Ken Block and Ford part ways

MrChaos said:

STM317 said:

I figured something might be up when Subaru was back in the latest Gymkhana

I mean travis is taking over the gymkhana vids and he is a sponsored subaru driver.

Right, but that probably doesn't happen with Ford's blessing. If Ford/Hoonigan were still tied up, I don't think Travis gets behind the wheel. It'd probably be Vaughn Gitten or somebody doing Gymkhana in that scenario.

Hasn't Ford has been dropping participation in racing along with its cars the last few years? The GT / LeMons program. Rally X. I think there was even talk of them getting out of Australian Super Car. However much they've dropped is irrelevant when I bet marketing says why should we sponsor racing cars when we don't build any anymore?

As for new partnership I agree Hyundai seems to be a very likely. Unlike other automakers, they have been pushing with the N division. They are racing, they have already done some partnership with Hoonigan, they are advertising and partnering with other Youtubers as well, and it seems they have built and are interested in continuing to build a fun/cool car. 

Zero surprise.  Look at the leadership at Ford since Raj Nair left (fired, still don't know the real story). Raj was a massive proponent of performance and racing.  He was the reason we go the GT and all the fun ST/RS products over here for a decade.  The longer since his leaving, the further Ford are straying from using an enthusiasts definition of performance to drive sales.  

Part of me wants Hyundai/Kia to sign him. Part of me doesn't. I mean, he'll bring market recognition etc to the two brands that I personally feel they deserve. But with that means the cheap cars of old will no longer be cheap.

pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) said:

GRM has picked him up, the next Hoonicorn will feature megasquirt and a $2021 build cost. Probably a Miata.

Now, THAT is funny

pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) said:

GRM has picked him up, the next Hoonicorn will feature megasquirt and a $2021 build cost. Probably a Miata.

Partnership with the Nelson clan to get the power down under budget, it could work out

RevRico said:

pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) said:

GRM has picked him up, the next Hoonicorn will feature megasquirt and a $2021 build cost. Probably a Miata.

Partnership with the Nelson clan to get the power down under budget, it could work out

I mean, copy that Mustang on a Panther chassis build, drop in an LS or Atlas & add boooost!!!

I wonder, how does a full year with Ford compare to several deals with several different manufactures? Yeah, by now Block is his own brand by far.