WEST SUSSEX, England - One of the world’s most spectacular stunt drivers, Ken Block, will debut the new Ford Focus RS in the UK at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed from June 25-28.
For 2015, Goodwood's theme is ‘Flat-Out and Fearless: Racing on the Edge’ and few drivers hold this philosophy as close to their hearts as Block, whose amazing Gymkhana videos have won global acclaim and achieved over 300 million views on YouTube.
Block will drive the new Focus RS, which has been developed by Ford Performance and is the 30th Ford to carry the RS badge, up the iconic 1.16-mile Goodwood Hillclimb throughout the weekend.
'HOONICORN' MUSTANG
Block will also drive his incredible ‘Hoonicorn’, a 1965 Ford Mustang ‘notchback’ that has been customised with four-wheel-drive, an 630kW Ford V8 engine and bespoke suspension. His Mustang's tyres and bodywork were inspired by rally and racing cars as well as toys he owned as a child.
IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 Ford Focus RS
VIDEO: Ken Block’s ‘Hoonigan’ antics in LA
The Hoonicorn was used in Block’s most recent viral video, Gymkhana 7, which has gained more than 24 million views on YouTube since its release in November 2014.
FOCUS RS FOR SA
The new Focus RS is due in South Africa in the first half of 2016.
The Focus RS - equipped with a special 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine engineered to produce well in excess of 240kW - forms part of a new era for the automaker which hopes to launch more than dozen new vehicles to global customers by 2020.
HEADED FOR SA
Block will be coming to SA in June. The Youtube sensation will join ex-Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
Read Wheels24's Q&A session with Ken Block
The former Top Gear presenters released promotional videos ahead of their motoring tour in Johannesburg in June 2015.
The infamous trio #BehindTheScenes #JeremyClarkson #JamesMay #RichardHammond
http://t.co/riSfwHoVKG #BackOnTheRoad pic.twitter.com/G8gRCVoGCR
— ClarkHamMay Live SA (@ClarkHamMaySA) May 12, 2015
One clip has the motoring trio joking about what to call the show with May suggesting it be called "James May and special guests".
IMAGE GALLERY: Clarkson, Hammond and May prep for SA show
VIDEO: Clarkson drops May's piano onto car
VIDEO: Clarkson, May & Hammond's message to SA fans
VIDEO: Clarkson, Hammond & May live: Loading the truck