Preview: Ken Block set to release Gymkhana Two video on June 1
Ken Block's new Subaru WRX STI - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Ken Block, co-founder of DC Shoes and extreme sports junkie, has only been driving rally cars for a few short years, but is already one of the most recognizable and successful drivers in the Rally America series. He was named rookie of the year in 2005, and won five rallies in the 2008 season. Much of Block's fame, however is due to what he's done with his Subaru rally car off the course, including jumping it 171 feet for Discovery Channel's Stunt Junkies and launching it off a snow-covered mountain for the cover of Snowboarder magazine. Most recently, Block became a YouTube sensation with the Gymkhana Practice video with millions witnessing his impressive car control on the El Toro airfield.
The first Gymkhana (pronounced jim-kah-nuh) video was such a success that Block decided to do a sequel in a new location and with an all-new car. The video will officially launch on DC Shoes' web site on June 1, but we were lucky enough to get a sneak preview yesterday at an exclusive press event at the Port of Los Angeles where Gymkhana Two was filmed. Block was on hand to give out rides in the his WRX STI custom built by Crawford Performance just for the video, and needless to say, there was plenty of tire smoke and passengers grinning from ear to ear. While you'll have to wait just a few more days for the video, we took a slew of photos at the preview for your viewing enjoyment and we've posted a video after the break detailing the build of Block's new STI.
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stumpy 1:04PM (5/27/2009)
He is AMAZING!
Reply
parkergc8 1:05PM (5/27/2009)
Be nice to roll around in that dough.
Reply
Sea Urchin 1:05PM (5/27/2009)
I just LOVE this car, it has everything one wants, looks, practicality, price, speed, MPGs. Subaru is a real winner, i hope they will expend in USA.
Reply
mapoftazifosho 1:20PM (5/27/2009)
Well, at least I will have something fun to watch while GM goes bankrupt on June 1. Isn't it great that GM sold their 35% stake in Fuji Heavy Industries...that money really helped set their crap branding strategies straight...
As much as I love GM and defend them, sometimes I just have to throw some hate their way...
Reply
Will 1:23PM (5/27/2009)
Go Ken go. Can't wait to see GP 2.0.
Reply
hoosker_doo 2:16PM (5/27/2009)
Same, can't wait to see him tear it up in the new STI
Will 1:25PM (5/27/2009)
holy smoke
Reply
Bobmarley 1:28PM (5/27/2009)
I'd love to see Arnold Schwarzenegger say "Gymkhana"..."get out of da choppah!!!"
lol
Reply
Kitko 1:48PM (5/27/2009)
Question: How many cuts and edits are there in a typical Block's video? In other words, how many attempts does it take to make a perfect movie?
I ask this out of curiosity, not to doubt Block's driving, he's pretty amazing, certainly in North America. Still, I don't think he would cut it big time in World Rally Championship. Otherwise he'd be there already.
Reply
Sandok 2:50PM (5/27/2009)
Quite a few when looking back at the first Gymkhana... He's a good driver but nothing compared to the WRC drivers.
Why aren't there actually any Americans in the WRC? Battle of the continents!!!
hipsterpotomous 8:23PM (5/27/2009)
Ken talks about how many takes it took here http://www.0-60mag.com/online/?p=10300
XavierBlak 1:52PM (5/27/2009)
Do it in one take and then I'll be impressed.
I'm sorry to be negative but this guy fairly low on the talent scale and has only done well for himself in rallying because he has the money and sponsors to finance nice equipment.
Reply
Jason 3:16PM (5/27/2009)
YOU do it in one take, then I'll be impressed.
Rev 4:54PM (5/27/2009)
Do it in one take or a hundred: good luck finding anybody to care enough to bother watching your vid...
Anson Chappell 5:43PM (5/27/2009)
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/racing/0905_ken_block_subaru_rally_racing/index.html
A great article on Mr. Block from Automobile Magazine.
Reply
Aloysius Vampa 8:00PM (5/27/2009)
Whatever. Ken Block is amazing.
Reply