2011 WRX STi Prototype attacks Zee 'Ring

I guess it's rally day today on eBrake and I'm on a roll. I saw Autoblog's review of the 2011 Subaru WRX STI and ended up searching YouTube for some video of what this thing must sound like. Thankfully, with the slight revision for the 2011 model and the transition back to a sedan -the overall package seems more appealing than than the 2010. Personally, I like the hatchback but it wasn't rated highly against previous STI's.

That said, according to Autoblog the sedan is a big step up for 2011.

Moving on, I found this video by Car and Driver of the new STI sedan prototype crushing the Nurburgring. Subaru even called in Finnish WRC superstar Tommi Makinen to pilot the car. Ironically, Makinen cut his teeth and set his records primarily with the STI's biggest rival, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution blasting across different surfaces of countryside. However, that doesn't matter as he finished his last two years year in WRC with an Impreza, now does it?

Either way, enjoy the new STI in full attack mode at the hands of a master.

Block vs. Dyrdek: Biggie Smalls Edition

As we've shown you, big man at DC Shoes Ken Block has already demonstrated the abilities of the 2009 rally-prepped Subaru STi around the airbase that is his test track.

In this clip we see Ken Block, in his prepped STi again, going head to head with his mini marketing machine and skate pro Rob Dyrdek, in his own prepped STi...kinda. This is a quick video showing off the Gymkhana drifting skills of the duo in it's own unique style. Being a fan of the show Rob and Big, I can't say this surprises me to see some of the risk they're taking in the video, then again, the use of the Benny Hill theme song makes it all worth while.

Be sure to watch around the 1:30 mark for the incredible change of direction Block makes with his STi around the cones - then compare it to Rob's attempt.

Ford on the Offensive

Today, Ford posted a sales gain for the first time in a long time and this past weekend, Ford claimed a victory against one of the kings of WRC: Subaru. At this past weekend's X Games we saw the Subaru STi of Travis Pastrana, stunt man and biker, versus 1999 Indy 500 champ Kenny Brack in the all-new rally-prepped Ford Fiesta.

It all started to look bad for the Ford after the first jump which sheared most of the rear bumper off but the Subaru lost the battle when Pastrana hung the tail of the Subaru out a hair too far clipping a wall. This ultimately sent the Subaru the wrong way and into a wall while the Fiesta jetted across the finish line. A big win for the blue oval indeed as the X Games are typically a Subaru-won event. Maybe things could turn around for Detroit after all?