WATCH: Ken Block’s best moments on video
From DC Shoes boss to Drift King, we take a look at stunt driver and rally legend Ken Block’s most memorable momentsWith the untimely departure of US motorsport hero Ken Block this week, we take a look back at some of his most memorable moments.
It all started in 2008 with a heavily modified Subaru WRX STI in the first low-budget Gymkhana video but it wasn't until 2012, driving an almost rally-spec Ford Fiesta, that saw Block achieve global automotive stardom.
His more recent foray saw ultra-high-performance electrification and there's no doubting the WRC racer and talented stunt driver was a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel.
Here's our five favourite Ken Block Gymkhana videos:
Gymkhana 5: San Francisco
Arguably the category that put Block on the global motorsport map was Gymkhana – a series of high-powered, throttle-happy, sideways fun behind the wheel of highly modified, yet (mostly) attainable vehicles.
Throughout the 10-episode YouTube series which began in 2008, the DC Shoes co-founder is seen ripping through the streets of popular destinations across the world, including San Francisco, Dubai and France.
For many, episode five – filmed over four days on the streets of California – is the most memorable.
It sees Block wrestle his wild Ford Fiesta ST around the ‘Ultimate Urban Playground’, featuring a series of intricate chicanes, high-stake stunts – some of which involve motocross legend Travis Pastrana – and even a bit of airtime.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
In more recent years, the American rally legend got behind the wheel of a souped-up one-off version of the full-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E – a vehicle not as accessible to the masses, sure, but very cool nonetheless.
Built by Ford Performance and RTR Vehicles, the 1400hp prototype Mach-E is kitted out with a whopping seven electric motors (three up front and four at the rear), a full roll cage and a host of aerodynamic enhancements.
Electrikhana: Las Vegas
Even wilder than the Mach-E was Block’s ‘Electrikhana’ series featuring the ‘Hoonitron’, which was a futuristic take on the drift king’s beloved Gymkhana series.
At the helm of his latest machine – the all-wheel drive, twin-motor Audi S1 Hoonitron – Block reportedly destroyed more than 25 sets of tyres during the filming of his first Electrikhana film on the closed streets of Las Vegas.
With superb camera angles and production quality to match Block’s outrageous talent behind the wheel, the wicked-looking Hoonitron can be seen ripping through bellowing smoke, sling-shotting down the Strip and into a hotel foyer, and even getting a bit of the Hoonigan’s signature airtime.
Hoonicorn skids
Another epic video that arose from Block’s infatuation with (for lack of a better term) hooning emerged from his 1400hp Ford Mustang dubbed the Hoonicorn V2.
The video in question is a send-off of sorts to mark the end of Block’s decade-long partnership with Ford, ahead of his move to Audi.
Either way, Block discusses how the Hoonicorn ’Stang came to life and the production woes that went into its Gymkhana cameos, before he lets the high-powered pony car loose one final time.
Gymkhana 10: The Ultimate Tire Slaying Tour
Last, but certainly not least, is the 10th episode in The Gymkhana Files, delivering the best of Block’s skids, J-turns, slides, jumps and bootleg turns in some of his most iconic machines.
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