Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Hot For Words</i> investigates Ken Block's Gymkhana]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/video-hot-for-words-investigates-ken-blocks-gymkhana/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/video-hot-for-words-investigates-ken-blocks-gymkhana/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/video-hot-for-words-investigates-ken-blocks-gymkhana/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hot For Words host Marina - Click above to watch the video

Can you believe it's been one solid year since we first saw Ken Block's eye-popping, mind-numbing, death-defying Gymkhana video? How time flies when you're hooning it at 11/10s.To celebrate this monumental moment in the history of car-related YouTubeage, DC Shoes (Mr. Block's extreme sports clothing company) has gone ahead and put together an "investigation" into the whole Gymkhana phenomenon. And if you can get past (or get into, take your pick) Marina's highly modified assets, the video's loaded with some good stuff.

For instance, Block never intended to start a cult of Gymkhana. He'd built up a 530 hp Subaru WRX to compete in a Gymkhana event that was canceled leaving Ken with a car but no race. And get this -- over 24,000,000 people have watched the original Gymkhana video -- that's more folks than have watch all of Harmony Korine's last three movies, times two! And if you don't like this video, hop on over to 0-60mag.com, where they've not only got the Hot For Words clip, but a full seven pages of Ken Block/Gymkhana related footage. One hoon to rule them all indeed. Full video, after the jump.

[Source: 0-60mag.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Hot For Words investigates Ken Block's Gymkhana

VIDEO: Hot For Words investigates Ken Block's Gymkhana originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DC ShoesDcShoesGymkhanaHot for WordsHotForWordsKen BlockKenBlockSubaru WRXSubaruWrxThu, 12 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/video-travis-pastrana-does-tricks-on-dc-shoe-bike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/video-travis-pastrana-does-tricks-on-dc-shoe-bike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/video-travis-pastrana-does-tricks-on-dc-shoe-bike/#commentsFiled under: ,

Travis Pastrana's DC Shoe Bike - Click above to watch the video after the break

When we first stumbled upon this video from the fertile minds at DC Shoes - think Travis Pastrana and Ken Block - we asked ourselves the only logical question we could muster: What the heck is a Shoe Bike? Turns out that it's exactly what you'd expect - that is, if you'd ever expect such a thing to exist at all, but we digress. Travis Pastrana's Shoe Bike is a motocross machine that's had its wheels replaced with rolling hoops made from DC Shoes.

As you might expect, Pastrana has some crazy things in mind for the Shoe Bike... not the least of which are plenty of insane jumps many riders would never attempt even with standard rolling stock, sustained wheelies and burnouts. Right, with shoes instead of tires. Backflips? Sure, why not. This is Travis Pastrana after all. See for yourself in the video pasted after the break.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike

VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc shoesDcShoesken blockKenBlockpastranashoe bikeShoeBiketravis pastranatravis pastrana shoe bikeTravisPastranaTravisPastranaShoeBikeWed, 04 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/video-gymkhana-2-1-electric-boogaloo-block-vs-dyrdek/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/video-gymkhana-2-1-electric-boogaloo-block-vs-dyrdek/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/video-gymkhana-2-1-electric-boogaloo-block-vs-dyrdek/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Gymkhana 2.1 - Block vs. Dyrdek - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Driftmeister Extraordinaire Ken Block is at it again, only this time, with a bit more of a sense of humor on display. The tire-immolating Subaru WRX STI rally driver has teamed up with pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek for a "Me and My Shadow" video extravaganza dubbed Gymkhana 2.1.

While we have to admit that the finished product isn't filled with as many jaw-slackeningly awesome moments as the pair of videos that proceeded it, it's an amusing coquet while we wait for Gymkhana 3.0, a film that will presumably involve a borrowed space shuttle, a runway full of banana peels, and at least one octogenarian goat herder. The 3:49 production is worth watching just for Dyrdek's custom "Mini Me" go-kart, which we want parked in our lawnmower shed yesterday. Enjoy watching the video after the jump, and be sure to check out the slightly less-than high-res images in the gallery below. Hat tips to Adam and Christian!


Gallery: Gymkhana 2.1 - Block vs. Dyrdek


[Source: DC Shoes]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek

VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>D.C. ShoesD.c.ShoesDC ShoesDcShoesdriftingKen BlockKenBlockrallyRob DyrdekRobDyrdekSTISubaru STISubaru WRXSubaru WRX STISubaruStiSubaruWrxSubaruWrxStiWRX STIWrxStiFri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ken Block works it out on <i>Top Gear</i> with Captain Slow in tow]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/video-ken-block-works-it-out-on-i-top-gear-i-with-captain-slow-in-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/video-ken-block-works-it-out-on-i-top-gear-i-with-captain-slow-in-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/video-ken-block-works-it-out-on-i-top-gear-i-with-captain-slow-in-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

If there had been awards handed out to the preeminent forces in online automotive video over the past few years, surely Top Gear and rallyist Ken Block would have been shortlisted for the honor. Naturally, you'd expect that pairing the two Internet institutions would result in an amazing bit of film... and you'd be entirely correct.

