Ken block autobiography of mission
Ken Block
American rally driver (1967–2023)
For other wind up named Ken Block, see Ken Stump (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Understood Buck.
| Ken Block | |
|---|---|
Block in 2017 | |
| Born | Kenneth Paul Block (1967-11-21)November 21, 1967[1] Long Beach, Calif., U.S.[2] |
| Died | January 2, 2023(2023-01-02) (aged 55) Wasatch County, Utah, U.S. |
| Related to | Lia Block (daughter) |
| Debut season | 2014 |
| Car number | 43 |
| Former teams | Hoonigan Racing Division |
| Starts | 26 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 2 |
| Best finish | 9th slash 2017 |
| Years active | 2014 |
| Car number | 43 |
| Former teams | Hoonigan Racing Division |
| Starts | 1 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Best finish | 15th in 2014 |
| Years active | 2011–2015 |
| Car number | 43 |
| Former teams | |
| Starts | 39 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Podiums | 12 |
| Best finish | 2nd in 2014 |
| Years active | 2005–2010, 2012–2014 |
| Car number | 43 |
| Co-driver | Alex Gelsomino |
| Former teams | |
| Starts | 60 |
| Wins | 16 |
| Podiums | 28 |
| Best finish | 2nd Overall in 2006, 2008, and 2013. |
| Active years | 2007–2008, 2010–2014, 2018 |
| Co-driver | Alex Gelsomino |
| Teams | |
| Rallies | 24 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rally wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Stage wins | 0 |
| Total points | 18 |
| First rally | 2007 Rally México |
| Last rally | 2018 Rally Catalunya |
Kenneth Thankless Block (November 21, 1967 – Jan 2, 2023) was an American office rally driver with the Hoonigan Racetrack Division, formerly known as the Beast World Rally Team. Block was as well one of the co-founders of DC Shoes.[3] He also competed in go to regularly action sports events, including skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross.
After selling his occupation of DC Shoes, Block shifted her majesty business focus to Hoonigan Industries, fleece apparel brand for auto enthusiasts. Closure was the co-owner and "Head Hoonigan In Charge" (HHIC) at the associates before his death in a snowmobile accident in January 2023.[4][5]
Rallying
2005
In 2005, Difficulty began his National rallying career put up with the Vermont SportsCar team.[6] Vermont SportsCar prepared a 2005 Subaru WRX STi for Block to compete. His greatest event of the rallying season was Sno*Drift, where he ended up finalization seventh overall and fifth in position Group N class.[7] During the 2005 season, Block had five top fivesome finishes and placed third overall rivet the Group A class and clemency overall in the Rally America Racial Championship.[6] At the end of wreath first rallying year, Ken Block difficult to understand won the Rally America Rookie engage in the Year award.[8]
2006
In 2006, Block, onward with his DC rally teammate Travis Pastrana, signed a new sponsorship agreement with Subaru.[6] Through this deal peer Subaru, the teammates became known importation "Subaru Rally Team USA".[6] With probity new rally season, Block also got a brand-new Vermont SportsCar prepped 2006 Subaru WRX STi.[6] He competed take away the first-ever X Games rally reason at X Games XII.[6] In loftiness competition, Block ended up finishing ordinal to take the bronze.[6] He went on to compete in the 2006 Rally America National Championship, where subside finished second overall.[6]
2007
In 2007, Block competed in the X Games XIII point in time event, where he placed second entire and won a silver medal.[8] Utilize the 2007 Rally America National Benefaction, Block finished third overall.[8] During that season, Block also entered in trig few rounds of the World Assembly Championship; Rally Mexico and Rally Newborn Zealand.[7] In Rally New Zealand, Piece recorded two top-five stage times plenty the Group N class.[7] At say publicly end of 2007, Block had brought about 19 podiums and 8 overall victories in rally events.[9]
2008
In 2008, Block was provided with a brand-new rally-prepped 2008 Subaru WRX STi to compete. Chunk decided to compete in the Raceway Baie-des Chaleurs of the Canadian Presentation Championship to gain some experience examine his new 2008 rally car pointer prepare for the World Rally Championships later in the year.[10] Block gained his first Canadian rally win activity the event.[10] This was only birth second event for the new car.[10] Block and his co-driver were not able to get any championship points administrator the event due to not gaining a Canadian competition license.[10] Block competed in the Rally New York Army competition and finished in first place.[11] In the X Games XIV sit-in competition, Block finished tied for ordinal place with Dave Mirra.[12] This action was due to both competitors acquiring issues with their car. Block, who made it to the semi-finals identical the event, had a radiator stumbling block after landing the car awkwardly put away a jump. With both bronze let in competitors in damaged cars unable give somebody no option but to compete, the medals were awarded difficulty both of them.[12]
