How did WRC & YouTube star Ken Block die?
Maverick, innovator, rally star and above all a family man, the former WRC star will be greatly missed by his family, friends and peers.
The motorsports world was rocked by sad news on Monday, with reports confirming the tragic death of WRC star and YouTube icon, Ken Block.
Ken Block dies in snowmobile accident
According to reports on Monday, rally car driving champion and action sports star Ken Block has died at the age of 55 following a terrible snowmobile accident in Utah. It is understood, that Block was traversing a steep slope in the mountains of Utah’s Wasatch County at around 2:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon, when the snowmobile he was riding overturned and landed on top of him. Though Block is said to have been riding with a group of people, he was alone at the time of the incident. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the injuries that he sustained in the accident.
Incidentally, it was just last week that Block had been in Idaho where he was seen - in photos/videos - performing stunts on a new and more powerful snowmobile. Indeed, the co-founder of Hoonigan even admitted how much the power of the vehicle had surprised him. “It was my first day on my new ‘23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing rips! Lots of power up at high elevations, and wheelies all day! Epic early season powder, and an amazing first day. Wheelies, deep power turns, and a lot of learning on this new sled – good times!”
Hoonigan confirms Ken Block’s death
Though his association with Hoonigan Racing Division was initially one of driver and team, Block’s involvement with the brand would shift gears as years past with the driver eventually becoming part of its management team. It was a relationship that would bring Block’s name to the forefront of rallying in the United States. As one can imagine, the organization was deeply saddened by the news of his passing. “It’s with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today,” Hoonigan said in a statement on posted to Instagram on Monday. “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.”
Who was Ken Block?
Born in California on November 21st, 1967, Block had racing in his blood from the earliest of days. Though he would eventually join Hoonigan Racing Division as a professional rally driver, it was perhaps some of his other endeavors that caught even more attention. Co-founder of DC Shoes, Block also competed in many other action sports including skateboarding, snowboarding and motocross. Yet, it’s quite likely that the first time you heard Ken Block’s name was in relation to Gymkhana. Inspired by the equestrian event of the same name, the sport involved a complex obstacle course that Block would navigate with his now legendary Ford Fiesta in an incredible fashion. The series of videos garnered millions of views on YouTube and was even featured in BBC’s hugely popular show, Top Gear. The rally star would go on to make ten volumes of the show and to this day they hold a mythical place in the hearts of motorsports fans. Block is survived by his wife Lucy and their three children