Block takes on Pikes Peak

Ken Block's latest video pays homage to the original 'Climb dance' film of Ari Vatanen driving a Peugeot at the very ragged edge on the (then unsealed) route to the summit of Pikes Peak, America's infamous hill climb course.

But 27 years on, how do you leave a mark when there's now bitumen all the way to the top?

Block, not one for subtlety, has developed a vehicle he has named Hoonicorn V2. At some point it was a 1965 Ford Mustang, but now boasts all-wheel drive and a 1400bhp (1044kW) twin-turbo V8, for weaponised tyre-shredding. It can break traction on bitumen with essentially the same ease as Vatanen's Peugeot 405 T16 on gravel.

The video, named 'Climb Khana' was produced to promote the tyres on the car, Toyo Proxes R888R, which is now available in Australia. It's described by the manufacturer as a "road-legal race tyre" and can be ordered in sizes ranging from 13 to 20 inches.

“The Climbkhana teaser is a perfect showcase of the precise grip, stability and handling drivers can expect from the Proxes range of tyres," says Jose Angeles, Marketing and PR Manager for Toyo Tyres and Rubber Australia.

“Handling 1,400 horsepower on one of the world’s most dangerous drives and the extreme driving style of Ken Block, the Proxes R888R doesn’t flinch.”