Remember the term "Drift King" from the 2006 blockbuster ‘The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”? The renowned American professional rally driver Ken Block is justifying this title for a long time. The partnership between Ken Block’s Hoonigan Racing Division and Ford Performance broke up in 2021 and grabbed several eyeballs. However, the same eyeballs (and a few more) were there on the brainchild of Hoonigan Racing Division and Pikes Peak-winning Porsche builder BBi Autosport – Porsche SVRSR Hoonipigasus.

With this beast of a car, Ken Block and BBi Autosport had aimed to create history in the PPO (Pikes Peak Open) class and register a victory at the 100th edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. However, this time, the destiny was not with Ken Block’s fortunes, and the Porsche SVRSR Hoonipigasus engine blew off even before the qualifying round. After the unfortunate event, Ken Block decided to pull off from the event and promised to return with the next edition of the event slated in 2023. So, what all went wrong against Ken Block’s strategies? We find out.

Related: Who Was Ken Block Before Gymkhana?

The Backstory Of Ken Block's Hoonipigasus

Ken Block Hoonipigasus Track Test Featured Image
via Hoonigan YouTube Channel

For writing a chapter in the history of motorsports, Hoonigan Racing Division and Porsche experts from BBi Autosport – founder Betim Berisha and driver Tanner Foust – joined hands to create Porsche SVRSR Hoonipigasus. Berisha and Porsches have had a long association in the past, as he has worked for Porsche Motorsports, and that association proved to be fruitful for the development of Hoonipigasus.

Ken Block Hoonipegasus Porsche Pikes Peak 3
via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

Hoonigan Racing Division and BBi Autosport began working on a vintage Porsche 911, which received a heavy re-engineering process. The car features a wide-body exterior originally designed by Oil Stain Lab, and the engine got repositioned from the rear to the middle. To make this car an epitome in aerodynamics, fluid dynamics expert Verus Engineering got roped in.

As a result, the car received excellent alterations like adjustable winglets for aero balance, a bespoke rear diffuser, vortex generators behind the front wheels, a massive V2X rear wing, and slick Toyo tires. The car also features a complex airflow conditioner similar to F1 cars. A majority of the body panels are made of carbon fiber, as a result of which it weighs extremely low at just 2,205 lb.

The Hoonipigasus carries a shade of pink, which pays a tribute to the Porsche 917/20 ‘Pink Pig’ car from the 1971 Le Mans. Created by Trouble Andrew, a street artist from Canada, this livery features a Pegasus emblem to denote the association with Mobil 1. All these elements led to the name of the car ‘Hoonipigasus’, which is a mash-up of Hoonigan, the Pink Pig, and the Pegasus logo of Mobil 1.

Related: Here's How Ken Block Amassed His $200 Million Net Worth

Ken Block Hoonipegasus Porsche Pikes Peak 6
via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

The original four-cylinder engine of the car got replaced by a 4.0-liter straight-six engine, which came from a 2017 Porsche GT3 R. The powertrain received some heavy modifications, including twin turbochargers and twin 50mm waste-gates from Garret Motorsport. It also got three injectors – one direct injection and two-port injection – per cylinder, Obsidian Motorsport electronics calibration, and KSV Looms bespoke harness. The result of all these changes is a staggering power output of 1,400 hp. The engine here has a 6-speed manual gearbox from SADEV paired, which transfers power to all four wheels. Apart from the gearbox, SADEV also developed a transfer case and front differential for this car.

Apart from the engine, the car also features extensive rework to its original chassis. Developed by Scarbo Performance, the chassis includes a double A-arm pushrod suspension with K.W. Automotive four-way dampers. The suspension system uses real-time GPS data and telemetry. The halting power comes from PFC brakes with forged lightweight calipers and carbon-ceramic lightweight rotors. The car’s dynamic prowess gets further enhanced by aspects like twin Motect ECU, power distribution module from Bosch Motorsport, and engine management and electronics package from Obsidian Motorsport Group.

What Really Went Wrong With The Hoonipigasus

Porsche SVRSR Hoonipigasus Pikes Peak race car
Via Ken Block

In one of the practice sessions prior to the qualifying round, in the middle of the 12.42-mile long Pikes Peak mountain road, the Porsche racing engine of the heavily-modified Hoonipigasus dropped a valve, thus causing major damage to the engine block.

In one of his Twitter posts, Ken Block mentioned that this damage proved irreparable, despite both the teams trying their best to repair the engine block. For the task, Ken Block even got some sophisticated parts and a top motorsport tech team from California flown for the rescue. Ken Block also said that they did not have a spare block for the Porsche race engine, which could have otherwise eased the rescue operation a bit. All the attempts went in vain, as a result of which both Hoonigan Racing Division and BBi Autosport missed out on participating in the qualifying round.

The journey of Ken Block and Hoonipigasus has come to an end in the 2022 edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb racing event. However, both are now eying a comeback in the 2023 Edition of the event. For that, we just hope that Hoonipigasus makes a grand return in an even feistier avatar.