Block ready for Portugal

Ken Block is ready to resume his bid for World Rally Championship success on Vodafone Rally de Portugal this week following a test in the country yesterday (Monday).

Block is embarking on an expanded global campaign in 2011 at the wheel of a Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC. He arrives in the Algarve for round three of the series on the back of a frustrating outing on Rally Guanajuato Mexico earlier this month, which was plagued by persistent electrical troubles.

Speaking following Monday’s test, Monster team manger Derek Dauncey said: “It was a good test with no problems. Ken managed about 100 kilometres and was able to work on a set-up for the rally while also getting more time in the car. The venue used was similar to the one he drove on during his test in Portugal before Mexico so that was obviously helpful.”

Block’s test was held in dry and sunny conditions. M-Sport, the organisation responsible for running the American’s Fiesta, selected two different test roads to ensure an accurate representation of the stage conditions that Block and his rivals will encounter on this week’s rally. One enabled high-speed running, while the other incorporated more twisty sections.

Asked whether he was confident that the electrical problems that struck Block in Mexico had been resolved, Dauncey said: “M-Sport and its partners have done a lot of work on the cars since Mexico and every [electrical] part will be fresh on Ken’s car for the rally. We’re confident there won’t be any problems.”

Block made his Vodafone Rally de Portugal debut last season at the wheel of a Ford Focus RS WRC but failed to finish after damaging his car’s roll cage during a crash on the opening day of the event, which prevented him from restarting on day two.

While Block has yet to bag a drivers’ championship point so far this season, his Monster World Rally Team currently occupies eighth position in the manufacturers’ championship standings with six points.