Block not getting to grips with hard tyres

Ken Block has revealed that he hasn't been able to get to grips with Michelin's hard compound tyre in this morning's Rally Australia shakedown.

Shakedown this morning was Block's first time on the hard compound tyre, and his first time in Australia. He described how he couldn't get any grip mid-way through and exiting corners, sliding wide when he applied the throttle. Overall, he called the tyre's grip 'shocking'.

"I haven't tested the hard tyre at all. We worked really hard to get some heat into the tyres before the start of the stage, but it was still horrible in there. I've never felt a situation like that, when you try to heat them up, but come to the first corner and it was like ice. I was pretty shocked at that. Usually, you stamp on the brakes, turn in and get some grip, but with these we were just sliding wide.” he said.

However, the Gymkhana star says he will just have to get used to the tyres. Aside from the grip issues, he's looking forward to the challenge of Australia, saying the stages look 'fantastic'.

"I'll have to get used to the tyres. But apart from that, everything is good. The stages look fantastic and we're travelling through some beautiful countryside up here. I'm really glad to be back on the gravel after Germany."

Before the rally begins proper tomorrow (Friday) in Coffs Harbour, Block completed another leg of his Gymkhana tour in-front of a sell-out crowd in Melbourne.