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American rally icon Ken Block is set to compete in next year’s World Rally Championship as part of a new Ford team.

The all-new Monster Energy Drink World Rally Team is expected to sign a three-year deal to compete in the sport next month and ex-Subaru driver Chris Atkinson is being lined up to be Block’s team mate.

Block has achieved cult status in the US thanks to his all action performances in his Monster-backed Subaru Impreza rally car. He competes in Rally America, as well as in extreme sports events.

The WRC is keen to enhance its profile in the US, and Block’s entry would lead to the sport receiving much wider coverage across North America.

Block and Atkinson would compete in around half the events next year in 2009-spec Ford Focus cars, before competing in the entire series from the following year.

WRC promoter Simon Long said: "Ken Block is an iconic figure in US motorsport and a major box office personality. It wouldn't get much better than this for the WRC going into North America."

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