This weekend is the first Gymkhana Grid event, put on by Ken Block, DC Shoes and Monster Energy. The Ken Block Invitational event will be held December 3 & 4 at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, CA. Competitors include Ken Block (obviously), Formula Drift driver Dai Yoshiahra (Nissan 240SX), Rally driver Andrew (ACP) Comrie-Picard, Drift/Rally driver and Top Gear America host Tanner Foust, Drift driver Stephan Verdier (Subaru STi) and most interestingly to me, 2010 Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. in Ken Block’s personal car a 1978 Ford Escort Mk2. Vaughn Gittin JR normally drives a Ford Mustang for the Ford / Monster Team.
Missing from the event will be Travis Pastrana who apparently has “forgotten how to turn right” (at least according to the ‘commercial’ put together for the event) since he has left the Subaru Rally Team and officially announced a Nascar campaign for 2011, teaming up with Michael Waltrip racing. .
If you need more reason to attend the event the Monster World Rally Team site gives 10 more reasons:
1. In-your-face Gymkhana action, just like you’ve seen in the videos
2. Free swag
3. Tire smoke
4. Burnout contest
5. Monster Girls
6. Tire smoke
7. All your favorite drivers competing head to head
8. Fire (probably)
9. The Motor Mavens Mass Appeal car show
10. Did we mention lots of tire smoke?
The weekend will also include the “Mass Appeal Car Show” with will feature “the most stylish street and show cars” and car entry is open to the public. Visit the Gymkhana Grid website for more info on entering your car.