(November 21, 1967 – January 2, 2023) he was an American professional rally driver for the Hoonigan Racing Division, formerly known as the Monster World Rally Team. Block was also a co-founder of DC Shoes. He also competed in a number of action sports events, including skateboarding, snowboarding and motocross.
After selling his ownership stake in DC Shoes, Block moved his business to Hoonigan Industries, a clothing brand for car enthusiasts. He was co-owner of the company and „Head Hoonigan In Charge” (HHIC) before he died in a snowmobile accident in January 2023.
Professional rally racer and YouTube star Ken Block died in a snowmobile accident on Monday, the Hoonigan Racing team announced. The man was 55 years old. „Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon, and most importantly, a father and husband,” said a statement from Hoonigan Racing. „He will be incredibly missed. Please respect the family’s privacy during this time while they grieve”. CNN writes.
Block began his national rally racing career in 2005 with the Vermont SportsCar team. Vermont SportsCar prepared a 2005 Subaru WRX STi for Block to race. His first race of the rally season was the Sno*Drift, where he finished seventh overall. During the 2005 season, Block scored top-five finishes, finishing third overall in Group A and fourth in the Rally America National Championship. At the end of his first year of rallying, Ken Block won the Rally America Rookie of the Year award.
In 2008, Block finished in a tie for third place with Dave Mirra at the X Games XIV rally.
In 2009, Block appeared in a segment of the Top Gear motoring show. Block filmed the YouTube video „Gymkhana 2”. This was the start of his YouTube career that made him famous all over the world. In his videos, he performed very spectacular and dangerous stunts.
Ken Block once appeared on MotorTrend Ignition with Jonny Lieberman to promote the 2017 Ford Raptor. Block has also appeared four times on the BBC’s Top Gear motoring show, interviewing presenter James May in 2009, before crashing a Reliant Robin for a brief appearance in 2010. He returned in 2016, where he joined Matt LeBlanc in drifting his Hoonicorn through the empty streets of London, and in 2018 he chased LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid as a policeman.
Block has also appeared in three episodes of Codemasters ‘ racing video games like Dirt. Block also stars as a driver, in 2009’s Colin McRae: Dirt 2, alongside Subaru Rally Team USA’s Impreza. He can also be seen as a driver and gymkhana instructor in 2011’s Dirt 3, and Monster World Rally Team vehicles are available in the game, including the Ford Fiesta GYM 3 and Ken Block’s Ford Focus WRC. His Hoonigan/Monster Ford Fiesta also features heavily in 2012’s Dirt: Showdown, and his trademark gymkhana driving style is featured in Head-to-Head and Trick Rush racing modes, as well as the Freestyle section.