Ken Block enjoyed his best result to date in Mexico on what looks set to be his only outing in the
World Rally Championship this season.
The American, who is set to focus on the X Games and Global Rallycross Championship in 2013, returned to the WRC for the first time in eight months at the wheel of his Ford Fiesta RS WRC – now being run under the 'Hoonigan Racing Division' banner.
With Mexico being his only WRC outing this year, Block went into the event eager to have fun but started well when he posted a top ten time in qualifying ahead of the start.
A consistent run through the three days of competition saw Block run as high as sixth place before he was knocked back a spot by
Chris Atkinson on the final day, although seventh still marked his best finish yet in the WRC.
“I'm stoked with how this event turned out for me,” he said. “I was a bit nervous coming into it since I hadn't been in the WRC car since Finland last year. There were some new, tighter and more technical stages added this year and while my normal driving style suits fast, flowing roads a bit better, I really enjoyed the new stages. Plus, as always, the fans down here in Mexico are absolutely some of the best out there. They're so passionate and enthusiastic, it really helps make this an amazing event.”
Team manager Derek Dauncey said he was impressed by the way in which Block had performed on the tricky Mexican stages.
“I'm massively impressed with Ken's performance this weekend,” he said. “The pace he kept in regards to the top drivers in this event surprised everyone, even myself. He was very quick on every stage, which is fantastic given that he was taking a more conservative approach. I'm very pleased that he's walked away with his best-ever finish of seventh overall.”