What follows in the video posted after the jump is 6 minutes and 45 seconds of gobsmacking automotive artistry and top-flight production, with Block's 380-horsepower Subaru WRX STI drilling in and around an airport in California with a bug-eyed James May cinched into the passenger seat. Did we mention the appearance of Ricky Carmichael, perhaps the winningest motocross racer of all time? Click through the jump to witness the gorgeously controlled display of mechanical mayhem. Hat tip to absolutely everybody!

[Source: Top Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ken Block works it out on Top Gear with Captain Slow in tow

VIDEO: Ken Block works it out on Top Gear with Captain Slow in tow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captain slowCaptainSlowD.C. ShoesD.c.ShoesDC ShoesDcShoesjames mayJamesMayKen BlockKenBlockRicky CarmichaelRickyCarmichaelSTISubaruSubaru STISubaru WRXSubaru WRX STISubaruStiSubaruWrxSubaruWrxStitop gearTopGearWRX STIWrxStiMon, 06 Jul 2009 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: Ken Block set to release Gymkhana Two video on June 1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/preview-ken-block-set-to-release-gymkhana-two-video-on-june-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/preview-ken-block-set-to-release-gymkhana-two-video-on-june-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/preview-ken-block-set-to-release-gymkhana-two-video-on-june-1/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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.


Gallery: Ken Block's Gymkhana Two Project Preview


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Preview: Ken Block set to release Gymkhana Two video on June 1

Preview: Ken Block set to release Gymkhana Two video on June 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 May 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Crawford PerformanceCrawfordPerformanceDC ShoesDcShoesGymkhanaKen BlockKen Block GymkhanaKen Block Gymkhana Two ProjectKen Block Subaru WRX STIKenBlockKenBlockGymkhanaKenBlockGymkhanaTwoProjectKenBlockSubaruWrxStiWed, 27 May 2009 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: DC Shoes teases Ken Block's new gymkhana Subaru WRX STI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/video-dc-shoes-teases-ken-blocks-new-gymkhana-subaru-wrx-sti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/video-dc-shoes-teases-ken-blocks-new-gymkhana-subaru-wrx-sti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/video-dc-shoes-teases-ken-blocks-new-gymkhana-subaru-wrx-sti/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ken Block's new Gymkhana STI - Click above to jump to the teaser video

Autocross enthusiasts claim their form of motorsport is the most challenging in all of auto-dom. But chasing pylons around a parking lot is nothing compared to Gymkhana. Sometimes referred to as the "car rodeo", Gymkhana is practiced (in the same way that a marshall art is "practiced") in Japan, the UK, South Africa and right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. The idea is essentially the same as autocross, but with some drifting, turn-on-a-dime pivots and J-turns thrown in for good measure. It's what Subaru Rally Team USA driver and DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block, the new name behind the Dirt video game franchise, uses to keep sharp in between rally stages.

The car Block currently uses is a fire-breathing monster. Starting life as a previous-generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Block's Gymkhana car was originally prepared for the 2005 Gumball 3000 with 426 horsepower and adjustable suspension, then retuned for One Lap of America 2006 before being thoroughly revamped, complete with 529 hp Crawford rally engine, for rodeo duty in 2007. But for this year's circuit, Ken's got his crew working on an all-new beast. We'll have to wait until June 1 for all the details, but to keep out appetites whet, DC has released a teaser video, which we've posted for you after the jump. Thanks to Khanh for the tip!

Continue reading VIDEO: DC Shoes teases Ken Block's new gymkhana Subaru WRX STI

VIDEO: DC Shoes teases Ken Block's new gymkhana Subaru WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blockcrawfordcrawford performanceCrawfordPerformancedc shoesDcShoesgymkhanaken blockKenBlockSTIsubarusubaru imprezasubaru impreza wrxsubaru impreza wrx stisubaru stiSubaru TechnicaSubaruImprezaSubaruImprezaWrxSubaruImprezaWrxStiSubaruStiSubaruTechnicaThu, 14 May 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Major air - Ken Block and his flying Subaru]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/24/video-major-air-ken-block-and-his-flying-subaru/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/24/video-major-air-ken-block-and-his-flying-subaru/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/24/video-major-air-ken-block-and-his-flying-subaru/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click above to view video after jump

Thumbing through the last issue of 0-60, one of the car-guyiest car mags around, I turned the page and saw an image that stopped me cold. Mother of pearl, a Subaru rally car flying through the air at a snowboard park. How is that even possible? We've all seen imagery of airborne rally cars, but the cruising altitude is usually just a couple feet. These shots depict serious flight. General Lee, Bo and Luke Duke flight. $150,000 worth of machinery being treated as the Greatest. Snowmobile. Evar.

