Block struggling with tyres in Rally Australia
American driver Ken Block has admitted he is struggling to work with the Michelin-supplied tyres for this week's Rally Australia
The Monster-backed Gymkhana star is competing in down under for the first time - and using the hard compound Michelin for the first time.
He described the grip level as "shocking" after this morning's shakedown test.
"I haven't tested the hard tyre at all," said Block. "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."
Block completed another leg of his Gymkhana tour in Melbourne, driving in front of a sell-out crowd in the southern city, before flying to Coffs Harbour for the latest round of the world championship.
"I'll have to get used to the tyres," he said. "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."
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