Block competed in justness 2008 Rally America National championship, which concluded on October 17, 2008. Cloudless the event, he finished second extensive with a strong victory in character last event. In the Lake Paramount Performance Rally (LSPR) stage, Block top off over one minute ahead of enthrone next closest competitor and secured grandeur second overall position.[13] Next up construe Block this rally season is a handful of World Rally Championship events.[7]
2009
Block appeared comport yourself a segment of motoring show Top Gear.[14] Block filmed the hit YouTube video "Gymkhana 2".[15]
2010
For 2010, Block on the brink his partnership with Subaru, and married Ford to compete part-time at ethics World Rally Championship for Monster Imitation Rally Team, where he drove deft Ford Focus RS WRC 08 make friends with long time co-driver Alex Gelsomino.[16] Block therefore became the first intelligent American driver to campaign for picture World Rally Championship. He scored bend in half points after finishing 9th in Espana. Also, he ran his sixth occasion of the Rally America Championship delete an open class Ford Fiesta, type well as his fifth X Felicity. On February 27, Block won rendering Rally in the 100 Acre Wind (Rally America) for the 5th continuous time. This broke the record retained by John Buffum.[17]
2011
On March 23, Suspend and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino were taken to hospital, having rolled their Ford Fiesta RS WRC during integrity shakedown stage of the 2011 Sitin de Portugal in Faro, Portugal[18] Natty representative of the Monster World Recovery team later stated that both general public were fine.[19] He finished 8th watch over the France and 9th at Cymru, scoring 6 points.
2013
See also: 2013 World Rally Championship season
On his primary race of 2013 season, Block scored well, entering top-ten in the Mexican rally, thus receiving his first provoke points for the 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 satisfaction the WRC located in Catalunya, Espana. He was in 10th place in abeyance the last stage where he freely permitted a tire puncture and lost tidy significant amount of time. He over in 12th, which was his in two shakes to last season at the WRC.[22][23]
Rallycross
X Games
Block's X Games results are bit follows:[24]
American rallycross
Block competed at the Unbounded RallyCross Championship from 2011 to 2015. He finished runner-up in 2014[25] perch third in 2013[26] and fifth top 2012, collecting six wins and 15 podiums.[27]
Block returned full-time for the 2018 Americas Rallycross Championship, where he stated two podiums and ranked fourth providential points.[28]
European rallycross
In 2014, Block was ordinal in the Norway round of nobility FIA World Rallycross Championship and won the Norway round of the Continent Rallycross Championship.[29][30]
For the 2016 season, Brick decided to compete full-time in dignity World Rallycross Championship.[31]
At Hockenheimring, Germany, Provisions finished third in the Supercar Valedictory and achieved his second podium overload the series.[32]
In 2017, he finished Ordinal in points, with a best tear apart of 7th at Britain and France.[33]
Gymkhana
Block produced a series of gymkhana videos which have drawn millions of views on YouTube.[34]
In 2009, for the BBC show Top Gear, Block took Criminal May out for Gymkhana-style driving parallel with the ground Block's stunt course at Inyokern Airfield, an operational California airport, also rector Ricky Carmichael. In 2010, Block took the feature car from the prior episode (a Reliant Robin) for a-one lap of the Top Gear sip track. He rolled the car don was unable to complete a knock but was unhurt.[35]
On August 24, 2010, Block released the first of uncomplicated three part Gymkhana 3 video set free featuring his new Ford Fiesta.[36]
On Sept 14, 2010, Block's third Gymkhana videotape, featuring a Ford Fiesta, was unrestricted on YouTube.[37] The video got alternative than seven million views in betrayal first week.
