Rally legend, Hoonigan founder Ken Block dies aged 55
Published on Jan 03, 2023 at 12:27 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jan 16, 2023 at 10:49 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Rally icon and Hoonigan founder Ken Block has been killed in a snowmobile accident near Woodland, Utah.
The Hoonigan team took to social media to confirm the death of the 55-year-old rally legend.
READ MORE: Watch Ken Block thrash the $100K Ram 1500 TRX Sandblast Edition in the desert
Ken Block began his rallying career in the early 2000s, winning the Rally America Rookie of the Year award in 2005.
He made his WRC debut in 2007 at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRX.
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An all-around athlete, Block also competed in skateboarding, snowboarding and motocross.
However, he created his true masterpiece in the late 2000s, with the Hoonigan YouTube channel showcasing Ken Block’s mythological Gymkhana skills.
Ken Block’s ‘Gymkhana’
After selling his ownership of DC Shoes in the late 2000s, Block began focusing on his Gymkhana YouTube channels.
In the Gymkhana, Block performed insane tricks using his car – usually a Ford or a Subaru.
Drifting, 180 degree spins, figure 8s – you name it.
Block’s Hoonigan YouTube channel amassed millions of views.
In 2019, Ken Block appeared on the Supercar Blondie’s channel to talk about his career and his crazy tricks.
In 2021, Block partnered up with Audi to create something called the ‘Electrikhana’.
Electrikhana was basically the same as Gymkhana, but with an electric car.
The car in question was a 1,400-hp Audi dubbed the ‘S1 Hoonitron’.
The legacy of Ken Block
A true ‘gearhead’ and natural-born entertainer, Ken Block’s skills remain unmatched.
Thousands of fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts following the news of Block’s death.
AR12Gaming wrote on Twitter: “Ken was a trailblazer for his scene and there will never be anyone quite like him”.
Audi photographer Auditya Venkatesh said: “Thank you for bringing a sense of speed and excitement to a whole generation”.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
