According to reports, Ken Block, a legendary rally racer, died on January 2 due to a snowmobile accident. According to reliable news sources.
He co-founded Hoonigan and established Gymkhana when he was 55 years old.
“It is with the utmost grief that we can confirm that Ken Block went away in a snowmobile accident today,” the company posted on Hoonigan’s official Instagram page.
Ken was a forerunner, an icon, and a pioneer in his field.
In addition to being a father and a husband, he was a wonderful human being who will be sorely missed.
In a post that was made on Facebook, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Department explained what caused the accident:
A snowmobile accident near Mill Hollow was reported in a call to the Wasatch County 911 Center on January 2, 2023, at around 2:00 pm.
Other responders included the Utah State Parks Police, the United States Forest Agency Search and Rescue service, and the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement.
As a result of the incident, he sustained injuries, and the attending medical staff pronounced him dead at the scene.
Mr. Block was in a group, but he was driving alone when the accident happened.
This is consistent with what Block said on January 2 in his Instagram stories, where he talked about riding some CanAm snowmobiles.
On the other side, his most recent social media post discussed a project he was engaged in with his 16-year-old daughter Lia.
Block was a prominent race car driver in the twenty-first century. He was named “Rally America’s Rookie of the Year” in 2005, his first rally season. Additionally, Block played a vital role in creating internet auto culture with his Gymkhana film series.
He created the Hoonigan brand and introduced rallying to a new audience in the United States. He taught a whole generation about the thrill of oversteering, elevating it to the position of superior force it holds today.
At American auto shows, it is not unlikely for you to come across a vehicle sporting a Hoonigan badge.
Block’s work and his “send it” approach affect the automobile industry and every facet of the business.
Action and extreme sports, which complement rallying’s craziness, have long been highly valued by the co-founder of the shoe company DC Shoes.
It may come as a surprise to realize that Block is one of the most influential people in the culture of the automotive industry.
After all, performing a double backflip on a BMX bike and conducting a Mach 1 while jogging through the woods cause an adrenaline rush.
Block pursued his passion for rallying and competed in the 2005 Rally America season in a Subaru WRX STI modified by Vermont SportsCar after selling DC Shoes to Quiksilver in 2004.
Block displayed his skill almost immediately, beginning his racing career with five results in the top five and a podium finish in the Group A category.
Block continued to race quickly on dirt in competitions such as Rally America, the World Rally Championship, and Global Rallycross.
As a result, he was instrumental in drawing large numbers of new spectators to the sport.
It may be argued that he is best known for his Gymkhana series, which was essential in the growth of internet auto culture, rather than his rallying.
Gymkhana Practice, released in 2008, had a relatively poor production value, but Gymkhana 2, released in 2009, got things rolling.
In a time when static images dominated most online car videos, Block made a lasting impression by driving his WRX STI in an utterly reckless manner through a warehouse.
The picture has now had over 53 million viewings and opened the path for a fantastic series of movies.
In addition to being an unbeatable force in Gymkhana, Block has also appeared in the video game series “Dirt,” on Top Gear, and in “Need for Speed: 2015.”
In addition, Block’s Hoonigan brand has become a phenomenon in its own right, helping to launch the careers of a lot of talented individuals.
Ken Block’s actions are primarily to blame for the status of car culture today.
Friends, coworkers, and fans have flooded social media sites with condolences and support throughout the evening.
I’m speechless. Another legend gone entirely too soon. Ken Block was an incredibly huge inspiration to myself and so many others in the car community. He will definitely be missed. #RIP #KenBlock pic.twitter.com/ItNvzV4F9A
— Gavin Trace Simon (@itsjusta6_) January 3, 2023