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**Tachyon** · 12-08-2010

I am with Matt on this one.

Ordinarily I’d just let this go, but having been involved in stage rally (for over a decade) first as a spectator, then as a volunteer, team member, and now driver, being called a Band-Wagoner is a little more than I am willing to tolerate.

First, let preface by saying Ken Block is in retail marketing, not motorsports. If you cannot realize this concept, then case in point.
Second, low speed parking lot antics have about as much to do with stage rally as weekend T&C does with a professional drag team. It just isn’t the same thing, not even close.

The beef with Block is not so much with the man; I’ve only met him once, and for only a couple of minutes so I cannot base much of an opinion off that. The beef is he has selected ‘rally’ as his chief marketing tool, and is dumbing it down to some circus-clown antics to be spoon fed to our ADD infested generation to digest.

It just really makes my piss boil that marketing trumps skill, because not everyone who participates in something wants to whore out themselves out to the level that Block does. After all, who here has even heard of Antoine L'Estage, this year’s winner of both US and Canadian rally (in an Evo X no less).

It’s hard to be ‘jealous’ of the man’s success, when quite frankly, he hasn’t had any in the racing community. His few ‘wins’ in Rally America are more of an indicator of the finance gap between the limited national teams. For the record, I have nothing but respect and admiration for real rally drivers such Sebastian Loeb, Marcus Grönholm, Carlos Sainz, Tommi Mäkinen, or the late Richard burns and Colin McRae.

Even if Block survives enough time to have limited success at the WRC level -which would be amazing if it ever happens, For me to like him he would have to lose the 40-something skater punk personality, and act like a mature racing driver who understands he is playing a deadly game. This of course will never happen since it’s part of his marketability.

Also, I wonder how much Block forked out to get a spot on Ford’s Jr. team

Thank you for your time.

12-08-2010	#29
Tachyon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Prior Lake Drives: Icarus Posts: 1,375	Re: Proof that Ken Block can't race I am with Matt on this one. Ordinarily I’d just let this go, but having been involved in stage rally (for over a decade) first as a spectator, then as a volunteer, team member, and now driver, being called a Band-Wagoner is a little more than I am willing to tolerate. First, let preface by saying Ken Block is in retail marketing, not motorsports. If you cannot realize this concept, then case in point. Second, low speed parking lot antics have about as much to do with stage rally as weekend T&C does with a professional drag team. It just isn’t the same thing, not even close. The beef with Block is not so much with the man; I’ve only met him once, and for only a couple of minutes so I cannot base much of an opinion off that. The beef is he has selected ‘rally’ as his chief marketing tool, and is dumbing it down to some circus-clown antics to be spoon fed to our ADD infested generation to digest. It just really makes my piss boil that marketing trumps skill, because not everyone who participates in something wants to whore out themselves out to the level that Block does. After all, who here has even heard of Antoine L'Estage, this year’s winner of both US and Canadian rally (in an Evo X no less). It’s hard to be ‘jealous’ of the man’s success, when quite frankly, he hasn’t had any in the racing community. His few ‘wins’ in Rally America are more of an indicator of the finance gap between the limited national teams. For the record, I have nothing but respect and admiration for real rally drivers such Sebastian Loeb, Marcus Grönholm, Carlos Sainz, Tommi Mäkinen, or the late Richard burns and Colin McRae. Even if Block survives enough time to have limited success at the WRC level -which would be amazing if it ever happens, For me to like him he would have to lose the 40-something skater punk personality, and act like a mature racing driver who understands he is playing a deadly game. This of course will never happen since it’s part of his marketability. Also, I wonder how much Block forked out to get a spot on Ford’s Jr. team Thank you for your time. __________________ "The moment money becomes your motivation, you're immediately not as good as someone who is stimulated by passion and internal will" -Sebastian Vettel