Gymkhana star and web sensation Ken Block has handed away on the age of 55.
Ken Block – the person who popularized gymkhana, wowed tens of millions of viewers on YouTube and set rally levels alight – has sadly handed away. An announcement from his Hoonigan group learn:
“It’s with our deepest regrets that we will affirm that Ken Block handed away in a snowmobile accident as we speak.
“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most significantly, a father and husband. He will likely be extremely missed.”
It’s understood that Ken died whereas trying to ascend a steep slope, inflicting the snowmobile to upend and land on prime of him. As a consequence of his accidents, officers pronounced him useless on the scene.
Ken Block’s Early Profession
In fact, most of us will know Ken Block because the daring stunt driver who captivated YouTube audiences together with his high-stake movies. Or, by the Hoonigan model, which is the towering automotive titan that he leaves behind.
Nevertheless, Ken was greater than only a gun for rent behind the wheel. He started as an entrepreneur, main DC Sneakers to success earlier than ultimately promoting his shares to focus solely on driving.
His appearances within the FIA World Rally Championship and World RX Championship had been arguably his most high-profile ones, culminating in a pair of podiums in World RX. Extra domestically although, Ken would take pleasure in loads of victories on the US rallycross and rally scene through the years, in addition to a number of medals on the X Video games.
Gymkhana Icon
Throughout his lengthy tenure as one of many best-known efficiency drivers round, Ken represented only a few motoring manufacturers. Subaru was the place all of it started, nevertheless it was Ford that basically allowed him to unfold his wings, signing off on formidable tasks to create iconic automobiles just like the Hoonicorn, Hoonitruck, and lots of extra.
That relationship got here to an finish final 12 months although, when it was introduced that Audi could be fronting all of Ken’s future endeavours, including a brand new electrical twist, and loads of funds. The consequence was a sometimes spectacular video shot below the lights of Vegas, through which Ken wrestles the 1400hp ‘S1 Hoonitron’ round Sin Metropolis.
It’s price remembering too that Ken was a household man. His daughter Lia had just lately began showing with him on the Hoonigan YouTube channel, and it’s identified that Ken was enthusiastic about serving to her obtain her personal successes on the planet of rallycross.
Ken Block and Quick Automotive’s paths have crossed many occasions through the years, from having him carry out at TRAX to interviewing him in Paris in 2010. We would know him greatest for his gymkhana movies, however he was a lot greater than a proficient wheelman. He was an entrepreneur, a pioneer, an envoy for our tradition, however most of all, he was bloody pretty man, a father and a husband, who’s going to be massively missed.
Everybody right here at Quick Automotive sends their deepest sympathies to Ken’s family and friends. He’ll eternally be an icon.
The Greatest Of Ken Block Gymkhana
