A boy called Ken Block grew up in one of these small towns, somewhere in the heart of America. At his tender age, Ken was fascinated and mesmerized by speed and driving. His room was a hobby with toy cars, racing posters, and videos of legendary drivers that kindled a fire within him. Little did anyone know, this boy was to become a legend in the world of motorsports.
Ken pursued a different route altogether right after high school. He had entered the world of competitive racing, starting with local events. Charisma and talent did not take very long to raise eyebrows. He was not just a driver; he was an entertainer, ready to push the limits on what could be done from behind the wheel. So he tired his hand in Rally Racing and before being known for his drifting career, he was competing at an X Games event, and Ken Block’s life would change forever. In competition with a series known as Gymkhana, he performed an incredible stunt and had people’s jaws dropping. The ability to handle the car with pinpoint precision while weaving through obstacles and performing death-defying stunts redefined the genre.
Before his esteemed drifting career he co-founded the famous company of DC shoes with co-founders Damon Way, and Clayton Blehm, when Ken finally decided to leave the company and sell his share he sold his part of the company for 87 million
dollars. After this, he created the Gyhmkana 1 video in his 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI with 530 wh (Wheel Horsepower). The moment the video release date hit the internet, it went viral, captured millions of attention, and made him a worldwide icon instantly. This was the first of his Gymkhana series! The link will be provided at the bottom of this story.
As time progressed he had made many new and wicked cars that he used in his next 15 Gymkhanas! But his most popular vehicle of use was his 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR, which held. The Engine in his first iteration of the car was a Roush Yates 410 cubic inch F
ord V8 engine with ITBs that put out 845 hp / Torque: 720 ft·lb at 6500 rpm, behind this was the 6-speed Sadev SC90-24.
All wheel drive. Transmission and drivetrain. was in a 1965 Ford Mustang notchback, seam welded and reinforced. Custom, ASD Motorsports-designed tubular chassis, roll cage, door bars and underbody protection. Body styling by RTR, Ken Block, and Hoonigan. RTR carbon fiber body panels. This cars main video was in Gymkhana 7 (Link down below)
Ken must have gotten tired of not having more than 845 hp and he made an entirely new iteration of the car was another 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR, Ken Block’s 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2 builds upon where the original Hoonicorn left off. Taking that car that starred in Gymkhana SEVEN, Block and his team have modified the 410 cubic inch Roush Yates Ford V8 heart of the Hoonicorn to now feature a custom twin turbo setup from Garrett that feeds the boost through a custom Switzer Dynamics intake manifold. The end result? 1,400 horsepower that’s fed through the Sadev all-wheel-drive system. Designed from the start to take a car that was already crazy and make it absolutely insane, Block has done so. This car was used in many of his videos and famous drifting video on Pikes Peak!
With Ken, the limitation was furthered and reached, seeking new grounds-from snow-capped mountains to city streets-for the perfect backdrop to his next thrilling episode. The possibilities were endless, and each new video combined his breathtaking driving with stunning cinematography and a story to be told that resonated with his fans.
But amidst the adrenaline and fame, Ken never forgot where his roots lay. He would frequently go back home, organize local events, and galvanize youngsters into the spirit of driving. He believed that the thrill of motorsport should be for one and all, not merely the elitist sectors of society. Through his influence, programs began that resourced and mentored would-be racers. His warmth and encouragement fired dreams in the hearts of many youngsters. He became so much more than just a legendary driver; he became a face changer for motorsport by the end. His story was a lesson in inspiration when passion, creativity, and a sense of giving back combined to make the spark of a childhood dream an enduring legacy. Standing on the track, ears buzzing from the rumble of revving motors and whooping child drivers, he knew something very special had been created: a family of racers that would carry the torch into an eminently long life beyond his own.
Unfortunately, on January 2, 2023, Ken at the age of 55 years old was in Woodland, Utah at his ranch and was in a fatal snowmobile accident where his snowmobile upended and landed on top of him. Truly a tragedy, but now his daughter Lia Block his 18-year-old daughter carries on his legacy as a driver for rally and a popular series on Hoonigans YouTube channel called Hoonicorn vs. The World.
