FORD FIESTA POWERS KEN BLOCK TO VICTORY IN 100 ACRE WOOD RALLY

SALEM, Mo., Feb. 27, 2010 – The all-new Ford Fiesta is fun to drive, and Ken Block proved it is also reliably fast as the Monster Energy Drink Fiesta captured the 2010 Rally America 100 Acre Wood Rally by 21-seconds over second place Antoine L'Estage. The win is the first for Fiesta in a North American Stage Rally and the first for Fiesta in Rally American competition. The win for Block was his fifth straight at the 100 Acre Wood Rally.

“I can’t tell you how difficult and challenging this weekend has been, “said Block. “This is the location of my first national rally win, so I have now won this rally five years in a row and it is a pretty good feeling to get the Fiesta home in first. The Fiesta is a big change from the car I was racing before, but I am finally starting to come to grips with how to drive it and how to go as fast as I can. It is very fun to drive and I am really enjoying the Fiesta.”

Block started the day over a minute behind the leader and in third place. Overnight changes to the Fiesta allowed Block to win three of the ten stages and overcome the deficit en rout to the victory.

“Two months ago this program did not exist and today Ken and the Monster World Rally Team have celebrated Fiesta’s first Rally America victory. It has been nothing short of amazing to see Ken Block’s Fiesta program develop before our eyes,” said Jamie Allison, Ford Director of North America Motorsport. “Fiesta is proving to be an incredibly competitive platform for rally racing. Within the last six months Fiesta has won X Games gold, the 2010 Monte Carlo Rally and now has claimed its first stage rally win in the United States. What an incredible start for Fiesta.”

Block and the Monster World Rally Team have precious little time to enjoy their victory as they leave Sunday for Mexico where Block will make his Ford FIA World Rally Championship debut.

Going on sale in the summer of 2010, the all-new fun to drive Ford Fiesta features an expressive, vibrant design, with sharp reflexes and a global track record that will redefine U.S. small car customers’ expectations. With 15 class-exclusive technologies and projected best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, Fiesta brings fuel economy and convenience together.

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About Ford North America Motorsports
Ford North America Motorsports, based in Dearborn, Mich., is responsible for major racing operations in North America, including NASCAR (Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, Camping World Trucks), Grand American sports car racing, NHRA drag racing, USAC midget car racing and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge. The department also oversees the development and marketing of Ford Racing Engines and Performance Parts, the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts, and the marketing of the Ford Racing brand through initiatives such as Team Ford Racing. For more information regarding Ford Racing’s activities, please visit www.fordracing.com .