Born in California in November 1967, Ken Block is a rally driver who had a unique start in the automotive world and has “drifted” his way into the hearts of gearheads all over the world – becoming an internet sensation while at it. Starting as a draftman for an architecture firm in California, Ken Block later decided to actively pursue his love for action sports, entering into rally racing as a driver.
Block found little success in racing, however, his real break came when he began filming his gymkhana stunt driving. An immensely awesome stunt driver, Block’s life has since become a collection of several great episodes of iconic tire-shredding drift moments. Ken Block has become a massive household name in the automotive world, and here is his life in a nutshell.
10 Built A Successful Startup
Ken Block had begun designing equipment for niche stores in Colorado that catered to professional athletes when he met Damon Way, brother of renowned skateboarder Danny Way. Both of them started a couple of businesses that didn't work out well, but they persisted and founded DC shoes in 1994.
To achieve this, Block had to borrow $10,000 from his parents. Danny Way also helped publicize the brand, and soon enough, it gained credence in the professional athletes' circle. In 2004, they proceeded to sell the startup for $87 million.
9 Rally Rookie Award
In 2005, Ken Block entered the National Rally scene on the books of the Vermont SportsCar team. He debuted in the Sno*Drift event, where he finished 5th in the Group N class and 7th overall.
At the end of the 2005 season, Block had garnered five top-five finishes and was 4th overall in the National Rally Championship. He went on to win the rookie of the year award. Block’s best finish to date came in 2006, where he grabbed the second overall spot.
8 Serial Competitor
Block has competed professionally in several action sports, ranging from Gumball Rally, One Lap of America, Rally America, and even the World Rally Championship and World Rallycross Championship. He has also competed in other action sports events such as snowboarding and Motocross. He even owns a snowboarding park in Utah named DC Mountain Lab.
The stunt driver has acquired five medals at X games events, along with multiple podium finishes. In 2014, Block missed out on the gold medal by only 5 points, coming a close second.
7 Gymkhana Series
As of January 2008, Ken Block was a relatively unknown rally race driver, but all that would change in the months following the release of his first video featuring Gymkhana practice. Block’s Gymkhana videos show him in heavily modified rally-spec all-wheel-drive cars, exhibiting numerous tire-burning stunts in front of the camera.
The Gymkhana series is the apex of driving excesses which until the last edition saw Block perform jumps, drifts, slides, and other incredible stunts through a succession of barricades.
6 YouTube Sensation
Back in the day, racers would have to win several international races to be recognized worldwide. Fast-forward to Ken Block, who hasn't won any, but is one of the most recognizable racers around – thanks to the videos of his amazing stunt driving skills.
The latest of his video series, Gymkhana 2020, has already hit over 30 million views on YouTube alone, however, he actually let Travis Pastrana take the wheel in that episode. Factor in his other videos as well as his over 6 million combined subscribers on the video streaming platform, then his popularity is understandable.
5 Heads Hoonigan
In 2010, Ken Block partnered with Ford to forge a motorsport brand after his image to participate in the World Rally Championship – The Monster World Rally Team. In 2012, It was renamed the Hoonigan Racing Division. Although the team did not enjoy a lot of success on the racing tracks, it was commercially successful.
Apart from competing in rallies, the company has branched into making merchandise for automotive enthusiasts. Block is co-owner and self-acclaimed “Head Hoonigan in Charge.”
4 Featured In Video Games
Developed by Codemasters, Colin McRae Dirt is a popular racing video game named after the legendary Colin McRae. In Colin McRae: Dirt 2, Block is featured as a driver along with Subaru Rally Team USA Impreza. In Dirt 3, he appears as a gymkhana teacher and a driver, with his Ford Fiesta Open Class and the Ford Fiesta RS Rally Car available.
In yet another of the game’s series, Dirt: Showdown, Block's Hoonigan plays a prominent role in the Trick Rush, Freestyle, and Head to Head modes.
3 Hoonicorn
Many heavily modified and hyper-powered cars have graced Block's Gymkhana videos since the show debuted in 2008. However, the vehicle that stands neck and shoulder above the rest has to be the 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2. The car, commonly referred to as the Hoonicorn, was the star of Gymkhana 7.
Powered by a Roush Yates 410 Cubic inch V8 engine, the car was modified to feature Garret Twin Turbos, resulting in a 1,400 horsepower capacity. With Ford and Block going their separate ways in January 2021, many believe that the Block-Hoonicorn romance is over.
2 Prodigy
When Ken Block's daughter Lia turned 13, her dad taught her how to drive a stick in a 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 Rs. Lia is a natural; the fact that she could do doughnuts within such a short period and with a fractured arm was all the more impressive.
On her 14th birthday, her dad gifted her a full day's driving session with professional drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. Her overall composure and learning speed show that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
1 Car Collection
If you are into performing car stunts, it is only logical that you'd have a garage full of cars to suit the purpose. Block's garage does not disappoint, as it is filled with some powerful and exciting cars.
Some of the eye-catching rides in his Utah-based garage include the 1986 Ford RS200, with over 700 horsepower on pump gas, and the 2013 Ford F-150 RaptorTRAX, which holds the title of the world's fastest snowcat.