Richard Bazzy
No Comments

[VIDEO/PHOTOS] Ken Block Introduces the Gymkhana Escort

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page
Gymkhana Escort

Meet the Gymkhana Escort
Photo: Hoonigan Industries

Ken Block is a brilliant, beautiful madman when it comes to modifying something old and turning into something insane. This, and his appreciation for the history of Ford’s RS program, likely played a significant factor in Ford Performance tapping Block’s expertise for the also-insane-in-a-good-way 2016 Ford Focus RS.

This kind of brilliant insanity shone through in full force around SEMA 2014 when Block and Hoonigan Industries revealed the Hoonicorn RTR. It shines through once again today with the revelation of the first rear-wheel-drive Gymkhana car that Block has ever built—a souped-up, beautifully-bizarre 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS.


Ford’s New Celebrity Spokesman: The Rock lays the smack down in new ad for Ford Service


Gallery: Ken Block’s 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS – The Gymkhana Escort

Gymkhana Escort

The stated purpose of this 35-plus-year-old Escort Mk2 RS? To “kill tires with the quickness.” And with a 2.5-liter Millington four-cylinder supplying 333 horsepower to the rear wheels and a 9,000 rpm redline, it’s pretty much guaranteed it will do just that.

Block and Hoonigan worked with Rocket Bunny’s Kei Miura on the stance and arches, utilizing fifteen52 wheels with Pirelli tires that are sure to be shredded. Block and Hoonigan promise that we can watch said shredding in “a bigger video project for 2016,” but in the meantime, here’s Block hooning the ever-loving crap out of his creation at the Hoonigan Donut Garage. Don’t say I didn’t ever do anything nice for you.

Video: Watch the Gymkhana Escort HOOOOOOOOOOON

The Hoonigan/Rocket Bunny Ford Escort Mk2 RS will make its first public appearance at the Monster Energy Gymkhana GRID Finale this weekend, and I would not be the least bit shocked if it found its way to SEMA next month.


More on the 2016 Focus RS: It has screens to block out spiders…seriously


Photo Source: Hoonigan Industries