Watch Ken Block’s Escort RS Cosworth Attack A Rally Stage

Ah, Ken Block! What a nutter. The internet sensation, who was first discovered through his 'Gymkhana Practice’ videos on YouTube, recently acquired a pristine white 1991 Ford Escort RS Cosworth rally car with a huge whale-tail spoiler. The Cossie, as it is lovingly called elsewhere, is a stock car with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with lots of turbolag. Putting out close to 400PS of power and equipped with a 7-speed sequential gearbox, power is sent to all four wheels via a complex active differential system.

Unlike Mr Hoonigan’s other cars, which are modified to produce enough horsepower to spin the Earth, the Escort’s engine has been left untouched. The modifications are limited to zig-zag graphics, liveries and stickers. The king of shredding tyres recently entered his near 30-year-old car in the Oregon Trail Rally in the US. Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino ripped though the forest trails to claim the last step on the podium. First and second spot went to two factory-supported and more modern Subaru WRX STI. Here’s a video of Ken Block attacking one of the stages. Warning: The Cossie may cause an eargasm!