The Rallycross version of the new Ford Focus RS, which is simply called RX, will see action for the first time this weekend at the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Portugal. A pair of Ford Focus RS RX racers will compete under the Hoonigan Racing Division flag, driven by Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud.

Now, this is quite an important occasion because, for one thing, Rallycross is growing in popularity by the day and gaining success in this championship earns the brand a whole lot of prestige. What’s more, with all the hype surrounding the new Focus RS road car, and with a driver like Ken Block piloting the RX version, there are a lot of pressure on the Hoonigans to do well.

Well, they sure do have a formidable weapon at their disposal for that task. Ford Focus RS RX boasts a 600 horsepower, all-wheel drive powertrain which catapults the hatchback from 0 to 60 mph in under two-seconds and keeps it sideways pretty much throughout the event. That said, Portugal’s race is one of the toughest on the calendar on account of the altitude, as the circuit is 1800 meters above sea level. Also, the RX has twenty-three other 600-hp monsters to compete with.