Following an 8-month hiatus from competing in any WRC rounds, Hoonigan Racing Division’s Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino kicked things off in Mexico this week at the third round of the 2013 WRC calendar, Rally Mexico (the last time they competed in a WRC round was 2012’s Rally Finland).
After getting back into a WRC car for the first time since late last summer, Block hit the practice/qualifying stage on Thursday morning with the goal of just running conservatively and getting reacquainted with the car. Even with this cautious approach, the HRD duo qualified in the top ten and ended up drawing 4th on road for the opening two stages on Thursday night.
“I’m pretty happy with having qualified in the top ten today,” said Block. “I haven’t been in a WRC car since Finland last year and I didn’t have any practice or testing prior to this event. So to end up with that result leaves me pretty happy. Plus, this is one of my favorite WRC rounds because of the great roads and insanely enthusiastic fans. The opening ceremony tonight was the most packed I’ve ever seen it, it was absolutely awesome.”
After a conservative drive on SS1 and SS2 on Thursday night, Block and Gelsomino enter the first full day of stages on Friday sitting in 12th overall. To see how they do, be sure to follow along here, on Facebook and on Twitter.
Saturday 03/09/2013
BLOCK AND GELSOMINO CLIMB THE LEADERBBOARD ON DAY 1 OF WRC MEXICO
Having qualified in the top-10 for their first WRC appearance of 2013, the Hoonigan Racing Division duo of Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino hit the stages of WRC Mexico with the plan of running smart and conservative, since it was their first time in a WRC Ford Fiesta since August of 2012.
However, early on, it was clear that Block was feeling very comfortable behind the wheel. He charged out on the first stage of the day and immediately started putting down top-10 stage times, quickly moving up the ranks from his 10th overall qualifying position to 7th overall by the end of Friday’s stages.
“I felt good out there today,” said Block. “They’ve changed up some of the stages this year to make them a bit more tight and technical instead of fast and sweeping, and while the fast sweepers suit my driving style better, I felt confident today. The car ran great and we put down some solid stage times. I’m going to try and keep putting down similar times on Saturday.”
Hoonigan Racing Division’s team manager, Derek Dauncey, also felt that Block ran well on Friday. “I think that today was one of the best days in Ken’s WRC career thus far,” said Dauncey. “For not having been behind the wheel of a WRC car since last summer, he put on a brilliant performance. To be in 7th overall going into Saturday is quite impressive. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do tomorrow.”
To see if Block and Gelsomino can continue to move up the leaderboard, be sure to follow along here, on Facebook and on Twitter.