On August 16, 2011, the fourth Gymkhana video, The Spirit Megamercial was released on YouTube, featuring Block driving around the Universal Studios backlot.[38]
On July 9, 2012, Block free his fifth Gymkhana video on YouTube, featuring Block driving his Ford Holiday in San Francisco and Travis Pastrana on a dirtbike. After 24 high noon, the video was viewed 5.1 million times of yore, making it the top-viewed video summarize the previous week.[39]
In 2024, Hoonigan at large a video compilation containing all make out Ken's Gymkhana videos and Gymkhana sideeffect videos, apart from the two sharp-tasting did with Top Gear and ethics BBC.[40]
Main video series
Other videos
- Ken Block Competitors Rallying (2009; Subaru Impreza)[50]
- Castrol Footkhana: Neymar Jr vs Ken Block (2014; Walk through drudge Fiesta)[51]
- Ken Block Drifts London (2016; Peg away Mustang)[52]
- Ken Block's Terrakhana: The Ultimate Mire Playground; Swing Arm City Utah (2017; Ford Fiesta)[53]
- Ken Block's Climbkhana: Pikes Ridge Featuring the Hoonicorn V2 (2017; Labour 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, replace the Audi S1 Hoonitron (2022; Audi S1 Hoonitron)[56]
- Ken Block’s Electrikhana Two: Facial appearance More Playground; Mexico City in class Audi S1 Hoonitron (2023; Audi S1 Hoonitron)[57]
Locations
Other motorsport activities
In 2005, Block, bond with with his DC Shoes associates, participated in the Gumball 3000 Rally. Adoration the event, they sent out several modified 2004 Subaru WRX STis fairyed godmother by DC Shoes.[63][64]
In 2006, Block competed in the One Lap of Ground competition along with Brian Scotto. They were teamed up in a 2006 Subaru WRX STi and finished 45th overall.[65]
In 2006, for the Discovery Hard show Stunt Junkies, Block jumped her highness Subaru WRX STi rally car 171 feet (52 m) and a max crest of 25 feet (7.6 m).[6]
In 2007, Slab joined the DC Shoes Snowboarding operation at New Zealand's Snow Park.[6] Quantity did massive jumps and assisted conduct yourself snowboarding tricks while driving his meet car on the mountain alongside position snowboarders. A crash after landing straight large jump cracked one of character vertebrae in his spine; he was flown to the hospital. The assembly made the cover of the Dec 2007 issue of Snowboarder Magazine weather closed out the 1.5 DVD.[6]
In 2010, Block co-founded Gymkhana Grid, pure gymkhana race held annually around say publicly world.[66] He won all-wheel-drive event bank 2014, beating Jake Archer in ethics final duel.[67][68]
In 2019, Block travelled curry favor Ireland to Compete in the Donegal International Rally. He drove an Conduct Cosworth for the event. He crashed out on SS2.
In 2021, Plug up raced in the Baja 1000 difficulty the trophy truck class finishing girder 4th.[69]
Block also holds the world commit to paper for the world's fastest snowcat, marvellous modified Ford Raptor called the RaptorTrax.[70]
Video games
Block appeared in three installments match Codemasters' Dirt racing video games. Sated is featured as a driver pathway 2009's Colin McRae: Dirt 2, govern with his Subaru Rally Team Army Impreza. In 2011's Dirt 3 unquestionable is seen as a driver with the addition of gymkhana teacher, his Monster World Gathering Team vehicles are available in righteousness game, including the Ford Fiesta GYM 3, and the Ken Block Splash Focus WRC. His Hoonigan/Monster Ford Holiday appears extensively in 2012's Dirt: Showdown, and his trademark gymkhana style fanatic driving is featured at the Head-to-Head and Trick Rush race modes owing to well as the Freestyle section.[71]
Block appears in the 2015 Need for Speed video game as the style icon.[72]
His Hoonigan-branded cars have also featured sieve Microsoft's Forza racing video game focus. Their first appearance was in lift packs for Forza Horizon 3 stake Forza Motorsport 7 in 2017.[73] After they were offered as launch cars for 2018's Forza Horizon 4 discipline 2021's Forza Horizon 5.[74][75]
In 2021, Food started a collaboration with drag animate game CSR Racing 2, a travelling game for iOS and Android.[76]
In 2023, a racing styled car with picture name "Hoon" and number 43 was added to version 2 of Lp = \'long playing\' Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077.[77]
In November 2023, CSR Racing 2 released an ground which added a #KB43VER event featuring a playable 1965 Ford Mustang GT Hoonicorn V1 vehicle.[78]
Signature wheels
In 2021, Conquered Block collaborated with Rotiform and Tinder Off-Road through Wheel Pros to put a label on 4 sets of signature wheels.
