By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

We found this thread on VW Vortex. Maybe Ken Block has not sufficiently wowed his new Ford partners enough as of yet. Perhaps the economic downturn has slowed the sale of DC Shoes and flat-brimmed hats. Maybe his upcoming gymkhana event series couldn’t find funding (uh, what we mean is, what gymkhana event series?).

Maybe this Craig’s List post is a joke. Maybe it was all just a dream. And maybe, just maybe, this seller is serious. Maybe he – yes, he, because there is no way a woman would do this to her car – is on drugs. Perhaps he’s on some medical grade nitrous, or meth, or maybe even something that we don’t know about. Maybe something that would require an ice cube up the butt. But then, Coyle is only one who would know anything about that.

All we have to say is that to be truly ironic this seller should have applied KB’s Subaru livery to a Ford Escort wagon. Get it? On second thought, it doesn’t get much more hi-lar-ious than the green underglow and hidden trailer hitch. That is, unless you were to release a remix of the original Gymkhana video, with machine guns and Sid and Marty Kroft explosive effects. Yes, that would rock us like a hurricane.

Continue reading "Ken Block Falls on Hard Times. Forced to Sell Infamous Gymkhana STI" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

When I make a minor mistake at work, it generally involves losing a power cord, putting a spelling error on the hompage or missing a StreetFire clip that shows boobs. But when Ken Block makes a little mistake, it results in a rally car on its side. Yup, being a race driver is pretty awesome. Fortunately, he’s fine and seemed pretty relaxed about his recent wreck during the WRC in Mexico.

Ken Block crashes in Mexico 2010

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

Shaun White has nothing on Tanner Foust. After all, he only competes in TWO disciplines, snowboarding and skateboarding. Meanwhile Foxy Tan Tan (as we like to call him) is a regular threat for a podium in drifting, rally (including the X Games), the International Race of Champions and time attack just to name a few motorsports. Let’s not forget he’s the host of Supercars Exposed and he was this close to being the Stig’s more talented American Cousin. Not to mention he’s a big time Hollywood stunt driver lending shock and awe to supplement the absurd in movies like the Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.

This season Tanner will add the position of rallycross driver to his already impressive resume. Tanner will compete in select rounds of the European Rallycross Championship this year in addition to the Formula Drift series, the X Games and select Rally America events. Rallycross is like a hyper frenetic, condensed version of a rally stage (like a super special) and the ‘cross cars are even more potent than their rally cousins. Hit the jump to see some videos from the 2009 X Games of Tanner with the Olsbergs MSE rallycross Fiestas. There’s also the obligatory – and usually bland and uninformative – press release as well. However, in this release Tanner is quoted saying that rallycross will come to the US later this year. Well, wouldn’t that just be all sorts of awesome. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.

Continue reading "Tanner Foust to Compete in Rallycross, World Domination to Soon Follow" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

It was big news when Ken Block decided to switch from Subaru to Ford, and lots of people—even Hitler—had strong feelings about the move. Personally,  I love the 2010 Fiesta, and think the Blue Oval’s little hot hatch looks pretty sharp wearing the Monster livery. For the record, I also think “Vibrant Thing” is proof positive that Q-Tip should have never quit Tribe, but that’s a whole different thing. Anyway, we’ll have to wait until March to see this baby race in WRC,  but it’ll make its competitive debut this Friday at the start of the 2010 Rally America Championship. Two more photos after the jump.

Continue reading "Ken Block’s New Monster Energy Fiesta" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

David Schmader, who writes a column for Seattle’s local alt-weekly, The Stranger, has probably made me laugh harder than any other writer, and he’s often said that “one of the funniest things a human being can do is fall down.” Now, I don’t really agree with that statement—I think one of the funniest things a human being can do is write like David Schmader—but that doesn’t mean Michelle Heaton’s faceplant yesterday wasn’t hilarious. The British pop singer was helping contestant Steve Rayner unveil Ford’s new Fiesta on the Irish version of The Apprentice when her heel got caught on the cover, and she hit the deck. She was totally fine, but it does make Rayner’s prior characterization of her as “slick, stylish and attractive” sound somewhat ironic. Head over to Sky News, for all the details on the show, or if you’re an American and don’t care, just watch the video below.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

While I might be using the term sport compact a little loosely here, I thought all these cars were wicked, so I was able justify shoehorning them into this category. Sue me. Anyway, I’m a sucker for an old-school VW, so I loved Paul Newman’s 351-powered Beetle, and I was really impressed with Rhys Millen Racing’s mid-engine Genesis Coupe, the Fiesta—stock, but awesome—in the Ford booth, the ferocious Fiat 500 and the Scion xB that won the Tuner Challenge. Vote for your favorite below!

[slideshow id=864691128478392475&w=426&h=320]

[polldaddy poll="2274009"]

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

Went to Southern California’s El Toro military base today to check out the three-car Fiesta effort that Ford is hucking into this year’s X Games Rally. Normally this event is a Subaru-only affair with a light dusting of Mitsu Evo for good measure. Ford hopes to change things up at this annual super special that historically features an all-STI podium. Ford’s blend of Fiesta Rallycross cars and drivers could do the trick. Hit the jump to see a video of Tanner Foust’s car in action as well as some pics of the other drivers going for X glory.

Continue reading "Ford Fie-Xsta" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Neither of the two Fiestas entered actually made it to the top of Pikes Peak over the weekend, but this one sure looked cool tearing up the parking lot at a press event. There weren’t any bog surprises at this year’s race, but given how treacherous the course is, that’s almost a good thing. For a good recap of all the action at the Hill Climb check out today’s episode of Fast Lane Daily.