[Cosmonaut]

British Ford enthusiasts and others making their way to Goodwood will have a lot to look forward to at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. The annual event is themed "Flat Out and Fearless: Racing on the Edge" and will see the UK debut of the Ford Focus RS with famed stunt driver Ken Block behind the wheel. It's sure to be a show of both what the Ford Focus RS can do, and what Ken Block can do.

Ken Block has made a name for himself with his stunt driving "Gymkhana" YouTube video, which have garnered over 300 million views. He is currently sponsored by Monster Energy Drinks. In addition to driving the Ford Focus RS, he will also be bringing his own "Hoonicorn," a 1965 Ford Mustang that has been customized with four-wheel drive, a 845 bhp V8 engine, bespoke suspension, and bodywork inspired by racing cars and toys that Block had as a kid.

The Ford Focus RS has a 2.3-litre turbocharged engine under the hood that produces "in excess of" 316 bhp. Full specs aren't known right now, but we do know that it also is a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Ken Block will drive both vehicles up the 1.16-mile Goodwood Hill Climb during the Festival of Speed which runs from June 25th-28th.

 

[S.Elliot]

Expect this. It's how the RS made its initial debut, even as a test mule under the old shell. Keeping him on till the end helps the image they're trying to create.

 

[Jobber]

Fascinating, I wonder if he gets slidy going up the hill? Would be a nice little shock for stuffy Ol' Goodwood

 

[Cosmonaut]

Yea I'm wondering if it will be entertaining to watch him do the climb. Will he race up just like everyone else, or will he add in some flair just for fun?

 

[Creedence]

Yea I'm wondering if it will be entertaining to watch him do the climb. Will he race up just like everyone else, or will he add in some flair just for fun?

no one 'races' at Goodwood. Its a celebration of speed not an application of. Sounds like a showcase demo. Alfa ran the 4C up last year or the year before as promotion. Its becoming a common place for publicity.

 

[Cosmonaut]

no one 'races' at Goodwood. Its a celebration of speed not an application of. Sounds like a showcase demo. Alfa ran the 4C up last year or the year before as promotion. Its becoming a common place for publicity.

It's not a race, but it is a time trial right? It may not be a competition but drivers and companies still want to win and do the best that they can.

I think that knowing that it is more for entertainment than anything does answer my question though.

 

[S.Elliot]

what it has really come down to is an extension of their marketing efforts, automotive media runs with goodwood information for a while and it's one of the worlds premiere automotive events, it's the place to do big things, a lot of eyeballs are watching.

 

[Cosmonaut]

It feels like the best mix of local and big time corporate car show. It looks like it still has that local feel and plenty of people bring awesome rare cars, yet it is heavily sponsored and all the big companies bring flashy cars on top of their regular ones.

It's one of the auto events I would most want to go to.

 

[Cosmonaut]

Just wanted to add that Ken Block is going to be participating in the first ever drifting section of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. He won't be driving the Focus RS though. Don't be sad because he will be driving his own 850 HP Ford Mustang 'Hoonicorn' which will be very exciting.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/ken-block-will-perform-in-the-drifting-category-at-the-2015-goodwood-festival-of-speed-96085.html

 

[S.Elliot]

I'm actually happier to see that Mustang than the RS. That Mustang is unreal, unlike any other mustang out there and is much more goodwood demo worthy

 

[Cosmonaut]

I'm actually happier to see that Mustang than the RS. That Mustang is unreal, unlike any other mustang out there and is much more goodwood demo worthy

I agree. The Focus RS is cool as this car that is actually attainable for me, but the Hoonicorn is cool because it is so out there and awesome that its this crazy dream car that you can observe. It's a show piece.