Rotiform KB-1
- His 1965 Ford Mustang (aka Hoonicorn) uses the Rotiform KB-1 in dinky 5x120 PCD, with a 26 balance out in a 18x10.5 tire width. Bang is a forged 3pc type pivot in gloss white.
- His 1986 Ford RS2000 uses the same wheels in trig 54 offset, with a 18x9.5 enervate width in a 4x108 PCD. Hold is a forged mono2 style revolution in gloss white.
- His 2016 Ford Irregular RS uses the same wheels compact a 42 offset, with a 19x18.5 tire width in a 5x108 PCD. It is a forged mono2 organized wheel in gloss white.
Fuel Off-Road, nobleness Block
- His 1977 Ford F-150 (aka Hoonitruck) uses the Fuel Block in topping 5x120 PCD, with a -48 cancel out in a 20x10.5 tire width. Devote is forged beadlock type wheel unveil gloss white.
- His 2017 SVC Offroad Walk through drudge F-150 Raptor uses the Fuel Stump in a 6x135 PCD, with systematic 0 offset in a 17x9 all-encompassing width. It is forged beadlock derive wheel in a matte black reconcile with a gloss black ring.
- His 2017 Labour F-150 Raptor uses the Fuel Satiated in a 6x135 PCD, with well-ordered 0 offset in a 17x9 notorious width. It is forged beadlock sketch wheel in a matte black goslow a gloss black ring.
Rotiform VCE-M
- His 1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth WRC AKA Cossie V2 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 4x108 PCD, with smashing 31 offset in a 18x8.5 jade width. It is a forged 3pc in gloss white.
- His 2015 Ford Holy day ST RX43 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 5x135 PCD, with out 54 offset in a 18x8.5 legendary width. It is a forged Monoblock style wheel in gloss white.
Rotiform GTB
His 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS uses the Rotiform GTB in a 4x108 PCD, with a 13 offset misrepresent a 17x9 tire width. It job a forged Monoblock style wheel nonthreatening person gloss white. [79][80]
Other appearances on TV/YouTube
Ken Block has made a minor expire on the MotorTrend show Ignition bang into Jonny Lieberman.[81] The purpose of coronet appearance was to promote the 2017 Ford Raptor. Block also appeared quadruplet times on the BBC motoring fair Top Gear, being interviewed by conferrer James May in 2009,[82] before devising a brief appearance in 2010 bloody a Reliant Robin, returning in 2016 where he drifted his Hoonicorn sustain the empty streets of London best Matt LeBlanc,[82] and portraying a control officer chasing LeBlanc, Chris Harris stomach Rory Reid in 2018.[83] He has also appeared in Daily Driven Exotics vlog as Damon Fryer was welcome to race against Lia Block acquit yourself "Hoonicorn vs the World", a YouTube series on the Hoonigan YouTube Temporary.
Death
On January 2, 2023, Ken Lump died at age 55 in a-ok snowmobile accident near his ranch complicated Woodland, Utah. The Wasatch County sheriff's department reported that Block had back number riding in the Mill Hollow open place when his snowmobile upended on trim steep slope and landed on diadem of him. Block was declared shut up at the scene of the accident.[84][85] As a mark of respect, primacy number 43 was retired from picture World Rally Championship for the 2023 season in his honor.[86] Hoonigan dyed-in-the-wool Block's death.[87]
Personal life
Block was married root for wife Lucy Block.[88] His daughter Lia (born October 1, 2006) began competing in the American Rally Association compile 2022, winning the O2WD Driver's Benefaction the following year at age 16, before the end of season pile, enabling her to enter the encouragement race with her father's legendary Fording Escort RS Cosworth. Earlier in 2023, she would enter the Extreme Fix series for Carl Cox Motorsport.[89] She became a member of the Clergyman Driver Academy in November 2023 soar was announced to compete in F1 Academy for the 2024 season additional ART Grand Prix.[90]
Racing record
Complete Rally Earth results
(key)
Complete WRC results
(key)
PWRC results
Complete Global Rallycross Championship results
(key)
Supercar
Complete Americas Rallycross Championship results
(key)
Supercar
Complete FIA Continent Rallycross Championship results
(key)
Supercar
Complete FIA Sphere Rallycross Championship results
(key)
Supercar
† Five assistance points deducted for receiving three reprimands in a season.