Amazing World Rally Championship driver Ken Block does things with a car that many of us could only dream of, let alone actually have the a chance to achieve, and incredibly, it’s his everyday job. Back in 2011, he took a trip to the Land Down Under, where he had the unique opportunity to swap seats (and sides, as they drive on the wrong side and car down there) with V8 Supercar series drivers Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison for some fun at Calder Park Raceway.
Not only did he have to swap sides and subsequently pilot the car and observe the driver’s compartment from what is typically the passenger seat, but he also had to try to adapt to the rear wheels of the V8 Supercar-spec Ford Falcon driving the car forward instead of the typical layout in his Ford Fiesta Rally, which is an all-wheel-drive machine that needs a bit of extra assistance to get the tail kicked out in a corner. What follows is an interesting lesson in vehicle dynamics, as experienced by some of the best drivers on earth. It’s neat to see them try to adapt to the different driving styles required by the respective machines, and even better to see the humbled looks on their faces during the interviews. Block didn’t do so hot initially, even spinning the Falcon out in the very first corner, but by the end of the day appeared to have a relatively decent handle on how to get the 650-horse V8 machine around the track. Winterbottom and Davison also had difficulties, but all in all, the three drivers likely performed better than anything you or I could have accomplished. An interesting watch, for sure. Check it out!