Block, the California based action sports hero-turned-rally driver will compete for the Monster World Rally Team in select rounds of the 2010 WRC season in a Ford Focus RS, becoming the first American to make a multiyear commitment to the Championship.
With the new season starting at Rally Sweden on 12 February, the stage is now set for 2009 winner and six time champion Sebastien Loeb to be joined by the likes of both Block and former Formula 1 star Kimi Räikkönen.
"Racing in the World Rally Championship has always been a dream of mine but I'd still be dreaming if I promised podiums in the near future," said Block. "I will be going head-to-head with the greatest drivers on the planet. And sure, I will be giving it my all but my main objective for 2010 is to develop into a competitive driver for 2011 and beyond.
" Simon Long, CEO of North One Sport, the Official Championship Promoter of the WRC, commented: "Ken Block is an iconic figure in US motorsport and a major box office personality due to his X Games success and viral video campaigns. It provides us with huge opportunities to promote and grow the appeal of the WRC in North America and across the globe.
"Along with our millions of fans, I am extremely excited to see how both Ken and Kimi get to grips with the variety of surfaces and challenging conditions that make the WRC the most diverse motorsport on the planet.
"We're delighted to have secured unbelievable driving talents but also huge global stars, and welcome them into the WRC community."
Räikkönen, the Finnish driving sensation and 2007 Formula 1 World Champion, will swap his Ferrari for a Citroen C4 to compete in 12 of the 13 rallies for the Citroën Junior Team.
Block and Räikkönen join an already immensely talented group of drivers looking to claim the 2010 WRC crown, including 2009 runner up Mikko Hirvonen, Finnish compatriot Jari-Matti Latvala, 2003 champion Petter Solberg, Spain's Dani Sordo, young French star Sebastien Ogier and British hopeful Matthew Wilson.
