The Gymkhana FOUR star returned to the world championship for the first time since Rally Argentina in May, but, courtesy of his Vodafone Rally de Portugal shakedown shunt, the Trier-based event was only Block’s fourth start in one of the current World Rally Cars.
And, after dropping out ninth place in Germany last year with alternator failure on the final day of the asphalt rally, Block’s focus was firmly on reaching the finish in Trier.
Block, who went off the road twice on the event, which ended last Sunday, finished 17th and said: “I actually feel as though I’m driving well and learning lots about these roads. It’s frustrating that we’ve been off the road, but this is really not an easy rally. Having said that, I love the roads here, they’re such a challenge and so different to anything else I do.”While he felt his time in the car was helping him feel more comfortable with the Fiesta, the Monster driver admitted he was not happy with his result.
“I just wasn’t able to put it together,” he said. “It’s frustrating and I’m definitely not happy about it, but it was a difficult race for everybody. I need to remember that I just don’t have the same level of experience as the rest of the field when it comes to Tarmac - and be pleased the setbacks we ran into weren’t more serious.”
Monster team manager Derek Dauncey felt Block was being hard on himself. He added: “While the standings and numbers may not indicate it, Ken did well this weekend. This rally isn’t easy, even for drivers with years and years of experience, so to survive and make it to the end when it’s only your fourth time racing Tarmac at this level is very respectable.”
Block’s next outing will be Rally Australia next month, which will be his first time competing in the country - although he has twice tackled Rally New Zealand as part of the Production Car World Rally Championship.
No comments:
Post a Comment