WRC Rally Sweden 2011 Day 1 Part 1

Ken Block. WRC Sweden 2011. INSANE JUMP AT COLINS CREST

Helping to solidify his reputation as the ultimate hoonigan, Monster World Rally Team driver Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino set the longest jump of Rally Sweden on SS2 Vargåsen in their 2011 Monster Energy Ford Fiesta RS WRC, at the infamous Colin’s Crest.

Named after the late, great Colin McRae, Colin’s Crest is one of the fan favorites in terms of places to watch during WRC Sweden. As driver’s come down the course, fans mark and keep track of how far the cars travel through the air, seeing if anyone has the ability to match the air-time standard set by McRae back in the day.

WRC Sweden has drivers seeing Vargåsen twice during the course of day 2. On the first pass during SS2, Block and Gelsomino covered an airborne distance of 37 meters, securing the Colin’s Crest Award for the longest jump of the day. Later in the afternoon during SS5, the duo upped the ante and added another 2 meters to their first effort for a total of 39 meters of jumping distance, solidifying their hoon status and giving the fans exactly what they wanted to see—flat-out jumping action.

“I am stoked we set the jump record for this rally and actually received an award for doing so, it proves that even on one of my worst days in a rally car, I can still out-hoon all of the top drivers,” said Block. “I would imagine that would have made Colin proud.”

See photos of Block and Gelsomino getting some air: http://www.monsterworldrallyteam.com/blogs/rally-sweden-despite-pace-block-out-hoons-all-and-wins-colins-crest-award

Tanner Foust bids farewell to Drifting as he moves to a full schedule on both the U.S. and European RallyCross Championships.

Two-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust is stepping away from Formula DRIFT series competition for the 2011 season to focus on increased television commitments and a packed rallycross competition schedule.

"The past seven years of drifting with Formula D were incredible and I owe a lot to the sport that helped launch my professional career," said Foust. "I still believe it is one of the best places for grassroots racers to find their professional legs and learn to make a living behind the wheel."

Foust, the only driver to score back-to-back championship titles in the series, plans to remain involved in the sport. He will travel to Abu Dhabi with the Rockstar Energy Scion tC at the end of the month to participate in the Formula DRIFT invitational event at the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit, and will break out the same machine for the SPEED Dream Ride event in April to drift the entire Infineon Raceway track with passengers.

Tanner will be missed by the series and the fans as he has become one of the most recognizable drivers on the circuit and is one of the most outspoken supporters of Formula DRIFT, said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. His semi-retirement from drifting will open the door for other drivers in the series to make their own mark. We wish Tanner more success in his career both on and off the track.

After five years of full-time competition with Papadakis Racing, the team racked up numerous accomplishments in the sport of drifting.

They finished third in their first season together in a Nissan 350z, and then won back-to-back championships in 2007 and 2008. They debuted their Scion tC with a sixth-place series finish and then closed out the car s competition life in second overall in the 2010 championship.

"Thank you Scion, Rockstar, Hankook Tires, Motegi, AEM, and the amazing crew at Papadakis Racing for the drive and support," said Foust. "I look forward to watching Stephan and his new driver enjoy continued success."

For 2011, the driver is preparing to run the entire 10-event European Rallycross Championship season, as well as contesting the domestic rallycross series. His first US competition will be the Global Rallycross season opener on March 26, at Irwindale Speedway, in the Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta. His European season begins a month later in England. He is also planning to return to X Games to defend his dual gold medals.

"I'm going to miss being at each event in the series and hanging out with some of the greatest fans there are in motorsport," said Foust. "I've had a blast meeting, talking to and Facebooking so many drift fans. I'll still be lucky enough to stay busy in the world of racing so I hope to catch up with some of the Formula D regulars at various events throughout the year."

Photo ©Neil McDaid

Hyundai Returns to Rally

Febuary 9th 2011: Chicago Auto Show, Rhys Millen Racing and Hyundai USA unveil their latest creation. A purpose built Rally version of the Hyundai Veloster Coupe. The car has been developed to compete in the newly formed U.S. RallyCar/ RallyCross series in 2011, including an entry at 2011 Summer XGAMES.

It’s no real surprise to see Hyundai and Millen moving away from the dated WRC Accent that Rhys drove in the final three rounds of the 2010 U.S. RallyCross Championship. For Hyundai and Millen to be successful they need to be racing a current product that consumers can associate with on the showroom floor.

The power for the Veloster will come from a turbocharged 500-horsepower version of Hyundai’s 2-liter 4-cylinder, mated to an X-trac 6-speed sequential transmission and of course all four wheels will be grabbing the tar and gravel. What’s even more interesting is that several 2WD versions of the Veloster will be built in Rally form. It’s not out of the question that anyone of these cars could very well be a stepping off point for Hyundai to make a return to U.S.or World Rally stages.

"Ask Ken Block", Block answers Questions on WRC, Gymkhana and More