Rally and gymkhana icon Ken Block useless at 55

Ghymkana hero and rally driver Ken Block died on Monday dwelling life the one means he knew how—having enjoyable.

Block’s crew at Hoonigan confirmed via Instagram he died in a snowmobile accent on Jan. 2. Block was 55 years previous and is survived by his spouse and three youngsters. TMZ reported that the Wasatch County, Utah, sheriff’s workplace stated the accident occurred at about 2 p.m. when the snowmobile upended and landed on prime of Block. He was reportedly pronounced useless on the scene.

“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most significantly, a father and husband,” Hoonigan posted.

Hoonigan confirms Ken Block’s loss of life on Instagram

Co-founder of DC sneakers, Block took to skilled driving whereas working as a advertising and marketing govt for his firm. He attended Workforce O’Neil rally faculty on the age of 36 and have become enamored with the game. Block began racing full time in 2005.

Block created his first gymkhana video in 2008 and it instantly went viral. His newest gymkhana escapades noticed him behind the wheel of the custom-built electrical Audi S1 E-Tron Quattro Hoonitron for “Electrikhana.”

The Audi S1 E-Tron Quattro Hoonitron was constructed particularly for Block, who signed in on with Audi in 2021 to assist develop electrical automobiles for the German automaker. Block stated he was a serious Audi fan, however the partnership with the 4 Rings was made potential by Block’s unique relationship with Ford coming to an finish. Earlier than teaming up with Audi, Block returned to rallying with Subaru, which is the model that received him began together with his motorsports profession.

Block’s firm, Hoonigan, has grown right into a small empire. It merged with Wheel Execs in 2021.

Whereas he grew up skateboarding, snowboarding, and driving grime bikes, Block advised Motor Authority in 2016 he give up driving grime bikes as a result of he “had this cool race automotive profession.” He had loads of accidents from driving grime bikes and he was afraid to get injured. He nonetheless snowboarded rather a lot.

Block taught his 14-year-old daughter drive. She then instantly started to observe in her father’s footsteps and raced her father’s Hoonicorn towards a Hemi-powered Corvette drag automotive. Ken Block known as the automotive scary with as much as 1,400 hp.