Ken Block Signs With Monster Energy
WMG Announces Major Sponsorship of Ken Block’s Subaru Rally Team by Monster Energy Drink
St. Louis, Missouri – February 26, 2007 – It was quite a weekend for Ken Block who announced a new sponsorship and then went out and won his first race of the 2007 Rally America Season for his new sponsor by dominating the 100 Acre Wood Rally!
The timing of the win couldn’t have been any better as Block had just announced an expanded racing program for 2007 via an increased sponsorship from title sponsor Monster Energy Drink. Monster Energy Drink’s sponsorship will allow Ken to contest five International events in addition to competing in the full 2007 Rally America National Championship. Block's confirmed International rounds include Word Rally Championship events in Mexico and New Zealand plus three rounds in the New Zealand Rally Championship. “I’m really pleased at how willing Monster Energy Drink was to get involved in the sport of rally and at their level of commitment” said WMG’s President of Action Sports Steve Astephen, adding; “With Ken’s back ground in building and managing a global brand I’m confident that Monster will get a great ROI and that this will be the beginning of a great partnership.”
Monster Energy Drink’s decision to sponsor the team quickly paid dividends as Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino dominated this weekend’s 100 Acre Wood Rally from the first stage, building an insurmountable lead while the rest of the field fought for 2nd Overall. Block's Subaru Rally Team USA teammate, defending Rally America National Champion Travis Pastrana, won that hard fought battle for 2nd overall after moving up the standings during the second half of the rally.
Block's speed was unmatched all weekend and his lead was never threatened as he won seven of the event's fifteen stages. "I really like these roads, we pushed hard without taking too many chances and I was surprised by how much faster we were than everyone else. We were able to really back off at the end of the rally and let the other guys fight for the final podium spots." explains Block. "This win means a lot to me because the first win of my rally career was here last year, so it feels good to come back and taste victory again!"
Fellow Red Bull Subaru Rally Team Driver and WMG Athlete Travis Pastrana, who finished second to Ken, was taken surprise by just how fast Ken was. “I was way too conservative on Friday and Ken just flat out spanked us!” said a disappointed Pastrana adding; “Ken drove real well and proved just how talented he is; I’m really looking forward to battling him all season long!”
Subaru Rally Team USA now heads straight to the Corona Rally Mexico, round four of the 2007 World Rally Championship where both Pastrana and Block will compete against the World's top rally drivers. Pastrana will be officially entered in the Production Car World Rally Championship (P-WRC), and will also compete in P-WRC events in Argentina and Great Britain later this year.
Subaru Rally Team USA is proudly supported by DC Shoes, BFGoodrich Tires, STI (Subaru Tecnica International), SPT (Subaru Performance Tuning), Alpinestars, Motul, PIAA, Recaro, Exedy and Vermont SportsCar.
