More bad luck for Monster driver Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino as their old-school Ford Escort MkII suffered differential (wiki definition) failure just minutes from the end of SS3 during the first day of Rally NY today. The two day event is just 100 miles from New York city and is part of the USRC - United States Rally Championship. Ken and Alex have made a number of these Rally NY events (two run each year) even though they are not part of the normal Subaru Rally Team USA schedule. If you want to be the best - you need the most practice. Ken loves practice so it's full steam ahead on extra rallies outside the calendar.

Ken and Alex were running 7th overall in the bad ass little Escort and beating a bunch of fast all-wheel-drive cars before their mechanical issue. Definitely a bad ass little position for a RWD car.

I caught up with Alex and he gave me the run down on the race. He provides a little insight into the teething nature of Monster Energy's newly built, vintage Ford Escort MkII rally car.

"We had a very good recce and test on Wednesday, but yesterday few problems came up, most of all a failed alternator. The team located one overnight in New York City, so we were able to install it this morning during the 15 minutes, at the start of the rally."

Funny I was in NYC too last night, but at the CMJ Music Festival. I could have brought you the alternator by dawn. Once you were on the road - it was good while it lasted?

"Yes, we were having a great time and a strong pace on SS1 and SS2, but the diff failed on SS3 and was impossible to continue. We were pleased with our pace early in the race, so truly bummed we couldn't continue. Hoping to drive the Escort soon again."

We can't wait to see it. I think everybody loves that car. If you missed the video of the Ken practicing in the Escort at Team O'Neil Rally School, check it here.

Pics are from Alex's mobile Facebook uploads. Check him out at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1471555028 and alexgelsomino.com