It's not quite rally, but we can appreciate it. However, steering lock on an F1 showcar doesn't really permit the kind of sideways driving we like to see in rally (cough - or even drift). Note that there aren't a whole lot of sideways shots of the car, but appreciate such a creative idea to announce the return of F1 to Montreal, June 13, 2010.

Scuderia Toro Rosso driver S bastien Buemi drives the Red Bull Racing running showcar in an exclusive winter session on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and an incredible ice run on the frozen waters of northern Quebec. The car, a 10 cylinder, Cosworth-powered STR1, was fitted with a one-of-a-kind set of Bridgestone Potenza F1 snow tires and featured 420 tungsten studs on each of the front and 588 studs on each of the rear tyres, each one embedded in an aluminum casing.

Photo gallery here. http://www.rallyfix.com/photos/album/Red-Bull-Formula-1-on-Ice/16.html

Ever wanted to know how WRC television broadcasts are made? Watch this video and find us some helicopters in the US.

[blockwood: We're going to see some new flair on Ken Block's Monster World Rally Team cars and merchandise this year; however, a July debut smells of an X Games PR push that may make this gear hard to add to your kit before then.]

The Monster World Rally Team livery for 2010 is collaborative effort between Ken and DC, the new car features an overall paint drip graphic that is an evolution from designs on Ken s prior cars. For the finishing touches, Ken selected Huck Gee, known for his evil skull illustration and Kid Robot toy, to create a personalized KB logo treatment on the car including Huck s signature skull re-done into a block shape for a play on Ken s last name, and a # 43 plate on the side of the car.

After the first time I saw Huck Gee s skull designs I knew I wanted to work with him, said Ken. Not only does Huck s style fit my race car s comic-book proportions perfectly, but he is also a rally fan himself, making this collabo that much more authentic.

This collaboration is the first in a series of collaborations between Ken, DC and Huck Gee that are planned. Look for the next project, a premium limited edition KB x HG x DC Double Label Project, to be released in July for the Fall 2010 season. Also in the works are footwear, apparel and accessories featuring the same the paint drip pattern and KB x HG logo-ing featured on Ken s Ford Fiesta.

Photo: Matthew YoungTravis and Terry Hanson take father/son all the way
to the podium.[blockwood: Sno*Drift was a pretty serious race. Glare ice on all fronts. A couple standouts: Ken Block debuted the Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta only to have suspension failure late in Day 1. You can imagine he drove cautiously and was looking for a finish in this slippery event. Travis Pastrana had collarbone surgery less than a week before the rally. Travis Hanson had a great drive and finished 1st in SP - fifth overall. And, my favorite standout: Carl Decker and Adam Craig popped a turbo on their old Subaru, headed into the open class and ran around 8th all weekend - pulling out the stops and finishing 5th overall in Open.]

From Rally America:

Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom built a solid early lead and continued to put time on the rest of the field over the course of the two-day rally - despite a badly injured left shoulder.

"Man, I'm really excited," said Pastrana. "Everybody next rally is going to come with a sling."

Pastrana broke his collarbone last Sunday during a motocross ride and had to undergo surgery this week to plate it back together before he could drive. But, ever the optimist, Pastrana said the injury actually helped his performance.

"As slick a the roads were out here, I drove as smooth as I could for the shoulder and it made me focus a little bit more," he said at the finish. "It was probably the best thing that could have happened for us."

…..more

Photo: Courtesy Rally AmericaPastrana leads after Day One.Apparently just prior to the weekend, the International Olympic Committee scouted Sno*Drift as new Curling practice area. Ice being the number one, two, and three condition on the stages. The result? Drivers being so cautious that people have said the driving looked "boring." Everyone is going "slowly" because the roads are pure ice - obviously a different story for the teams. It is absolutely amazing how slick the roads actually are, and nevertheless, Day 1 of Sno*Drift is in the bag.

From the top it's Pastrana, L'Estage, Bacon, ACP, and Mirra in Open class. Hanson and Hanson lead SP. And it's no surprise that Chris Duplessis is leading 2WD, and 10th overall.

After all the anticipation, Ken Block's weekend ended early with a spin and a mechanical late in the day, coming to rest behind a blind corner and nearly getting smoked by ACP when he came around - definitely a tough event to debut a car.

Check the coverage and a video on Rally America, here.