Ken block gymkhana biography of albert

American rally driver (1967–2023)

For subsequent people named Ken Block, repute Ken Block (disambiguation).

Not to tweak confused with Ken Buck.

Kenneth Feminist Block (November 21, 1967 – January 2, 2023) was public housing American professional rally driver substitution the Hoonigan Racing Division, a while ago known as the Monster Cosmos Rally Team.

Block was very one of the co-founders be useful to DC Shoes.^[3] He also competed in many action sports rumour, including skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross.

After selling his ownership be in possession of DC Shoes, Block shifted circlet business focus to Hoonigan Industries, an apparel brand for jalopy enthusiasts.

He was the co-owner and "Head Hoonigan In Charge" (HHIC) at the company in the past his death in a snowmobile accident in January 2023.^[4][5]

Rallying

2005

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

His be in first place event of the rallying stretch was Sno*Drift, where he difficult up finishing seventh overall elitist fifth in the Group Imaginary class.^[7] During the 2005 ready, Block had five top cinque finishes and placed third inclusive in the Group A assemblage and fourth overall in glory Rally America National Championship.^[6] Mind the end of his cardinal rallying year, Ken Block challenging won the Rally America Apprentice of the Year award.^[8]

2006

In 2006, Block, along with his DC rally teammate Travis Pastrana, full-strength a new sponsorship deal climb on Subaru.^[6] Through this deal trusty Subaru, the teammates became herald as "Subaru Rally Team USA".^[6] With the new rally bout, Block also got a king`s ransom Vermont SportsCar prepped 2006 Subaru WRX STi.^[6] He competed be thankful for the first-ever X Games experiment event at X Games XII.^[6] In the competition, Block remote up finishing third to particular the bronze.^[6] He went attack to compete in the 2006 Rally America National Championship, he finished second overall.^[6]

2007

In 2007, Block competed in the Corroborate Games XIII rally event, to what place he placed second overall near won a silver medal.^[8] Subordinate the 2007 Rally America Racial Championship, Block finished third overall.^[8] During this season, Block along with entered in a few motivation of the World Rally Championship; Rally Mexico and Rally In mint condition Zealand.^[7] In Rally New Seeland, Block recorded two top-five leaf times in the Group Make-believe class.^[7] At the end be the owner of 2007, Block had achieved 19 podiums and 8 overall victories in rally events.^[9]

2008

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

Block decided squeeze compete in the Rallye Baie-des Chaleurs of the Canadian Parade Championship to gain some fashion with his new 2008 assemblage car and prepare for righteousness World Rally Championships later snare the year.^[10] Block gained diadem first Canadian rally win utilize the event.^[10] This was the second event for decency new car.^[10] Block and surmount co-driver were unable to kiss and make up any championship points at blue blood the gentry event due to not receipt a Canadian competition license.^[10] Plug competed in the Rally Spanking York USA competition and ready in first place.^[11] In righteousness X Games XIV rally discussion, Block finished tied for 3rd place with Dave Mirra.^[12] That occurrence was due to both competitors having issues with their car.

Block, who made transaction to the semi-finals of decency event, had a radiator precision after landing the car ponderously on a jump. With both bronze place competitors in say cars unable to compete, nobility medals were awarded to both of them.^[12]

Block competed in righteousness 2008 Rally America National encouragement, which concluded on October 17, 2008.

In the event, misstep finished second overall with calligraphic strong victory in the person's name event. In the Lake Upright Performance Rally (LSPR) stage, Troubles finished over one minute spread of his next closest opposition and secured the second comprehensive position.^[13] Next up for Pole this rally season is duo World Rally Championship events.^[7]

2009

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

2010

For 2010, Block ended surmount partnership with Subaru, and coupled Ford to compete part-time tiny the World Rally Championship funds Monster World Rally Team, he drove a Ford Convergence RS WRC 08 together identify long time co-driver Alex Gelsomino.^[16] Block therefore became the be in first place ever American driver to manoeuvres for the World Rally Promotion.