It turns out 0-60 contributor and driver extrodinaire Ken Block was behind the wheel of that car, flying off jumps intended for snowboarders with 3,000 pounds of machinery as part of the shoot for the DC Shoes production MTN.LAB 1.5. Hit the jump for more, and to see some of the jaw-dropping video.

[Source: 0-60]

Continue reading VIDEO: Major air - Ken Block and his flying Subaru

VIDEO: Major air - Ken Block and his flying Subaru originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blockdcdc shoesDcShoeskenken blockKenBlockmtn.labshoessnowboardsubaruvideoThu, 24 Jan 2008 22:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Gumball 3000 Impreza STi now in civilian hands]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/gumball-3000-impreza-sti-now-in-civilian-hands/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/gumball-3000-impreza-sti-now-in-civilian-hands/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/gumball-3000-impreza-sti-now-in-civilian-hands/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dave Senders with the DC Shoes Gumball 3000 Impreza STi

Dave Senders of Boulder, CO is one lucky dude. Through a joint promotion run by Hot Import Nights and DC Shoes, Dave has been crowned the winner of the blue-and-orange DC Shoes Subaru Impreza WRX STi that was driven in the Gumball 3000 rally by pro skater Rob Dyrdek.

The custom Impreza is valued at $65,000 and is outfitted with (among other things) a JDM Impreza STi Spec C body kit and the camo wrap and graphics from the Gumball. Inside, a full suite of A/V upgrades is ready to entertain driver and passengers alike, while a 425-horsepower boxer that 's good for 180 miles per hour resides underhood. The full list of mods can be found after the jump, but the highlights of the engine work are the Crawford Performance S2 motor and CP32 turbo kit.

In addition to the car, Dave gets VIP status for every Hot Import Nights event. As if rolling up to one in a 425-horse Impreza wouldn't have gotten him the swank treatment already. Color us blue (and orange) with envy.

(Press release, car specs after the jump)

[Source: Hot Import Nights]

Continue reading Gumball 3000 Impreza STi now in civilian hands

Gumball 3000 Impreza STi now in civilian hands originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave sendersDaveSendersdc shoesDcShoesgumball rallyGumballRallyHINhot import nightsHotImportNightsThu, 14 Dec 2006 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[CLS55 AMG by Ai Design]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/cls55-amg-by-ai-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/cls55-amg-by-ai-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/cls55-amg-by-ai-design/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ai Designs has been making a name for themselves over the past few years, customizing everything from 'Sclades to Skylines for a select clientele. When DC Shoes co-founder, Ken Block, decided his CLS55 AMG was too pedestrian in the performance and appearance department, the New York-based customizing firm got a call.

On the outside, the CLS got the in-vogue matte black treatment, while the chrome trimmings were bathed in a shiny piano black. A full body kit, including front bumper, side skirts, carbon fiber grill and spoiler were all sourced from Merc uber-tuner Brabus and Ai contracted a jeweler to create a custom DC logo that adorns the trunk lid.

The vented hood allows passersby to peer into the engine bay and get an eyeful of the AMG muscle that lurks underneath. Not content to leave the powerplant alone, Ai again tapped Brabus to provide their K8 engine kit, which, with the addition of a less restrictive exhaust, brings power output up to 575 HP.

A Brabus electronically controlled suspension module drops the CLS overtop 20-inch Radenergie R10 rollers, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber and 15-inch discs are under the pressure of eight-piston Brembos.

Inside, the Merc gets a custom slathering of interior materials, including a DC logo emblazoned onto the head rests. A Valentine One radar detector is hardwired, with the display etched into the rearview mirror.

The end result is incredibly trick, substantially quick and downright menacing. In short, we like.

(More pics after the jump.)

Continue reading CLS55 AMG by Ai Design

CLS55 AMG by Ai Design originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ai designAiDesignAMGcls55 AMGCls55Amgdc shoesDcShoesken blockKenBlockmercedes benzMercedesBenzTue, 07 Nov 2006 11:03:00 EST