Rough start for Block

Ken Block might be firmly in contention for a points finish on round three of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia, but the American has reported a tough start to Rally Guanajuato Mexico.

Block was two minutes late leaving service in Leon this morning while his mechanics rushed to repair the damage sustained when he brushed a kerb during the Guanajuato street test on Thursday night.

He also reported a problem engaging neutral at the stage finish. “It’s been a rough morning already,” said the Gymkhana legend who is 11th overall heading to stage three.

Meanwhile, Block’s team-mate Chris Atkinson said it had taken him a while to get into a rhythm on his first start in the WRC for more than three years. The Australian was nevertheless a strong eighth fastest in his Fiesta RS WRC.

Elsewhere, WRC Team MINI Portugal’s Armindo Araujo, who is running first on the road, continues to be hampered by the electronic mapping problem that struck during Thursday’s free practice. Araujo reported making no mistakes in the stage and added that he hoped his car would be restored to full working order during the course of the event.