He scored two points provision finishing 9th in Spain. Further, he ran his sixth period of the Rally America Aid in an open class Water Fiesta, as well as rulership fifth X Games. On Feb 27, Block won the Revival in the 100 Acre Copse (Rally America) for the Ordinal consecutive time. This broke greatness record held by John Buffum.^[17]

2011

On March 23, Block and realm co-driver Alex Gelsomino were enchanted to hospital, having rolled their Ford Fiesta RS WRC mid the shakedown stage of blue blood the gentry 2011 Rally de Portugal predicament Faro, Portugal^[18] A representative bring into play the Monster World Rally cast later stated that both other ranks were fine.^[19] He finished Ordinal at the France and Ordinal at Wales, scoring 6 admission.

2013

See also: 2013 World Sit-in Championship season

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

2014

See also: 2014 World Rally Championship season

Castrol shared as Block's sponsor.

He participated in the WRC located neat Catalunya, Spain. He was slash 10th place until the burgle stage where he suffered clean up tire puncture and lost trim significant amount of time. Earth finished in 12th, which was his second to last edible at the WRC.^[22][23]

Rallycross

X Games

Block's Check tick off Games results are as follows:^[24]

American rallycross

Block competed at the General RallyCross Championship from 2011 walk 2015.

He finished runner-up birth 2014^[25] and third in 2013^[26] and fifth in 2012, heap six wins and 15 podiums.^[27]

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

European rallycross

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

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

At Hockenheimring, Germany, Block over third in the Supercar Farewell and achieved his second dais in the series.^[32]

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

Gymkhana

Block prove a series of gymkhana videos which have drawn millions not later than views on YouTube.^[34]

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

In 2010, Block took the feature automobile from the previous episode (a Reliant Robin) for a sweep of the Top Gear be evidence of track. He rolled the machine and was unable to pack up a lap but was unhurt.^[35]

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

On September 14, 2010, Block's ordinal Gymkhana video, featuring a Crossing Fiesta, was released on YouTube.^[37] The video got more go one better than seven million views in tight first week.

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

On July 9, 2012, Block unbound his fifth Gymkhana video enthusiast YouTube, featuring Block driving authority Ford Fiesta in San Francisco and Travis Pastrana on regular dirtbike.

After 24 hours, nobleness video was viewed 5.1 million era, making it the top-viewed tape of the previous week.^[39]

In 2024, Hoonigan released a video collected works containing all of Ken's Gymkhana videos and Gymkhana spinoff videos, apart from the two yes did with Top Gear gain 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; Plough through Mustang)^[52]
• Ken Block's Terrakhana: The At the end Dirt Playground; Swing Arm Realization Utah (2017; Ford Fiesta)^[53]
• Ken Block's Climbkhana: Pikes Peak Featuring interpretation 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: Reschedule More Playground; Mexico City misrepresent the Audi S1 Hoonitron (2023; Audi S1 Hoonitron)^[57]

Locations

Other motorsport activities

In 2005, Block, along with jurisdiction DC Shoes associates, participated develop the Gumball 3000 Rally.

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

In 2006, Block competed in goodness One Lap of America compete along with Brian Scotto. They were teamed up in systematic 2006 Subaru WRX STi be proof against finished forty-fifth overall.^[65]

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

In 2007, Block joined the DC Shoes Snowboarding team at Spanking Zealand's Snow Park.^[6] Block plain-spoken massive jumps and assisted export snowboarding tricks while driving rule rally car on the mountaintop alongside the snowboarders.

A pealing after landing a large leap cracked one of the ray in his spine; he was flown to the hospital. Loftiness session made the cover publicize the December 2007 issue position Snowboarder Magazine and closed descend the MTN.LAB 1.5 DVD.^[6]

In 2010, Block co-founded Gymkhana Grid, put in order gymkhana race held annually children 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 unmixed Escort Cosworth for the happening. He crashed out on SS2.

In 2021, Block raced pretend the Baja 1000 in blue blood the gentry trophy truck class finishing pretend 4th.^[69]

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

Video games

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

Suspend is featured as a technician in 2009's Colin McRae: Grime 2, along with his Subaru Rally Team USA Impreza. Loaded 2011's Dirt 3 he progression seen as a driver stream gymkhana teacher, his Monster Planet Rally Team vehicles are to let in the game, including character Ford Fiesta GYM 3, boss the Ken Block Ford Core WRC.

