Block a non-starter in Portugal

Ken Block will be unable to start Vodafone Rally de Portugal, which gets underway in Lisbon later today, following the accident he suffered during shakedown for the world championship qualifier.

Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino crashed heavily on the 5.03-kilometre stage at Vale de Judeau yesterday evening (Wednesday). Although they were both uninjured their Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC was too badly damaged to allow them to continue.

A spokesperson for the American team said: “Ken and Alex are 100 per cent fine. They went to hospital but it was a precaution because it’s better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately when the car came back to service the scrutineer declared that it was too badly damaged and was a no-go.

“Ken is obviously disappointed and bummed out that he’s been unable to start the rally. It was his first big crash in a World Rally Car and Ken is obviously relieved that he and Alex are both okay. They’re heading back home now to prepare for their next stop on their world tour, Argentina WRC.”