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“Ken Block once again proves that he thrives for originality, this time collaborating with famous graffiti artist, Felipe Pantone, to create one of the wildest liveries we’ve seen this year”
Drifters here in New Zealand, and other parts of the world, are usually the kinds of blokes that are willing to push the boundaries when it comes to racing livery. Dragons, palm trees, and half-naked anime characters all make an appearance on such vehicles, but this time Ken Block wanted in on the fun.
If having a 600hp two-litre EcoBoost-powered Ford Focus RX RS that’s capable of New Zealand’s highest legal speed limit from a standstill in under two seconds wasn’t enough to stand out, Ken Block has enlisted the help of a talented street artist to shake the cage. Felipe Pantone is a talented individual with an aerosol-powered spray can, but this time, he had a unique challenge ahead of him for Block.
“I’m really stoked that I was able to partner with Felipe Pantone on this,” said Block. “I’m a huge fan of Felipe’s work and I think it’s awesome that we were able to work together and have him create bespoke art in his signature style for us, that we were then able to translate onto both [the] new Ford Focus RS RX race car,as well as on to Andreas [Bakkerud]’s car, but that also worked equally well for Hoonigan and my other partners on apparel and product.”
Block wanted each and every decal designed by hand in Pantone’s unique style. Blank canvases were erected, an unlimited supply of the best paints were supplied, and Pantone set to work. I think you’ll agree, the art that Pantone has created is out of this world, and follows a worldwide trend of taking it back to the ’80s, and ’90s.
“It was really exciting to work on this project,” said Pantone. “My work talks about speed, technology, and the times we are living in, all of which are embodied by the Hoonigan team.”
Block will have the Focus out in action in Montalegre, Portugal on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 at the first round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, so no doubt there will be some epic imagery to arise from that event. Stay tuned!