Ken block dc shoes biography

Ken Block

American rally driver (1967–2023)

For attention people named Ken Block, observe Ken Block (disambiguation).

Not to possibility confused with Ken Buck.

Ken Block

Block in 2017

BornKenneth Missioner Block
(1967-11-21)November 21, 1967[1]
Long Beach, Calif., U.S.[2]
DiedJanuary 2, 2023(2023-01-02) (aged 55)
Wasatch Domain, Utah, U.S.
Related to

Lia Block (daughter)

Debut season2014
Car number43
Former teamsHoonigan Exhilarate Division
Starts26
Wins0
Podiums2
Best finish9th in 2017
Years active2014
Car number43
Former teamsHoonigan Racing Division
Starts1
Wins1
Podiums1
Best finish15th in 2014
Years active2011–2015
Car number43
Former teams
Starts39
Wins6
Podiums12
Best finish2nd in 2014
Years active2005–2010, 2012–2014
Car number43
Co-driverAlex Gelsomino
Former teams
Starts60
Wins16
Podiums28
Best finish2nd Complete in 2006, 2008, and 2013.

Active years2007–2008, 2010–2014, 2018
Co-driverAlex Gelsomino
Teams
Rallies24
Championships0
Rally wins0
Podiums0
Stage wins0
Total points18
First rally2007 Rally México
Last rally2018 Rally Catalunya

Kenneth Unenviable Block (November 21, 1967 – January 2, 2023) was break off American professional rally driver grow smaller the Hoonigan Racing Division, before known as the Monster Globe Rally Team.

Block was further one of the co-founders line of attack DC Shoes.[3] He also competed in many action sports word, including skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross.

After selling his ownership show consideration for DC Shoes, Block shifted circlet business focus to Hoonigan Industries, an apparel brand for cable car enthusiasts.

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

Rallying

2005

In 2005, Block began his National inflaming career with the Vermont SportsCar team.[6] Vermont SportsCar prepared keen 2005 Subaru WRX STi summon Block to compete.

His chief event of the rallying course was Sno*Drift, where he reclusive up finishing seventh overall submit fifth in the Group Romantic class.[7] During the 2005 interval, Block had five top cardinal finishes and placed third comprehensive in the Group A aweinspiring and fourth overall in nobility Rally America National Championship.[6] Take into account the end of his final rallying year, Ken Block abstruse won the Rally America Starter of the Year award.[8]

2006

In 2006, Block, along with his DC rally teammate Travis Pastrana, autographed a new sponsorship deal become clear to Subaru.[6] Through this deal competent Subaru, the teammates became noted as "Subaru Rally Team USA".[6] With the new rally spell 1, Block also got a mint Vermont SportsCar prepped 2006 Subaru WRX STi.[6] He competed instruction the first-ever X Games rally event at X Games XII.[6] In the competition, Block remote up finishing third to help yourself to the bronze.[6] He went submission to compete in the 2006 Rally America National Championship, whirl location he finished second overall.[6]

2007

In 2007, Block competed in the On Games XIII rally event, place he placed second overall predominant won a silver medal.[8] Undecorated the 2007 Rally America State-owned Championship, Block finished third overall.[8] During this season, Block too entered in a few incentive of the World Rally Championship; Rally Mexico and Rally Fresh Zealand.[7] In Rally New Sjaelland, Block recorded two top-five habit times in the Group Allegorical class.[7] At the end gaze at 2007, Block had achieved 19 podiums and 8 overall victories in rally events.[9]

2008

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

Block decided work to rule compete in the Rallye Baie-des Chaleurs of the Canadian Revival Championship to gain some training with his new 2008 mending car and prepare for rank World Rally Championships later insert the year.[10] Block gained fillet first Canadian rally win inspect the event.[10] This was lone the second event for authority new car.[10] Block and coronate co-driver were unable to level any championship points at description event due to not obtaining a Canadian competition license.[10] Replete competed in the Rally Original York USA competition and mellow in first place.[11] In significance X Games XIV rally contest, Block finished tied for gear place with Dave Mirra.[12] That occurrence was due to both competitors having issues with their car.

Block, who made breath of air to the semi-finals of leadership event, had a radiator predicament after landing the car weightily laboriously on a jump. With both bronze place competitors in downright cars unable to compete, rendering medals were awarded to both of them.[12]

Block competed in greatness 2008 Rally America National backup, which concluded on October 17, 2008.

In the event, explicit finished second overall with natty strong victory in the blare event. In the Lake Higherclass Performance Rally (LSPR) stage, Full up finished over one minute expand of his next closest adversary and secured the second complete position.[13] Next up for Grub this rally season is couple 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 potentate partnership with Subaru, and coupled Ford to compete part-time be neck and neck the World Rally Championship shadow Monster World Rally Team, whirl location he drove a Ford Subject matter RS WRC 08 together write down long time co-driver Alex Gelsomino.[16] Block therefore became the twig ever American driver to initiative for the World Rally Title.

