Rally driver Ken Block died in a snowmobile accident Monday. He was 55.
Hoonigan Industries, the company Block founded, announced his death on Twitter.
"It's with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today. Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed."
Block had posted video footage on Instagram earlier in the week of snowmobiling in Park City, Utah. According to the Wasatch County (Utah) Sheriff's Office, "(Block) was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended, landing on top of him. He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident. Mr. Block was riding with a group but was alone when the accident occurred."
Block's Gymkhana video series and other subsequent Hoonigan productions made him an icon of automotive culture, and indeed transcended it. "Drifting" wouldn't be as well known in the mainstream public without him. They showed his ability to make cars do incredible things; drifting, jumping, spinning and more. His drive up Pikes Peak sliding his modified Mustang almost over the edge of a cliff is an image that will stick in the minds of so many.
His most recent Gymkhana video, "Gymkhana 2022," has already amassed 12 million views in three weeks. And beyond his videos, Block even appeared in video games, becoming a key part of the "Dirt" series of rally racing games from Codemasters and "Need for Speed" from EA and Ghost Games. "Need for Speed [2015]" included him as one of the racing icons you need to impress and meet in the story mode.
The cars Block built and drove also helped cement his place in automotive history. He started the Gymkhana series with rally-prepped Subarus and then Fords. But later on, Block had custom rides built, most famous of which was his all-wheel-drive first-generation Mustang named "Hoonicorn." It started off with just a hot naturally aspirated V8, but later got a pair of turbos and a monstrous 1,400 horsepower. It was later joined by a twin-turbo V6-powered Ford F-Series pickup truck called "Hoonitruck." This year, he was supposed to run a custom 1,400-horsepower Porsche 911 ("Hoonipigasus") from BBi Motorsports in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, but engine troubles prevented him from racing it. He even started to drive EVs, with a completely custom Audi used for a recent Gymkhana in Las Vegas.
Block didn't just do racing for style, but competed professionally. He won 16 of 60 Rally America races from 2005 to 2014 and earned five medals at the X Games. He even briefly competed in WRC, the highest level of rally racing in the world. In addition to rally driving, Block also competed in skateboarding and motocross. He earned a spot on the podium three consecutive years at the X Games from 2006 to 2008 in Rallycross.
Remembrances are pouring in from all over for this fixture of automotive fun, such as these from fellow rally and stunt driver Travis Pastrana, who is also participating in his own Gymkhana videos.
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Multiple Formula 1 championship winner Lewis Hamilton shared his thoughts in an Instagram story saying:
"I've been mostly off social media to focus on my health and well being. Today I received news of the loss of a dear friend. I am devastated to hear of Ken Block's passing. He was such an amazing person, always lived life to the fullest. I remember our first time working together and how positive he was. So much talent behind the wheel. Years ago we had an amazing time heli-skiing and snowboarding in Canada. We held so much respect for one another. He will truly be missed and my thoughts and prayers go to his beautiful family. Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Ken"
Block is survived by his wife, Lucy, and three children. His daughter Lia was becoming more involved in cars and motorsport with appearances on the Hoonigan YouTube channel learning to drift in a Fox Body Mustang and racing the Hoonicorn Mustang in the group's "This vs. That" drag racing series. She was also working on an Audi Quattro coupe resto-mod that has been documented on Block's personal YouTube channel.
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