Block won't appear in WRC in 2015

Gymkhana star Ken Block will focus his attentions on the Red Bull Global Rallycross series this season and will not compete in a single World Rally Championship round for the first time since 2009.

Block's rallying outings will be limited to a brace of domestic events in New Zealand and two Rally America rounds alongside his GRC commitments. His decision also means he will not contest any World Rallycross rounds in 2015.

In addition to his competition programs, Block will launch his Gymkhana Eight film and carry out demonstration runs in the modified Ford Mustang he ran in Gymkhana Seven.

"I'm really excited about my race calendar for 2015," said Block. "Just like last year, I feel really lucky to be able to have such a diverse race calendar. I'm looking forward to competing in the full GRC season again and going after that title."

Block lost the 2014 GRC title to Joni Wilman by just five points. He added that he was still keen to keep some involvement in rallying.

"While rallycross is more of my focus these days, I come from stage rallying, so to be able to still do a few events for fun each year is hugely important to me," he said.

OPINION: A significant absence
David Evans, AUTOSPORT rallying editor

Anybody trying to underplay Block's absence from the World Rally Championship is, quite simply, wrong. And they clearly weren't in Montjuic, Barcelona for the ceremonial start of the Catalunya Rally last October.

Forget Sebastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville, the world went mad for Block. It was the same – as usual – in the service park.

Here's why: when Block launched Gymkhana Seven, it was watched more then 10 million times in 52 hours. Doing the math means it was watched 53 times every second for those 52 hours.

Like it or not, the WRC needs Block a lot more than he needs it right now and a no-show from #43 isn't a great reflection on the value return on investment the championship is offering right now.

Equally, it's hard to argue with the choice of rallies he's gone with. New Zealand's International Rally of Whangarei includes some of the best Northland roads on the North Island and the South Island stages around Dunedin are the same on Rally Otago.

Rally America-wise, New England and Lake Superior are both great events and it'll be nice to see David Higgins finally getting some competition. Block's decision to run Global Rallycross instead of the Europe-based World Rallycross is also interesting, especially given that he shares Monster backing with World RX. GRC is, of course, sponsored by Red Bull.

Originally on Autosport.com