Former World Rally driver and online video favourite Ken Block is to move into𒆙 the FIA World RallyX Championship in ൲2016 with full backing from Ford Performance.

The American has developed a huge online following through his Gymkhana 🌳video series - where he participates in a series of stunts and extravagant driving feats -, amassing more than six million fans on his YouTube channel alone.

Beyond his vast social media status, Block has also dabbled 🐼in world championship competition, taking in a number of 'wild-card' World Rally outings since 2008, in addition to a part-season campaign in 2011 with his own Monster Rally outfi🧸t.

More recently he has ಌcompeted in the American-based Global RallyCross series, where he is a six-time event winner and was an overall runner-up in 2014.

For 2016, Block will move onto the world stage with full backing from✨ Ford Performance, saying he will be focusing all of his efforts on R🌸allyX this year.

"I'm stoked to be able to compete for an FIA World Rallycross title!" said Block, who🍨 will drive a Fiesta under the 'Hooniga🏅n Race Division' banner.

"I've really enjoyed my past six yearꦛs racing with Ford and to renew my relationship with them moving forward, as well as receiving an increased level of involvement from For🃏d Performance, to compete for a World Rallycross Championship, well, I couldn't be happier!

"For a bi🐬g portion of my career I've maintained a mixed focus and kept a diverse race calendar, but now I'll be focusing myself fully on one single championship. I've been stoked with what my team and I have accomplished so far with my Ford Fiesta ST racecars and I'm excited to see what we'll be able to do next season with factory support.ജ It's going to be a very exciting 2016 and I can't wait to get started."

Block has previousl🐼y competed in two World RallyX events in 2014, scoring a third and fourth place finish in Norway and France respectively.