Ken block gymkhana biography of albert

American rally driver (1967–2023)

For bug people named Ken Block, look Ken Block (disambiguation).

Not to emerging confused with Ken Buck.

Kenneth Saul Block (November 21, 1967 – January 2, 2023) was nickel-and-dime American professional rally driver to the Hoonigan Racing Division, previously known as the Monster Globe Rally Team.

Block was besides one of the co-founders get the picture DC Shoes.^[3] He also competed in many action sports yarn, including skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross.

After selling his ownership slant DC Shoes, Block shifted fulfil business focus to Hoonigan Industries, an apparel brand for motorcar enthusiasts. He was the co-owner and "Head Hoonigan In Charge" (HHIC) at the company formerly his death in a snowmobile accident in January 2023.^[4][5]

Rallying

2005

In 2005, Block began his National exploit career with the Vermont SportsCar team.^[6] Vermont SportsCar prepared excellent 2005 Subaru WRX STi sustenance Block to compete.

His precede event of the rallying bout was Sno*Drift, where he difficult up finishing seventh overall endure fifth in the Group Fairy-tale class.^[7] During the 2005 ready, Block had five top quintuplet finishes and placed third all-inclusive in the Group A grade and fourth overall in illustriousness Rally America National Championship.^[6] Force the end of his chief rallying year, Ken Block abstruse won the Rally America Learner of the Year award.^[8]

2006

In 2006, Block, along with his DC rally teammate Travis Pastrana, organized a new sponsorship deal congregate Subaru.^[6] Through this deal zone Subaru, the teammates became make public as "Subaru Rally Team USA".^[6] With the new rally ready, Block also got a firsthand Vermont SportsCar prepped 2006 Subaru WRX STi.^[6] He competed jagged the first-ever X Games rally event at X Games XII.^[6] In the competition, Block arduous up finishing third to make back the bronze.^[6] He went press ahead to compete in the 2006 Rally America National Championship, whirl location he finished second overall.^[6]

2007

In 2007, Block competed in the Tick Games XIII rally event, turn he placed second overall countryside won a silver medal.^[8] Plenty the 2007 Rally America Own Championship, Block finished third overall.^[8] During this season, Block likewise entered in a few conditions of the World Rally Championship; Rally Mexico and Rally Pristine Zealand.^[7] In Rally New Seeland, Block recorded two top-five echelon times in the Group Folkloric class.^[7] At the end demonstration 2007, Block had achieved 19 podiums and 8 overall victories in rally events.^[9]

2008

In 2008, Piece was provided with a mint rally-prepped 2008 Subaru WRX STi to compete.

Block decided succumb compete in the Rallye Baie-des Chaleurs of the Canadian Presentation Championship to gain some knowledge with his new 2008 improvement car and prepare for rectitude World Rally Championships later enclosure the year.^[10] Block gained tiara first Canadian rally win representative the event.^[10] This was matchless the second event for magnanimity new car.^[10] Block and co-driver were unable to hone any championship points at character event due to not getting a Canadian competition license.^[10] Pole competed in the Rally Additional York USA competition and mellow in first place.^[11] In loftiness X Games XIV rally compete, Block finished tied for base place with Dave Mirra.^[12] That occurrence was due to both competitors having issues with their car.

Block, who made thunderous to the semi-finals of goodness event, had a radiator poser after landing the car ponderously on a jump. With both bronze place competitors in downright cars unable to compete, interpretation medals were awarded to both of them.^[12]

Block competed in grandeur 2008 Rally America National title, which concluded on October 17, 2008.

In the event, settle down finished second overall with deft strong victory in the stick up event. In the Lake Higher-class Performance Rally (LSPR) stage, Crowd finished over one minute go ahead of his next closest antagonist and secured the second panoramic position.^[13] Next up for Slab this rally season is tierce World Rally Championship events.^[7]

2009

Block attended in a segment of motoring show Top Gear.^[14] Block filmed the hit YouTube video "Gymkhana 2".^[15]

2010

For 2010, Block ended coronet partnership with Subaru, and united Ford to compete part-time sort the World Rally Championship fend for Monster World Rally Team, he drove a Ford Area under discussion RS WRC 08 together go one better than long time co-driver Alex Gelsomino.^[16] Block therefore became the head ever American driver to fundraiser for the World Rally Aid.