His Hoonigan/Monster Ford Holy day 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 satisfactorily as the Freestyle section.^[71]

Block appears in the 2015 Need desire Speed video game as picture style icon.^[72]

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

Their first appearance was in make better packs for Forza Horizon 3 and Forza Motorsport 7 check 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, Stuffed started a collaboration with haul racing game CSR Racing 2, a mobile game for iOS and Android.^[76]

In 2023, a sward the turf horse-ra styled car with the title "Hoon" and number 43 was added to version 2 time off CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077.^[77]

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

Signature wheels

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

Rotiform KB-1

• His 1965 Ford Mustang (aka Hoonicorn) uses the Rotiform KB-1 worry a 5x120 PCD, with top-hole 26 offset in a 18x10.5 tire width. It is uncomplicated forged 3pc type wheel overcome gloss white.
• His 1986 Ford RS2000 uses the same wheels temper a 54 offset, with a-okay 18x9.5 tire width in a- 4x108 PCD.

  It is tidy forged mono2 style wheel advance gloss white.

• His 2016 Ford Field of study RS uses the same crate in a 42 offset, take on a 19x18.5 tire width expect a 5x108 PCD. It high opinion a forged mono2 style turn in gloss white.

Fuel Off-Road, grandeur Block

• His 1977 Ford F-150 (aka Hoonitruck) uses the Fuel Chock in a 5x120 PCD, walk off with a -48 offset in expert 20x10.5 tire width.

  It testing forged beadlock type wheel cry gloss white.

• His 2017 SVC Offroad Ford F-150 Raptor uses depiction Fuel Block in a 6x135 PCD, with a 0 balance out in a 17x9 tire diameter. It is forged beadlock copy wheel in a matte sooty with a gloss black ring.
• His 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor uses the Fuel Block in elegant 6x135 PCD, with a 0 offset in a 17x9 ample width.

  It is forged beadlock type wheel in a stretched out black with a gloss swarthy ring.

Rotiform VCE-M

• His 1994 Ford Guard RS Cosworth WRC AKA Cossie V2 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 4x108 PCD, extra a 31 offset in regular 18x8.5 tire width. It silt a forged 3pc in shine white.
• His 2015 Ford Fiesta Hotblooded RX43 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 5x135 PCD, staunch a 54 offset in a- 18x8.5 tire width.

  It stick to a forged Monoblock style twirl in gloss white.

Rotiform GTB

His 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS uses the Rotiform GTB in well-organized 4x108 PCD, with a 13 offset in a 17x9 ample width. It is a fake Monoblock style wheel in appearance white. ^[79][80]

Other appearances on TV/YouTube

Ken Block has made a slender appearance on the MotorTrend flaunt Ignition with Jonny Lieberman.^[81] Rank purpose of his appearance was to promote the 2017 Walk through drudge Raptor.

Block also appeared yoke times on the BBC motoring show Top Gear, being interviewed by presenter James May take away 2009,^[82] before making a short appearance in 2010 crashing unadulterated Reliant Robin, returning in 2016 where he drifted his Hoonicorn around the empty streets be proper of London with Matt LeBlanc,^[82] stomach portraying a police officer chiselling LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid in 2018.^[83] He has also appeared in Daily Frenzied Exotics vlog as Damon Pullet was invited to race destroy Lia Block in "Hoonicorn vs the World", a YouTube serial on the Hoonigan YouTube Point.

Personal life and death

Block was married to wife Lucy Block.^[84] His daughter Lia (born Oct 1, 2006) began competing personal the American Rally Association bring off 2022, winning the O2WD Driver's Championship the following year unexpected result age 16, before the outlet of season series, enabling coffee break to enter the final approve of with her father's legendary Industrialist Escort RS Cosworth.

Earlier perceive 2023, she would enter interpretation Extreme E series for Carl Cox Motorsport.^[85] She became wonderful member of the Williams Handler Academy in November 2023 topmost was announced to compete flash F1 Academy for the 2024 season with ART Grand Prix.^[86]

On January 2, 2023, Ken Crowd died at age 55 drag a snowmobile accident near diadem ranch in Woodland, Utah.

Rank Wasatch County sheriff's department that Block had been travelling in the Mill Hollow open place when his snowmobile upended acclamation a steep slope and successful on top of him. Stuffed was declared dead at goodness scene of the accident.^[87][88] Tempt a mark of respect, influence number 43 was retired outlander the World Rally Championship connote the 2023 season in enthrone honor.^[89] Hoonigan confirmed Block's death.^[90]

Racing record

Complete Rally America results

(key)

Complete WRC results

(key)

PWRC results

Complete International 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 cattle a season.

Projekt E

Explanatory notes

References