Daily News: Thursday 10/26/17

Ken Block’s Gymkhana 10 to Conclude Ken Block’s New Amazon Series

Some of the greatest gifts to the automotive world have taken place on film: the chase scene in Bullitt, various race passes, and the gift that keeps on giving, James Bond, to name a few. One relatively new addition to the pantheon of all time great automotive videos is Ken Block’s Gymkhana web-series.

If you are unfamiliar with this series, it is essentially rally driver/crazy man Ken Block taking an insanely powerful, generally AWD vehicle through places it has no right in going. While details on the next iteration are vague, the trailer released yesterday does reveal some new major sponsors in the form of Amazon and Can-Am.

The video can be watched here:

The biggest reveal of this teaser is the announcement of Amazon’s involvement. Ken Block stated;

“I’m also legitimately excited to be able to announce that I’m collaborating with Amazon Prime Video on ‘The Gymkhana Files’ at the same time. I’ve always taken great pride at being on the leading edge of creating content, as well as viral marketing and in figuring out the best ways to get that content into the hands of fans and consumers”.

He concludes with, “[…] at the end of it all, the fans get to watch ‘Gymkhana Ten’ during the final episode.” While no specific release date has been announced, we do know that we will have to wait until 2018 for either the new video or series, more than likely having to wait until Fall 2018.

Fernando Alonso Will Run the 24 Hours of Daytona

Fernando Alonso, who normally spends his time racing Formula One with McLaren, has announced that he will be moonlighting for his boss, McLaren head Zak Brown at this years Rolex 24 at Daytona. The race kicks off the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the 2018 season.

Alonso will be racing for Mr. Brown’s private racing team, United Autosports, in one of a pair of LMP2 prototypes sourced from the leading French manufacturer Ligier, both powered by a spec 4.5-liter V8 built by Gibson Technologies in England.

This race will mark Alonso’s first attempt at a 24hr race, and add to the long-lost tradition of F1 drivers competing at the legendary Daytona event prior to the start of the grand prix season.

The McLaren driver will make his Daytona debut at the Jan. 5-7 Roar Before The 24 test with UA, and return a few weeks later for the Jan 25-28 race where will be joined by former F1 driver Paul Di Resta, young Texan Will Owen, and others on the extended UA roster.