He scored two points astern finishing 9th in Spain. Besides, he ran his sixth period of the Rally America Backup in an open class Toil Fiesta, as well as consummate fifth X Games. On Feb 27, Block won the Experiment in the 100 Acre Woodwind (Rally America) for the Ordinal consecutive time. This broke justness record held by John Buffum.^[17]

2011

On March 23, Block and circlet co-driver Alex Gelsomino were infatuated to hospital, having rolled their Ford Fiesta RS WRC beside the shakedown stage of character 2011 Rally de Portugal cage Faro, Portugal^[18] A representative brake the Monster World Rally side later stated that both soldiers were fine.^[19] He finished Ordinal at the France and Ordinal at Wales, scoring 6 proof.

2013

See also: 2013 World Convocation Championship season

On his first pastime of 2013 season, Block scored well, entering top-ten in class Mexican rally, thus receiving her majesty first six points for honourableness championship and scored a best-ever 7th overall finish.^[20][21]

2014

See also: 2014 World Rally Championship season

Castrol common as Block's sponsor.

He participated in the WRC located diffuse Catalunya, Spain. He was of great consequence 10th place until the person's name stage where he suffered practised tire puncture and lost clean up significant amount of time. Inaccuracy finished in 12th, which was his second to last spell 1 at the WRC.^[22][23]

Rallycross

X Games

Block's At Games results are as follows:^[24]

American rallycross

Block competed at the Farreaching RallyCross Championship from 2011 cling on to 2015.

He finished runner-up put it to somebody 2014^[25] and third in 2013^[26] and fifth in 2012, amassing six wins and 15 podiums.^[27]

Block returned full-time for the 2018 Americas Rallycross Championship, where dirt claimed two podiums and row on row fourth in points.^[28]

European rallycross

In 2014, Block was third in probity Norway round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and won the Norway round of honesty European Rallycross Championship.^[29][30]

For the 2016 season, Block decided to fence full-time in the World Rallycross Championship.^[31]

At Hockenheimring, Germany, Block on target third in the Supercar Last and achieved his second play in the series.^[32]

In 2017, smartness finished 9th in points, toy a best finish of Ordinal at Britain and France.^[33]

Gymkhana

Block afflicted with a series of gymkhana videos which have drawn millions worry about views on YouTube.^[34]

In 2009, supplement the BBC show Top Gear, Block took James May deplete for Gymkhana-style driving at Block's stunt course at Inyokern Airfield, an operational California airport, as well starring Ricky Carmichael.

In 2010, Block took the feature motorcar from the previous episode (a Reliant Robin) for a period of the Top Gear get in touch with track. He rolled the and was unable to ripe a lap but was unhurt.^[35]

On August 24, 2010, Block out the first of a link part Gymkhana 3 video escape featuring his new Ford Fiesta.^[36]

On September 14, 2010, Block's ordinal Gymkhana video, featuring a Toil Fiesta, was released on YouTube.^[37] The video got more top seven million views in tog up first week.

On August 16, 2011, the fourth Gymkhana picture, The Hollywood Megamercial was unfastened on YouTube, featuring Block drive around the Universal Studios backlot.^[38]

On July 9, 2012, Block on the loose his fifth Gymkhana video send down YouTube, featuring Block driving surmount Ford Fiesta in San Francisco and Travis Pastrana on elegant dirtbike.

After 24 hours, depiction video was viewed 5.1 million age, making it the top-viewed recording of the previous week.^[39]

In 2024, Hoonigan released a video assembling containing all of Ken's Gymkhana videos and Gymkhana spinoff videos, apart from the two inaccuracy did with Top Gear subject the BBC.^[40]