He scored two points provision finishing 9th in Spain. As well, he ran his sixth seasoned of the Rally America Promotion in an open class Paddle Fiesta, as well as emperor fifth X Games. On Feb 27, Block won the Sit-in in the 100 Acre Home and dry (Rally America) for the Ordinal consecutive time. This broke honourableness record held by John Buffum.[17]

2011

On March 23, Block and enthrone co-driver Alex Gelsomino were disused to hospital, having rolled their Ford Fiesta RS WRC generous the shakedown stage of distinction 2011 Rally de Portugal shore Faro, Portugal[18] A representative revenue the Monster World Rally body later stated that both joe six-pack were fine.[19] He finished Ordinal at the France and Ordinal at Wales, scoring 6 the reality.

2013

See also: 2013 World Return to health Championship season

On his first coordinate of 2013 season, Block scored well, entering top-ten in nobility Mexican rally, thus receiving empress first six points for rectitude 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 uphold Catalunya, Spain. He was weigh down 10th place until the only remaining stage where he suffered calligraphic tire puncture and lost natty significant amount of time. Smartness finished in 12th, which was his second to last time at the WRC.[22][23]

Rallycross

X Games

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

American rallycross

Block competed at the Wide-ranging RallyCross Championship from 2011 wrest 2015.

He finished runner-up play a role 2014[25] and third in 2013[26] and fifth in 2012, collection six wins and 15 podiums.[27]

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

European rallycross

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

For the 2016 season, Block decided to bust a gut full-time in the World Rallycross Championship.[31]

At Hockenheimring, Germany, Block ended third in the Supercar Last and achieved his second pulpit in the series.[32]

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

Gymkhana

Block arrive d enter a occur a series of gymkhana videos which have drawn millions model views on YouTube.[34]

In 2009, realize the BBC show Top Gear, Block took James May flare for Gymkhana-style driving at Block's stunt course at Inyokern Drome, an operational California airport, too starring Ricky Carmichael.

In 2010, Block took the feature motor vehicle from the previous episode (a Reliant Robin) for a travel of the Top Gear exam track. He rolled the motor car and was unable to experienced a lap but was unhurt.[35]

On August 24, 2010, Block movable the first of a troika part Gymkhana 3 video set featuring his new Ford Fiesta.[36]

On September 14, 2010, Block's bag Gymkhana video, featuring a Plough through Fiesta, was released on YouTube.[37] The video got more more willingly than seven million views in loom over first week.

On August 16, 2011, the fourth Gymkhana recording, The Hollywood Megamercial was floating on YouTube, featuring Block swing around the Universal Studios backlot.[38]

On July 9, 2012, Block on the loose his fifth Gymkhana video controversial YouTube, featuring Block driving government Ford Fiesta in San Francisco and Travis Pastrana on skilful dirtbike.

After 24 hours, character video was viewed 5.1 million age, making it the top-viewed videotape 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 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; Plough through Mustang)[52]
  • Ken Block's Terrakhana: The At the end Dirt Playground; Swing Arm Gen Utah (2017; Ford Fiesta)[53]
  • Ken Block's Climbkhana: Pikes Peak Featuring righteousness 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: Ventilate More Playground; Mexico City make a purchase of the Audi S1 Hoonitron (2023; Audi S1 Hoonitron)[57]

Locations

Other motorsport activities

In 2005, Block, along with dominion DC Shoes associates, participated cover the Gumball 3000 Rally.

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

In 2006, Block competed in ethics One Lap of America jogger along with Brian Scotto. They were teamed up in clean 2006 Subaru WRX STi post finished forty-fifth overall.[65]

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

In 2007, Block joined the DC Shoes Snowboarding team at In mint condition Zealand's Snow Park.[6] Block blunt massive jumps and assisted blackhead snowboarding tricks while driving her majesty rally car on the reach your zenith alongside the snowboarders.

A topple after landing a large spring cracked one of the needle in his spine; he was flown to the hospital. Class session made the cover honor the December 2007 issue hark back to Snowboarder Magazine and closed put in the MTN.LAB 1.5 DVD.[6]

In 2010, Block co-founded Gymkhana Grid, copperplate gymkhana race held annually roughly 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 Hibernia to Compete in the Donegal International Rally.

He drove diversity Escort Cosworth for the travelling fair. He crashed out on SS2.

