The day was bright and the air was as thick as ever in downtown Toronto. Not because of the unrelenting smog, but owing to the tire shredding smoke that was being produced down by the waterfront. 

It was clear to me that Ken Block arrived early for the Ford Fiesta ST event, as only he could rack up the pile of tire carcasses near the road. Block has become a YouTube drift legend famous for his stylish slide-ways video’s titled “Gymkhana,” which prominently features his WRC Fiesta rally car flying over jumps and drifting between obstacles that look impossible for any mere mortal to attempt. 

Block took some time from his busy schedule to join a group of journalists at the waterfront to put on a show of stunts; while promoting the overall star of the event, the 2014 Ford Fiesta ST. 

As I was given my credentials for the event, I glanced at them and noticed a typo. I was representing my publication humorously under the name “Max Patterson.” I took it in stride and laughed it off with the organizers and began focusing on my new alter ego. 

As initial introductions finished with TheDriver.ca video team, we headed on over to the Fiesta ST that was parked alongside Block’s Fiesta rally car. It was being fitted with a new pair of shoes that would be shredded by the end of the session. The presentation on the Fiesta ST was short, but informative. It was a lifestyle event after all and we were all anticipating what Block had in store for us. 

But for those that are interested, the Fiesta ST packs a 1.6-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that cranks 197 horsepower to the front wheels through a six speed manual. With colors names such as “Race Red” and “Molten Orange” this little hot hatch was sure to boost serotonin levels as one powered through the gears. 

Ford Canada created a makeshift parking lot course and it was time for us to try out how the Fiesta ST handles on it. The course wasn’t long enough to even try third gear, but nonetheless, it performed wonderfully as the car pulled to redline smoothly. The ST comes with a base price of just $24,999 but leaves you with a smile on your face and an appreciation for the superior build quality. It also doesn’t hurt that it comes with a mountain of standard features to play with. 

After running through several laps, we were ushered over to Block’s car where he had emerged from his parked RV. He introduced himself to the crowd and was more than happy to speak with us and have a few pictures taken. Yes, it’s rare for a journalist to take a photo op, but it was a different type of event. Block is a man of few words, who prefers to communicate in race results and screaming engines. 

Ford is always filled with surprises and a few names of those invited were put into a hat to win a drift ride around the course with Mr. Block. The course was modified to suit his needs, so whoever was going to win would have one hell of a ride. Sadly, my name wasn’t one of the ones picked, but The Driver’s video host Cynthia Stone was selected to ride shotgun in the heavily modified Fiesta.  

As Cynthia was strapped into her passenger seat that resembled something out of a space shuttle, she gave us an enthusiastic thumbs-up before blasting off into the distance. All I could see was a cloud of white smoke and loud bangs from the exhaust. As the smoke settled, I could see Block driving the car with the same precision that a Rolls Royce leather maker achieves. Every slide and drift was executed as it was on rails. He flung his Fiesta in-between tight barriers and parked Fords. Onlookers gathered to watch the spectacle unfold as the air grew thicker and thicker with the smell of burnt rubber and spent fuel. Cynthia’s ride ended but the expression on her face seemed to stretch for miles. It’s not every day that one gets to be a passenger in a 600 horsepower all-wheel drive machine spending more time sideways than going straight.

Block’s show was over concluding the event with a bang and many shrieks. We walked away with our pictures and so much rubber in our eyes we could construct a set of Prius tires. In the end, we drove a fantastic hot hatch and watched the hoonigan himself conquer the waterfront. Nevertheless, we headed home with a satisfied quench for tire carnage and speed mayhem with the Ford Fiesta ST event now entering our rear view mirror.