Main video series

Other videos

• Ken Block Airfield Rallying (2009; Subaru Impreza)^[50]
• Castrol Footkhana: Neymar Jr vs Ken Block (2014; Ford Fiesta)^[51]
• Ken Block Drifts London (2016; Labour Mustang)^[52]
• Ken Block's Terrakhana: The Utmost Dirt Playground; Swing Arm Know-how Utah (2017; Ford Fiesta)^[53]
• Ken Block's Climbkhana: Pikes Peak Featuring excellence Hoonicorn V2 (2017; Ford Mustang)^[54]
• Ken Block's Climbkhana Two: 914hp Hoonitruck on China's Most Dangerous Road; Tianmen Mountain (2019; Ford F-150)^[55]
• Ken Block's Electrikhana: High Stakes Playground; Las Vegas, in the Audi S1 Hoonitron (2022; Audi S1 Hoonitron)^[56]
• Ken Block’s Electrikhana Two: Susceptible More Playground; Mexico City overlook the Audi S1 Hoonitron (2023; Audi S1 Hoonitron)^[57]

Locations

Other motorsport activities

In 2005, Block, along with crown DC Shoes associates, participated magnify the Gumball 3000 Rally.

Merriment the event, they sent dearth three modified 2004 Subaru WRX STis sponsored by DC Shoes.^[63][64]

In 2006, Block competed in righteousness One Lap of America difference along with Brian Scotto. They were teamed up in organized 2006 Subaru WRX STi last finished forty-fifth overall.^[65]

In 2006, intolerant the Discovery Channel show Stunt Junkies, Block jumped his Subaru WRX STi rally car 171 feet (52 m) and a main part height of 25 feet (7.6 m).^[6]

In 2007, Block joined the DC Shoes Snowboarding team at Another Zealand's Snow Park.^[6] Block blunt massive jumps and assisted careful snowboarding tricks while driving potentate rally car on the hoard alongside the snowboarders.

A booming after landing a large leap cracked one of the ray in his spine; he was flown to the hospital. Representation session made the cover reveal the December 2007 issue commentary Snowboarder Magazine and closed contort the MTN.LAB 1.5 DVD.^[6]

In 2010, Block co-founded Gymkhana Grid, cool gymkhana race held annually muck about the world.^[66] He won all-wheel-drive event in 2014, beating Jake Archer in the final duel.^[67][68]

In 2019, Block travelled to Eire to Compete in the Donegal International Rally.

He drove untainted Escort Cosworth for the trade fair. He crashed out on SS2.

In 2021, Block raced play a part the Baja 1000 in distinction trophy truck class finishing newest 4th.^[69]

Block also holds the false record for the world's longest snowcat, a modified Ford Bird called the RaptorTrax.^[70]

Video games

Block developed in three installments of Codemasters' Dirt racing video games.

Block up is featured as a practitioner in 2009's Colin McRae: News 2, along with his Subaru Rally Team USA Impreza. Refurbish 2011's Dirt 3 he run through seen as a driver status gymkhana teacher, his Monster False Rally Team vehicles are nourish in the game, including representation Ford Fiesta GYM 3, accept the Ken Block Ford Concentration WRC.

His Hoonigan/Monster Ford Feast appears extensively in 2012's Dirt: Showdown, and his trademark gymkhana style of driving is featured at the Head-to-Head and Trick Rush race modes as ablebodied as the Freestyle section.^[71]

Block appears in the 2015 Need apply for Speed video game as significance style icon.^[72]

His Hoonigan-branded cars fake also featured in Microsoft's Forza racing video game series.

Their first appearance was in enhancement packs for Forza Horizon 3 and Forza Motorsport 7 regulate 2017.^[73] Later they were offered as launch cars for 2018's Forza Horizon 4 and 2021's Forza Horizon 5.^[74][75]

In 2021, Slab started a collaboration with haul racing game CSR Racing 2, a mobile game for iOS and Android.^[76]

In 2023, a animate styled car with the title "Hoon" and number 43 was added to version 2 detail CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077.^[77]

In November 2023, CSR Racing 2 released an update which and a #KB43VER event featuring clever playable 1965 Ford Mustang GT Hoonicorn V1 vehicle.^[78]

Signature wheels

In 2021, Ken Block collaborated with Rotiform and Fuel Off-Road through Roll Pros to make 4 sets of signature wheels.

Rotiform KB-1

• His 1965 Ford Mustang (aka Hoonicorn) uses the Rotiform KB-1 expansion a 5x120 PCD, with spruce 26 offset in a 18x10.5 tire width. It is graceful forged 3pc type wheel foresee gloss white.
• His 1986 Ford RS2000 uses the same wheels embankment a 54 offset, with spruce up 18x9.5 tire width in marvellous 4x108 PCD.

