The former WRC hero will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues for being a maverick, an inventor, a rally champion and above all a devoted father.
The horrific death of WRC star and YouTube legend Ken Block was confirmed on Monday and shocked the motorsport community.
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How did Ken Block die?
Ken Block, a champion rally driver and action athlete, reportedly passed away on Monday at the age of 55 as a result of a terrible snowmobile accident in Utah. Block is believed to have been killed when the snowmobile he was riding overturned and fell on top of him as he descended a steep hill in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains around 2 p.m. Monday. was traveling alone when the incident occurred. Unfortunately, due to the damage he had sustained in the collision, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Everyone at Autosport is saddened to learn that WRC, Hoonigan, WRX and X Games legend Ken Block has passed away at the age of 55.
We all extend our thoughts and condolences to his family and friends at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/jD6rZigmEQ
— Autosport (@autosport) January 3, 2023
In fact, Block had recently returned from Idaho, where he was caught on camera performing acrobatics on a brand new, more powerful snowmobile. The Hoonigan co-founder even acknowledged how much the car’s power had surprised him. “It was my first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing rips! Lots of high altitude power up and wheelies all day long! Epic early season powder and a great first day. Wheelies, deep power turns and lots of learning on this new sled – good times!
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Hoonigan confirms Ken Block’s death
Although Block’s association with Hoonigan Racing Division began as a driver and team, his relationship with the company changed as the years passed and the driver eventually joined the management group. It was a connection that would put Block’s name at the forefront of American protests. Unsurprisingly, the news of his passing caused the organization great sadness. Hoonigan released a statement on Monday that was shared on Instagram. “It is with our deepest regret that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away today in a snowmobile accident.” Hoonigan said in a statement on Instagram Monday. “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most of all, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.”
Who was Ken Block?
Born November 21, 1967 in California, Block grew up with racing in his blood. Despite the fact that he would later join Hoonigan Racing Division as a professional rally driver, it may have been some of his other ventures that gained even more notoriety. A co-founder of DC Shoes, Block has competed in many other action sports such as motocross, snowboarding and skateboarding.
But it is likely that Gymkhana was the context in which you first heard Ken Block’s name. Modeled by the equestrian competition of the same name, the sport featured a challenging obstacle course that Block would masterfully complete in his now-famous Ford Fiesta. The videos were broadcast on Top Gear, a very popular BBC show, and received millions of views on YouTube.
The rally star would go on to produce 10 parts of the program and to this day motorsport enthusiasts still regard them as mythical figures. Block’s wife Lucy and their three children are left behind.
Driver and YouTube star Ken Block dies in a snowmobile accident
A snowmobile tragedy claimed the life of action sports pioneer Ken Block on Monday at the age of 55. Block also co-founded DC Shoes and Hoonigan Racing.
The death was initially reported by Hoonigan on social media. Block was riding a snowmobile near his home in Utah at 2 p.m. when he attempted to drive up a steep hill, causing the vehicle to fall back on top of him, according to the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office. There he was pronounced dead by the authorities.
“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and a husband,” Hoonigan wrote in the statement. “He will be incredibly missed.”
In 1994, Block co-founded DC Shoes, a well-known skateboard and shoe company. Through clever sponsorship deals and athlete endorsements, Block helped the company become a global success.
He became better known as a rally car superstar after selling the company for $87 million in 2004 and winning 16 national championships from 2005 to 2014.
In addition, he took home five medals from the X Games, scoring points in the World Rally Championship. Block competed in motocross and skateboarding, but his social media posts about his auto aviation made him famous.
His YouTube channel, which has over 1.95 million subscribers, attributes its success to the rise of motor racing fans in the United States. A few hours prior to the disaster, Block had posted on social media about the significant snowfall at his Utah ranch, saying “hell yeah!” over an Instagram photo of snowmobiles.
This is what some mornings on my ranch in Utah look like this time of year: Newly covered in snow! Luckily we have the Ski-doo sleds, @CanAm Mavericks (one on tracks!) and Defender, and the Kubota machines to dig us out and maintain the site. pic.twitter.com/LXJG1A6yPr
— Ken Block (@kblock43) December 29, 2022
Tributes to the icon poured in across its platforms on Tuesday morning.
“Ken was a real idol and inspiration to me, he got me into rallying. […] I’ve never been hit so hard by someone’s death.” wrote Facebook user Troy Dawson.
Dave Smith, a YouTube commentator wrote: “I never understood the appeal of extreme sports until I saw one of his videos. He was the draw.”
The success of Block’s family in rally racing is sure to continue his fame. His daughter Lia, now 16, has been racing for Hoonigan Racing since she was 11 years old, and this year his wife Lucy made her all-wheel drive rally debut.
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