Driver Ken Block has officially made the switch to Pirelli tires. As a member of the Monster World Rally Team, Block will be running Pirelli-fitted Fords (the new Rally version of the Fiesta and Rally edition of the Focus RS) in the Rally America Championship (RAC), X Games and the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the 2010 season.
Block’s move to Pirelli comes with his switch to an all-Ford stable of cars. Both his new Ford Fiesta – built for the 2010 season’s RAC and X Games events – and his Ford Focus, prepared for Block’s WRC efforts this season, are outfitted with Pirelli tires.
“Rally is all about exploiting traction, making tire choice crucial,” says Block. “And I am confident that the move to Pirelli is going to be a winning formula for us. Plus, I’ve always been a fan of Pirelli, not just the tires, but the brand. Everything from the iconic logo to the famous Pirelli Calendar really fits with the Monster World Rally Team look and feel.”
“We are very excited to be a part of the Ken Block experience,” says Rafael Navarro III, Pirelli’s director of motorsports and media relations. “Block and the Monster World Rally Team will synergize well with the Pirelli brand. Combining Block’s talent with Pirelli’s heritage in motorsport, car and motorcycle tires is a win, win, win for everyone involved. We have seen what Ken can do with a car, and now we’ll be able to experience what he can do with Pirelli.”
Schedules include:
Rally America Championship
• 100 Acre Wood – Feb. 26-27
• Olympus – April 24-25
• Oregon Trail – May 14-16
• STPR – June 4-5
• New England Forest – July 16-17
World Rally Championship (WRC)
• Corona Rally Mexico – March 5-7
• Rally of Turkey – April 16-18
• Vodaphone Rally de Portugal – May 28-30
• ADAC Rallye Duetschland – Aug. 20-22
• Rallye de France – Sept. 30 – Oct. 3
• RACC Rallye de Espana – Oct. 22-24
• Wales Rally of Great Britain – Nov. 11-14
X Games 16
• Los Angeles – July 29-Aug. 1
For more information, visit www.us.pirelli.com.