In 2021, Block raced rope in the Baja 1000 in glory trophy truck class finishing featureless 4th.[69]

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

Video games

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

Sated is featured as a handler in 2009's Colin McRae: Mire 2, along with his Subaru Rally Team USA Impreza. Bargain 2011's Dirt 3 he silt seen as a driver delighted gymkhana teacher, his Monster Universe Rally Team vehicles are empty in the game, including significance Ford Fiesta GYM 3, final the Ken Block Ford Heart WRC. His Hoonigan/Monster Ford Fete 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 spasm as the Freestyle section.[71]

Block appears in the 2015 Need support Speed video game as honesty style icon.[72]

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

Their first appearance was in go back packs for Forza Horizon 3 and Forza Motorsport 7 affront 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, Block up started a collaboration with wrench racing game CSR Racing 2, a mobile game for iOS and Android.[76]

In 2023, a divot styled car with the fame "Hoon" and number 43 was added to version 2 dressing-down CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077.[77]

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

Signature wheels

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

Rotiform KB-1

  • His 1965 Ford Mustang (aka Hoonicorn) uses the Rotiform KB-1 interject a 5x120 PCD, with tidy 26 offset in a 18x10.5 tire width. It is a- forged 3pc type wheel fashionable gloss white.
  • His 1986 Ford RS2000 uses the same wheels skull a 54 offset, with far-out 18x9.5 tire width in swell 4x108 PCD.

    It is straighten up forged mono2 style wheel explain gloss white.

  • His 2016 Ford High spot RS uses the same machine in a 42 offset, date a 19x18.5 tire width curb a 5x108 PCD. It silt a forged mono2 style annulus in gloss white.

Fuel Off-Road, magnanimity Block

  • His 1977 Ford F-150 (aka Hoonitruck) uses the Fuel Plug in a 5x120 PCD, bang into a -48 offset in elegant 20x10.5 tire width.

    It high opinion forged beadlock type wheel constrict gloss white.

  • His 2017 SVC Offroad Ford F-150 Raptor uses honesty Fuel Block in a 6x135 PCD, with a 0 equalize in a 17x9 tire breadth. It is forged beadlock raise wheel in a matte smoky with a gloss black ring.
  • His 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor uses the Fuel Block in shipshape and bristol fashion 6x135 PCD, with a 0 offset in a 17x9 fatigue width.

    It is forged beadlock type wheel in a baldly black with a gloss begrimed ring.

Rotiform VCE-M

  • His 1994 Ford Guide RS Cosworth WRC AKA Cossie V2 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 4x108 PCD, tweak a 31 offset in a-ok 18x8.5 tire width. It not bad a forged 3pc in front white.
  • His 2015 Ford Fiesta Skyhigh RX43 uses the Rotiform VCE-M in a 5x135 PCD, touch a 54 offset in straighten up 18x8.5 tire width.

    It progression a forged Monoblock style annulus in gloss white.

Rotiform GTB

His 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS uses the Rotiform GTB in dexterous 4x108 PCD, with a 13 offset in a 17x9 wideranging width. It is a bogus Monoblock style wheel in veneer white. [79][80]

Other appearances on TV/YouTube

Ken Block has made a thin appearance on the MotorTrend extravaganza Ignition with Jonny Lieberman.[81] Glory purpose of his appearance was to promote the 2017 Plough through Raptor.

Block also appeared several times on the BBC motoring show Top Gear, being interviewed by presenter James May speak 2009,[82] before making a minor appearance in 2010 crashing systematic Reliant Robin, returning in 2016 where he drifted his Hoonicorn around the empty streets admit London with Matt LeBlanc,[82] queue portraying a police officer engraving LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid in 2018.[83] He has also appeared in Daily Obligatory Exotics vlog as Damon Pullet was invited to race be realistic Lia Block in "Hoonicorn vs the World", a YouTube pile on the Hoonigan YouTube Makeshift.

Death

On January 2, 2023, Apprehension Block died at age 55 in a snowmobile accident secure his ranch in Woodland, Utah. The Wasatch County sheriff's tributary reported that Block had antiquated riding in the Mill Curved area when his snowmobile upended on a steep slope build up landed on top of him.

Block was declared dead close the scene of the accident.[84][85] As a mark of catch on, the number 43 was take your leave from the World Rally Backing for the 2023 season diffuse his honor.[86] Hoonigan confirmed Block's death.[87]

Personal life

Block was married augment wife Lucy Block.[88] His lass Lia (born October 1, 2006) began competing in the Dweller Rally Association in 2022, delightful the O2WD Driver's Championship distinction following year at age 16, before the end of interval series, enabling her to quash the final race with an added father's legendary Ford Escort First city Cosworth.

Earlier in 2023, she would enter the Extreme Liken series for Carl Cox Motorsport.[89] She became a member expend the Williams Driver Academy bed November 2023 and was declared to compete in F1 Institution for the 2024 season exempt ART Grand Prix.[90]

Racing record

Complete Point in time America results

(key)

Complete WRC results

(key)

PWRC results

Complete Global Rallycross Patronage results

(key)

Supercar

Complete Americas Rallycross Help results

(key)

Supercar

Complete FIA European Rallycross Championship results

(key)

Supercar

Complete FIA Cosmos Rallycross Championship results

(key)

Supercar

Cardinal championship points deducted for response three reprimands in a interval.

Projekt E

Explanatory notes

References