"SUBARU has a very strong product image. It's known for its safety, and they put a lot of emphasis on the AWD system, which they've developed over very many years. They're a highly targeted small car company that builds very strong cars whose performance greatly outweighs others in their segment. People love the Impreza because it's a great car with a lot of performance for a good price."

Block's message to young people thinking about getting into rallying is also to the point: "Do things because you love them. For me, rally is really the best way to enjoy automobiles."

The main driver for the explosive growth in popularity of rallying in the U.S. is the X-Games, that extreme sports extravaganza every self-respecting pair of youth market eyes is watching.

"Rally's an amazing form of motorsport, and it's visually very exciting. I think it has a lot more appeal to younger kids than say, other forms of motorsport such as drag racing or NASCAR. That's why I love it so much, and why it's attracting new, younger fans and why X Games decided to include it in their event - they saw that appeal."

Ken and co-driver Alex Gelsomino's plans for 2009 are to continue in the RANC, and also to contest the X Games, where they have taken Bronze (2006) and Sliver medals (2007). Beyond that, Ken is looking for some events on which he can practise two-pass recceing. "In the long run, I want to do more international events and I need the two-pass recce experience to do those. Eventually, I'd like to try and get some sponsorship to drive a World Rally car."

It has to be said that his thirst for ambition will never be quenched.

On the next page, Block introduces his extraordinary driving techniques, which he wants you to check out.
Getting the low-down from high-flying superstar Ken Block
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years - or you just don't know what cars are - you'll have heard of the exploits of one very well known American, the boundary-breaker, Mr. Ken Block.
As well as achieving success in the business world with DC Shoes - of which he is co-founder, Ken is an athlete at the sharp end of the rapidly growing global extreme sports sphere.



Block does a lot of things - all of them intense in some way. Despite being a full-time professional rally driver for only a few years, he has shown the maturity and control of a driver with many seasons' more experience. 		It is especially evident on the brutally challenging stages found all through the RANC (Rally America National Championship) season, the series on which he primarily competes. Here Ken is Master of his Domain. It's the classic story of the hero who defies the odds, breaking the established barriers as if they were mere annoyances.

The machine in which Ken demonstrates his unique skills needs no introduction - it's the SUBARU Impreza WRX.

Block led the Driver's standings throughout the first half of the 2008 RANC season after back-to-back victories on the 100-Acre Wood and Olympus rallies. A string of DNFs mid-season was a tough break, but he wrapped up the year in fine style with victory on the Lake Superior Rally - considered by many the toughest event on the RANC calendar.

In addition to his many sporting exploits, Ken is no stranger to the world of business, having successfully built up the DC Shoes brand. His views on SUBARU and its product image are succinct: