Vale Ken Block

Ken Block, the man who inspired an entire generation of car enthusiasts thanks to his larger-than-life take on motorsport, has died in a snowmobile accident near his home in Utah. He was 55.

While he was best known for his Gymkhana video specials that garnered tens of millions of views, Block also competed in rally and rallycross at the highest levels of the sport.

Block also parlayed his business acumen into growing a media empire that will serve as his legacy in the years to come.

One of two founders of DC Shoes, Block made his first fortune selling the business to Quiksilver in 2004.

A renowned snowboarder, his passion for motorsport soon spiked, dragging the then-uncool Subaru brand into the US enthusiast spotlight with the jaw-dropping 2011 video Gymkhana 1, created for DC.

The world hadn’t seen anything like it, and Block’s star was on the rise.

Block brought considerable business acumen to his motorsport efforts, forging relationships with emerging automotive brands like Toyo and Pennzoil, who would support his ever-expanding ideas all the way through his career.

In parallel, the Hoonigan brand – named in honour of Australia’s use of the word ‘hoon’ to designate wilful automotive disobedience – was formed to service the growing base of sponsors… and to sell merchandise to eager fans right around the world.

Despite his devil-may-care attitude behind the wheel, Block was not always comfortable in the limelight that accompanied his Gymkhana success, preferring instead to let his right foot do the talking.

His Gymkhana videos became ever more intricate and involved – and more spectacular. His star power facilitated the closure of some of the busiest thoroughfares in the world, including the Las Vegas strip for the last of the Gymkhana films to star Block, called Electrikhana.

Sadly, Australian red tape prevented Block from fulfilling a plan to film a Gymkhana film on our shores. He did drive a V8 Supercar, trading his Ford Focus rallycross machine with Mark Winterbottom at an event in Melbourne.

After long stints supported by Subaru and Ford, Block regained his automotive independence at the start of 2021, allowing him to partner with Audi for the creation of the $20m S1 Hoonitron electric car, as well as rallying a current-spec Hyundai i20 WRC car in the US national rally championship.

A last-round crash prevented Block from claiming what would have been his first and last ever national title in a sport that he devoted the last decade and a half to. Indeed, both his wife Lucy and daughter Lia competed alongside Ken in the 2022 season.

Block’s influence on a generation of car enthusiasts cannot be downplayed, and his sudden and shocking death will leave an indelible mark on many.

However, his legacy lives online for all to see, and for others to be inspired by.

Block is survived by his wife Lucy, eldest daughter Lia and two other children.