For those of you waiting anxiously for Ken Block’s new free-wheeling joy ride, the Gymkhana III, to be officially introduced, your wait is finally over. The custom-made Ford Fiesta – one where he even took opinions from fans on how to build the car - is set to be unveiled today, August 24.
It goes without saying that Block’s Gymkhana cars have drawn worldwide acclaim for their daredevil stunts and crowd-pleasing antics. Its two predecessors, the Gymkhana and the Gymkhana II, became Internet sensations for the way Block performed a variety of driving styles that incorporated elements of drifting and rally racing all while being produced in such a way that incorporates a unique visual artistry that has catapulted Block to mainstream popularity.
So, to those that have clamored for the release of the Gymkhana III – and to the fans that helped ‘contribute’ to its creation – you can start your countdown now. Part 1 of the Gymkhana III will be released today. Let the awesomeness begin.
The Rally Deutschland kicked off today and the Monster World Rally Team got right to work as Ken Block and his co-driver, Alex Gelsomino, started testing the Ford Focus WRC outside of Brauneberg, Germany, a town 45 minutes east of the Rally Deutschland start. This race marks the first time Block will race on tarmac in the World Rally championship.
During all of this testing, the Monster World Rally Team had enough time to stop and interview Ken Block. Here’s what the racer rally had to say...
"With zero tarmac rounds in the Rally America series, Alex and I are at a huge disadvantage here in Germany," says Block. "We have only raced two tarmac events before, and while we did win both of those events, I have no expectations of keeping up with the veteran drivers here."
"Sitting in the car with Jari-Matti made me well aware of how much I still have to learn about tarmac driving." says Block. "It’s going to be a challenge, but a good one. This test was one of the best days I have ever had in rally car. I am really looking forward to improving my skills on sealed surfaces as I put down more and more stage miles on tarmac not just here in Germany, but over our next two rallies as well."
Check out what else Block had to say by checking out the video!
The Dirt Franchise is back with its latest installment: Dirt 3. And its not just back, its back with fiery explosions, a weather simulator, and Ken Block’s "Monster" Ford Fiesta. True rally enthusiasts may not fancy Dirt 3, or even the whole franchise, but there is no denying, Dirt 3 looks good.
No details have been released on the new game, except that it is expected to hit the shelves sometime in 2011 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 as confirmed by its creator, CodeMasters. As you can see in the trailer, the graphics will be just as astonishing as the highly successful Dirt 2. It also appears that we will get new stages of H20, rain, and snow, as well as over 50 rally cars and "double the track content" as the previous installment. All of which will add an exciting twist to your rally experience.
Dirt 3 may not be a true to heart rally game as much as being an Americanized translation of the sport, but it’s still an exciting interpretation of it. Let’s just hope it’s not all show and no go.
UPDATE 08/18/2010: Check out the new screenshots for Dirt 3!
We were introduced to the Citroen DS3 R3 about a month and a half ago and we are finally going to be able to see it in action. The car will make its debut at Ulster Rally in the early afternoon of Friday, August 20, 2010.
This will be the first time that the DS3 goes head to head with its rivals, before being offered for sale to customers. Using its four-cylinder 1.6-liter THP (high pressure turbo) engine, the R3 version of the DS3 hatchback will be able to put some competitive miles out at the Ulster Rally. Of course, the engine had to be outfitted with racing parts such as air box, camshaft, pistons, connecting rods, exhaust and turbo systems, electronic unit, etc., in order to be up for the task. These parts allow the hatchback to deliver 210hp of racing power.
"The Ulster Rally is a very tricky event where competitors have to deal with narrow roads that offer little grip. The variable weather conditions in Ireland are capable of springing both nice and nasty surprises so these are sure to be a determining factor in the outcome of the rally. The ideal result for us in Antrim would be to win Group R and finish in the top five overall. From a sporting point of view, Ireland and Great Britain are very important customer competition markets for our company."
Check back with us on August 20th to see more details on the maiden racing voyage of the Citroen DS3 R3!
Reports are coming out that the reinvigorated Swedish brand, Saab, is also set to make its return to the most prestigious rally racing series in the world, which, if everything pushes through, could happen in the 2012 season.
Saab has been absent from the rally scene since 1979 and the brand’s return to the WRC could be in-line to the recent revival the automaker is enjoying under its new ownership.
Details are still sketchy at best, but there appears to be mutual interest from both Spyker - that’s Saab’s new owner, if you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months – and officials from the WRC for Saab to make its rally comeback. Given the brand’s rich history in rally racing, we’re going to be surprised if their return to the WRC doesn’t happen.
In the event that Saab does come back to rallying, it is expected that the brand will be fielding a modified 1.6-liter turbocharged Saab 9-2, which, interestingly, will also be the same platform that the MINI Countryman will be using when it makes its own return to the world of rally racing.
We’ve heard this one before; Lancia may or may not be working on a new version of their legendary Stratos model. If these photos taken at the Fiat Group test track at Balocco near Milan are indicative of the Stratos’ future then, this time, the rumors may be true.
