring position here in Finland my first time ever is an incredible feeling, I was definitely exceeding my personal expectations for my performance at the event. It’s a shame that I got knocked out by a mechanical failure—especially before I got to take a run on Ouninpohja! Hopefully I’ll be able to come back in the future and race Rally Finland again.”

Prior to the mechanical failure on SS14 of Rally Finland, Block and Gelsomino had logged two solid days of racing at what is regarded by most as the WRC’s toughest event on the calendar. Prior to their retirement on Saturday’s second stage, the pair were sitting in 10th overall, which, had they maintained the position, would have marked their third consecutive WRC rally this season with points being scored. Unfortunately, the mechanical failure brought their streak to an end.

“I’m extremely proud of how Ken drove here in Finland,” said team manager Derek Dauncey. “Finland is such a tough event, even for the top drivers who have done the event for years and years. For him to come out and put down pace that was quick enough to work himself into the top ten while still keeping the car clean and on the road really shows just how much natural talent he has behind the wheel. I’m confident that if he hadn’t suffered the mechanical failure, he would have maintained his position and scored points here.”

Source: MWRT