One-Two Punch

Ken Block andÂ Andreas Bakkerud take the fight to the world in the hot hatch

By Steve Turner

Pop. Bang. Pop. Bang. The turbocharged 2.0-liter dances off the two-step rev limiter. As the start light goes green the car launches. Its all-wheel-drive system and Cooper tires claw for traction trying to plant the 600-plus horsepower to the tarmac. It accelerates from 0-60 in around 2 seconds as the car hurtles toward the first turn leading up toÂ its first jump into the dirt.

The launch is crucial in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, as it can give the first-place driver enough of a lead to take The Joker and maintain the lead. â€œLaunch is really the one time we get the most grip because itâ€™s straight forward,â€ Ken Block said. â€œOnce we get it get it turnedâ€”even the fast turn, which is fourth gearâ€”I can still completely overwhelm the tires and thatâ€™s not the fastest way.â€

â€œThe launch is practically everything. If you can get out ahead, itâ€™s hard for people to get around, so the launch is one of the biggest parts of the entire racing element,â€ Ken Block enthused. â€œHonestly, every time I launch and go through the gears there is a big smile on my face, because it is so much fun. The zero to 60 is roughly 2 seconds depending on grip level, so it really makes this sort of racing fun.â€

Thatâ€™s right. This is no drag car. It is the all-new Ford Performance Focus RS RX. It competes in the FIA World Rallycross Championship under the Hoonigan Racing Division banner with support from UK speed merchants M-Sport. Behind the wheel are the Gymkhana superstar and his first-year teammate Andreas Bakkerud…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-89lHVO1A4

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