Ford Performance Racing’s (FPR) Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom have shown their skill behind the wheel following tutorial sessions with viral video superstar Ken Block at Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne.
The factory Ford duo spent three days with Block as part of the Australian leg of the Ken Block Gymkhana World Tour, where one whole day was dedicated to a truly unique driver swap event.
Block took Davison and Winterbottom for a passenger ride in his specially-prepared Ford Fiesta RS WRC Gymkhana car – star of the Gymkhana THREE viral videos – showing the pair firsthand what was required to perform his well-known stunt show.
The V8 Supercar drivers than repaid the favour in a dual-liveried Orrcon Steel/Trading Post FPR Falcon, taking Block for laps around the Calder Park long circuit.
It was then time to see how all three fared in foreign machinery and none disappointed.
Block completed more than 10 laps driving FPR’s Falcon, gradually increasing his speed and becoming smoother and smoother.
The American described himself as a long-time fan of the series and relished the experience.
“It was good. The power delivery and the set-up is very nice. It’s fun to drive,” Block said of driving the Falcon FG V8 Supercar.
Winterbottom and Davison then lived out the dreams of millions of fans worldwide by driving the 2.0-litre turbo-charged Fiesta.
Both completed a series of tricks and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“That was a lot of fun,” Winterbottom said. “It is so different to our car so I can relate to what Ken experienced driving ours. There is so much power, the car is a lot lighter and has drive through all four wheels.
“It was just cool to drive Ken Block’s car and try and do what he does. He’s the master.”
Davison also held Block’s skill in high regard, but didn’t want to get out of the custom-built Fiesta.
“Experiences like this is why I love being a racing driver,” Davison said on stepping out of the Gymkhana car.
“It was just so much fun driving his Fiesta. You have to monster it and really give it a hard time but when you do the car does what it was built to.
“Ken is just a legend and to drive his car was a real pleasure. He was a great guy, adapted to our car quickly, Frosty and I got a little taste of his too, so a good time all round.”
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more from the FPR/Ken Block car swap.