The Lancia Stratos was a sports/rally car designed from the mind of Marcello Gandini, then head designer of Bertone, and was based off the Stratos Zero concept presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1970. It was short, wide, and had a wedge shape that provided maximum traction. The Stratos was home to three different engines during the first part of its life: The Lancia Fulvia engine, the Lancia Beta engine, and the mid-mounted 190bhp Dino Ferrari V6 engine, with the V6 being the favorite.
The Stratos was produced from 1972-1974 and ended up winning the 1974, 1975, and 1976 WRC titles as well as gaining victories in the 1975, 1976, and 1977 Monte Carlo Rally. With 492 units sold during its time, the Lancia Stratos is a very rare and beautiful automobile.
So, is it making a comeback? Unfortunately, we think the answer to that question is no. Apparently, the spy shots taken of this new Stratos is a project that is being privately funded by a European industrialist. We are hoping that the distinct Stratos characteristics, such as the wheel arches cutting into the bonnet, the curved windshield and wraparound side glass, the engine cover, and the flip-up rear spoiler, will mean that this prototype will give way to a new Lancia Stratos for us all. Especially since the vehicle is also being tested at Balocco. Here’s to hoping!
Citroen Racing has used their FIA expertise, as well as the new Group R3T regulations drawn up by the FIA, to create the Citroen DS3 R3. The DS3 R3 will feature a steel body shell reinforced with a welded multipoint roll cage created with the use of 45 meters of steel piping. The weight has been reduced by taking out the supports used in the production model with the battery and the automatic fire extinguisher being moved behind the seats to distribute weight more efficiently.
The DS3 R3 is powered by a four-cylinder 1.6-liter THP (high pressure turbo) engine improved with racing parts (air box, camshaft, pistons, connecting rods, exhaust and turbo systems, electronic unit, etc.). It is mated to a six speed gearbox featuring a semiautomatic sequential control. It also carries with it a specially tuned chassis and suspension. The result is an output of 210bhp and 350 NM of torque.
The Citroen DS3 R3 will be sold as a kit and in ready-to-race versions.
UPDATE 08/17/2010: The Citroen DS3 R3 will make its debut at Ulster Rally in the early afternoon of Friday, August 20th. This will be the first time that the DS3 goes head to head with its rivals, before being offered for sale to customers. Make sure to check back with us on August 20th to see the latest details on the DS3 R3!
Looks like Porsche won’t be the only automaker bringing in some historical racers to the Goodwood Festival of Speed next week. Turns out, Toyota is joining in on the fun too.
To celebrate the Japanese automaker’s successful forays into the world of the WRC in the 80’s and 90’s, Toyota is bringing at least three of their rally-winning race cars, including the Group B Celica Twin Cam TA64, the very same car that scooped up a number of rally wins back in its heyday and was even nicknamed the "King of Africa" for its dominating performance at the Safari and Ivory Coast rallies. Joining the the Group B Celica is another one of its brethren, the Group A Celica ST185, the three-time championship car that staked titles for Toyota from 1992-1994, and Toyota’s more recent rally machine, the Corolla WRC, which scooped up 25 podium finishes from 1997 to 1999.
These cars, of course, only constitute a small chunk of machines Toyota’s gearing up to bring to Goodwood. In addition to the rally racers, the brand is also showing off a couple of its more recent releases, including a Dakar-participating Land Cruiser, a special edition supercharged iQ, a 900bhp Supra GT, and last, but certainly and most definitely not least, the brand’s new ultimate pride and joy, the Lexus LF-A.
You want to be more than just a fanster driving up hits on Ken Block’s YouTube page? Here’ your chance to help out the man himself as he begins preparation for the third version of his ever popular Gymkhana 3.
In this video, Block is looking for ideas from all of his fans on what they’d like to see him do on his new Gymkhana 3. Just tell him where he should shoot and what trick he should do. That’s it. Those whose ideas are chosen will receive a plethora of attractive prizes including hats, posters, and, of course, DC Shoes. That’s not the end of it, though. One lucky fan, who we presume will have the best idea on what Block and the Gymkhana 3 should do, will get a chance to visit the shoot for a day and an opportunity to ride shotgun on-board the Gymkhana 3 with Ken Block in the driver seat.
Not a bad prize for throwing some ideas around, huh?
While other eight-year-olds are getting GI Joes, game consoles, and bicycles as presents, Kalle Rovanpera is getting a vehicle equipped to tackle the most uneven terrain imaginable. What the heck is an eight year old going to do with such a vehicle? Drive the shit out of it.
Kalle Rovanpera is shown in this video strategically slipping and sliding through snow, gravel, sand, and tarmac at crazy speeds for an eight-year-old. What kind of crazy dad allows his son to practice for the WRC at the age of eight? Only rally racer, Harri Rovanpera, of course. Harri was an active rally racer from 1993-2006 and completed 111 rallies throughout his career. Since then, it seems he has occupied his time teaching all that he knows to his beloved son. In Finland, it is a tradition to start rally racers off at a young age, but seeing this little daredevil hit turns and maneuver so gracefully is simply astounding. It brings back the age old racing paradigm of, "Want to win? Find a fin."
Watch the video to see some awesome driving (better than most average adults) done by a child who can’t even go see a PG-13 movie for another 5 years.