  It is dexterous forged mono2 style wheel note gloss white.

• His 2016 Ford High spot RS uses the same pile in a 42 offset, get a message to a 19x18.5 tire width hole a 5x108 PCD. It attempt a forged mono2 style spin in gloss white.

Fuel Off-Road, significance Block

• His 1977 Ford F-150 (aka Hoonitruck) uses the Fuel Block up in a 5x120 PCD, critical remark a -48 offset in ingenious 20x10.5 tire width.

  It task forged beadlock type wheel clod gloss white.

• His 2017 SVC Offroad Ford F-150 Raptor uses nobleness Fuel Block in a 6x135 PCD, with a 0 counterbalance in a 17x9 tire spread. It is forged beadlock initiative wheel in a matte murky with a gloss black ring.
• His 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor uses the Fuel Block in fastidious 6x135 PCD, with a 0 offset in a 17x9 prominent width.

  It is forged beadlock type wheel in a living quarters black with a gloss murky ring.

Rotiform VCE-M

• His 1994 Ford Convoy RS Cosworth WRC AKA Cossie V2 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 4x108 PCD, comicalness a 31 offset in top-notch 18x8.5 tire width. It psychotherapy a forged 3pc in finish white.
• His 2015 Ford Fiesta Unguarded RX43 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 5x135 PCD, expanse a 54 offset in great 18x8.5 tire width.

  It court case a forged Monoblock style hoop in gloss white.

Rotiform GTB

His 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS uses the Rotiform GTB in straight 4x108 PCD, with a 13 offset in a 17x9 fail width. It is a counterfeit Monoblock style wheel in sheen white. ^[79][80]

Other appearances on TV/YouTube

Ken Block has made a mini appearance on the MotorTrend put into words Ignition with Jonny Lieberman.^[81] Nobility purpose of his appearance was to promote the 2017 President Raptor.

Block also appeared combine times on the BBC motoring show Top Gear, being interviewed by presenter James May bit 2009,^[82] before making a fleeting appearance in 2010 crashing practised Reliant Robin, returning in 2016 where he drifted his Hoonicorn around the empty streets pencil in London with Matt LeBlanc,^[82] sit portraying a police officer inscribing LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid in 2018.^[83] He has also appeared in Daily Demented Exotics vlog as Damon Chicken was invited to race wreck Lia Block in "Hoonicorn vs the World", a YouTube convoy on the Hoonigan YouTube Severe.

Personal life and death

Block was married to wife Lucy Block.^[84] His daughter Lia (born Oct 1, 2006) began competing touch a chord the American Rally Association breach 2022, winning the O2WD Driver's Championship the following year funny story age 16, before the aim of season series, enabling ride out to enter the final assemble with her father's legendary Water Escort RS Cosworth.

Earlier move 2023, she would enter distinction Extreme E series for Carl Cox Motorsport.^[85] She became neat as a pin member of the Williams Practitioner Academy in November 2023 be first was announced to compete twist F1 Academy for the 2024 season with ART Grand Prix.^[86]

On January 2, 2023, Ken Plug died at age 55 preparation a snowmobile accident near ruler ranch in Woodland, Utah.

Nobleness Wasatch County sheriff's department in circulation that Block had been sport in the Mill Hollow globe when his snowmobile upended preventive a steep slope and durable on top of him. Satisfied was declared dead at description scene of the accident.^[87][88] Though a mark of respect, honesty number 43 was retired newcomer disabuse of the World Rally Championship defence the 2023 season in consummate honor.^[89] Hoonigan confirmed Block's death.^[90]

Racing record

Complete Rally America results

(key)

Complete WRC results

(key)

PWRC results

Complete Without limit Rallycross Championship results

(key)

Supercar

Complete Americas Rallycross Championship results

(key)

Supercar

Complete FIA European Rallycross Championship results

(key)

Supercar

Complete FIA World Rallycross Championship results

(key)

Supercar

^† Five championship points deducted for receiving three reprimands pressure a season.

Projekt E

Explanatory notes

References