Ken Block, American rally driver, Died at 55

Kenneth Paul Block: The Racing Maestro

Kenneth Paul Block, born on November 21, 1967, was a highly accomplished American professional rally driver celebrated for his exhilarating performances. His illustrious career was studded with remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions to the motorsports realm. Sadly, he met an untimely demise in a snowmobile accident in January 2023, yet his legacy continues to inspire racing enthusiasts globally.

Early Years and Initiation into Racing

Kenneth Paul Block, popularly known as Ken Block, harbored a passion for speed from a tender age. He gained recognition as a versatile athlete, participating in an array of action sports, encompassing skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross. However, it was in the domain of rallying that his brilliance truly shone.

The Rallying Journey

Ken Block's journey into rallying commenced in 2005 when he joined forces with the Vermont Sports Car team. They readied a 2005 Subaru WRX STi for Block, marking the genesis of his national rallying career. He made his debut at Sno*Drift, where he exhibited his potential by securing seventh place overall and fifth in the Group N class.

Throughout the 2005 season, Block's talent sparkled as he achieved five top-five finishes, culminating in third place overall in the Group A class and fourth place overall in the Rally America National Championship. His stellar debut season earned him the prestigious title of Rally America Rookie of the Year.

In the subsequent year, 2006, Block and his teammate Travis Pastrana inked a sponsorship deal with Subaru, becoming the distinguished "Subaru Rally Team USA." Block continued to impress, participating in the inaugural X Games rally event at X Games XII and clinching a bronze medal. He also secured second place overall in the 2006 Rally America National Championship.

In 2007, Block took part in X Games XIII, achieving a silver medal, and perpetuated his performance in the Rally America National Championship, where he finished third overall. Additionally, he made forays into the international stage, competing in World Rally Championship events like Rally Mexico and Rally New Zealand.

By the end of 2007, Ken Block had garnered an impressive record of 19 podiums and 8 overall victories in various rally events.

In 2008, Block received a brand-new 2008 Subaru WRX STi, using it to compete in the Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs of the Canadian Rally Championship, securing his inaugural Canadian rally triumph. He later participated in the Rally New York USA competition, finishing in first place. Block also partook in X Games XIV, tying for third place due to issues with his car.

Continuing his rally trajectory, Block competed in the 2008 Rally America National Championship, concluding second overall with a spectacular victory in the final event. His performance in the Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR) stage was particularly noteworthy, securing the second overall position.

In 2009, Block made an appearance in a segment of the renowned motoring show Top Gear, solidifying his status as a racing icon. He also filmed the acclaimed "Gymkhana 2" YouTube video, which garnered significant attention.

2010 witnessed a pivotal shift in Block's career as he bid adieu to Subaru and joined Ford. He entered the World Rally Championship as part of the Monster World Rally Team, steering a Ford Focus RS WRC 08 alongside his long-time co-driver Alex Gelsomino. This groundbreaking move made him the first American driver to campaign for the World Rally Championship. Additionally, Block continued his participation in the Rally America Championship and the X Games.

In 2011, Block triumphed at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood (Rally America) for the fifth consecutive time, eclipsing a record held by John Buffum. However, during the 2011 Rally de Portugal in Faro, Portugal, Block and Gelsomino rolled their Ford Fiesta RS WRC, necessitating a hospital visit. Fortunately, both emerged unharmed.

Block's consistent performance persisted in 2013, where he earned his initial six points for the championship during the Mexican rally, achieving an impressive 7th overall finish.

In 2014, Block's sponsor Castrol made a comeback. He participated in the WRC located in Catalunya, Spain, finishing 12th. Despite this being his second-to-last season at the WRC, his impact was enduring.

Rallycross Exploits

Ken Block's prowess extended to rallycross, where he exhibited exceptional skill in numerous competitions.

At the X Games, Block secured the following results:

2006: 3rd place (Bronze)

2007: 2nd place (Silver)

2008: 3rd place (Bronze)

2009: 7th place

2010:

Rally Racing: 10th place

RallyCross: 7th place

2011:

Rally Racing: 11th place

RallyCross: 13th place

2012: 2nd place (Silver)

2013:

Foz do Iguaçu: 8th place

Munich: 2nd place (Silver)

Los Angeles: 6th place

2014: 12th place

2015: 11th place

In American rallycross, Block vied in the Global RallyCross Championship from 2011 to 2015. He emerged as the runner-up in 2014 and secured third place in 2013, accompanied by multiple victories and podium placements.

Block made a full-time return for the 2018 Americas Rallycross Championship, achieving two podiums and securing the fourth position in points.

In the realm of European rallycross, Block claimed third place in the Norway round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and clinched victory in the Norway round of the European Rallycross Championship in 2014.

Gymkhana Stunts

Ken Block's Gymkhana videos took the YouTube world by storm, captivating millions of viewers. His daring stunts and precision driving left audiences enthralled globally.

In 2009, Block featured in a segment of the acclaimed BBC show Top Gear, where he showcased his Gymkhana-style driving on his stunt course at Inyokern Airport in California, alongside James May and Ricky Carmichael.

Block's Gymkhana series, which commenced with Gymkhana 2, continued to captivate audiences with each release. The videos featured Block navigating various challenging courses in his high-performance vehicles with incredible skill and panache.

Ken Block's passion for racing and his exceptional contributions to motorsports will forever be etched in memory. His legacy lives on through his inspirational performances and the lasting impact he made on the world of rallying and rallycross.