By RACER Staff - Apr 16, 2018, 8:13 PM ET

Arpin joins with Block, Hoonigan for ARX

Steve Arpin will compete in the new Americas Rallycross Championship in partnership with Ken Block this season. (RBCP photo)

Ken Block and his Hoonigan Racing Division have teamed up with rallycross driver Steve Arpin and Loenbro Motorsports for the inaugural season of the Americas Rallycross Championship

"The support from our owners, Paul and Jon Leach of Loenbro, our sponsors and our fans during our GRC run has been unbelievable," Arpin, who finished third in last year's Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship, told

SpeedSport

. "We have accomplished so much as a small, private team. We've earned a tremendous opportunity to work closely with Ken Block and Hoonigan."

Development of the team's Ford Focus RS RX will be undertaken by Loenbro Motorsports, while Block and Hoonigan will contribute marketing assistance to China Grove, N.C-based Loenbro. Arpin will also become a Hoonigan driver as part of the deal.

Block told

SpeedSport

he's "excited about partnering with Steve on my 2018 rallycross plans."

"Steve and his team have offered to continue with development of the Ford Focus and I think they're a great partner for myself and my team when it comes to ARX," he said.

The Americas Rallycross Championship was launched in March as a rival to GRC by IMG, the international sports marketing giant which organizes the World and European Rallycross championships.

The news is part of an expanded motorsports program for stunt driving ace Block,

who will also return to the World Rally Championship as a driver at Rally Spain

later this year.