Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino of the Monster World Rally Team have claimed an emphatic victory on the Olympus Rally in Washington today. Block set a blistering pace from the outset leading the rally from start to finish and winning nine out of the event's ten special stages.

The World Rally Championship driver and Internet Gymkhana sensation's gradual return to North American rallying has been a triumphant one having also won Missouri's Rally in the 100 Acre Wood last February and Quebec's Rallye Defi earlier this month.

Block finished the dry, dusty Olympus Rally an astonishing 4 minutes 23.1 seconds ahead of reigning American champions David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew.

Higgins, who mathematically defended the American crown for Subaru at the New England Forest Rally in July, placed second on the provisional podium. Privateers Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard of the Rockstar Mitsubishi Rally Team finished Olympus third overall.

This weekend's Olympus Rally was the sixth and final event of the American championship's 2012 season calendar.