We knew Ken Block’s Ford Fiesta had arrived and he’s likely gotten quite a few hours of seat time in–and he’s going to need it.  This weekend, Ken Block and the recently founded Monster World Rally Team are set to debut their Ford Fiesta Rally America program at Sno*Drift in Atlanta, Michigan.  Block & Co. will tour across North America in seven rally events, carrying the Ford flag proudly.  In addition to the regular Rally America series racing challenges, the Monster Ford Fiesta will also make an appearance at the Summer X Games in August.

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Some people have questioned, “What’s the big deal?”  “Why would Block jump from Subaru to a tiny Ford Fiesta?”  Well, the true answer isn’t exactly on the surface, but it isn’t like he’s bailing for bollocks.  The 2011 Ford Fiesta Ken Block will be piloting is one based upon the multi-race-winning European Rallycross Fiesta tweaked and tuned by Olsbergs Motorsports Evolution.

“I am very excited to finally be in the Fiesta,” said Block. “The Fiesta is the car that beat me last summer at X Games. Ford has a great platform with the Fiesta, and I can’t wait to see what I can do in the Rally America championship and at the X Games later this year.”

Last year, the Fiesta made its debut as well as a statement: it is a car full of spirit, fun, and pep; a force to be reckoned with.  Why, you may ask?  The rally version Block will harness is a 2.0-liter turbocharged version, fully stacked for the Rally America series, and is capable of churning out over 490hp at 8,000rpm.  Sounds pretty good, right?  It is.  The bummer, however, is the Rally America series requires a turbo-inlet restrictor, limiting the horsepower output to around 330.

“Ford has a long, winning tradition in European rally and with Ken Block and Fiesta, we’re bringing that to North America for fans to experience first hand,” said Jamie Alison, director, Ford North American Motorsports. “There will be a little bit of rally in every Fiesta. It’s the right form of motorsports to showcase the driving dynamics of Fiesta.” Allison continued, “What people need to remember, as Ken races down the course this weekend, his car started off as a production vehicle. It is a true testament to the capability built into every Ford Fiesta.”

If you want to see the entire Ken Block schedule, as well as more of his 2011 Ford Fiesta, check out fordracing.com and monsterworldrallyteam.com.