History of Ken Block in Timeline

Ken Block was a professional rally driver and co-founder of DC Shoes. He gained fame through his Gymkhana video series, showcasing his incredible car control and stunt driving abilities. Beyond rallying, Block also participated in action sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross, highlighting his diverse athletic talents. His Hoonigan Racing Division became a popular brand within automotive and action sports culture. Block tragically passed away in January 2023 in a snowmobile accident, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and excitement in motorsports.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1965: CSR Racing 2 Update

In November 2023, CSR Racing 2 released an update which added a #KB43VER event featuring a playable 1965 Ford Mustang GT Hoonicorn V1 vehicle.

November 21, 1967: Ken Block's Birth

On November 21, 1967, Kenneth Paul Block was born. He later became a professional rally driver and co-founder of DC Shoes.

1978: Ford Escort Mk2 RS Wheel Specs

Ken Block's 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS uses the Rotiform GTB in a 4x108 PCD, with a 13 offset in a 17x9 tire width.

2004: Gumball 3000 Rally Preparation

In 2005, Ken Block and his DC Shoes associates participated in the Gumball 3000 Rally, using three modified 2004 Subaru WRX STis sponsored by DC Shoes.

2005: Gumball 3000 Rally Participation

In 2005, Ken Block and his DC Shoes associates participated in the Gumball 3000 Rally, using three modified 2004 Subaru WRX STis sponsored by DC Shoes.

2005: Start of National Rallying Career

In 2005, Ken Block started his National Rallying career with Vermont SportsCar, driving a 2005 Subaru WRX STi. He finished seventh overall at Sno*Drift and achieved five top-five finishes, placing third in the Group A class and fourth in the Rally America National Championship. He also won the Rally America Rookie of the Year award in 2005.

October 1, 2006: Lia Block's Birth

On October 1, 2006, Ken Block's daughter, Lia Block, was born.

2006: Subaru Sponsorship and X Games XII

In 2006, Ken Block and teammate Travis Pastrana signed a sponsorship deal with Subaru, becoming "Subaru Rally Team USA". Block competed in X Games XII, finishing third. He also competed in the 2006 Rally America National Championship, finishing second overall.

2006: One Lap of America Competition

In 2006, Ken Block competed in the One Lap of America competition with Brian Scotto, finishing forty-fifth overall in a 2006 Subaru WRX STi.

2006: Stunt Junkies Jump

In 2006, Ken Block jumped his Subaru WRX STi rally car 171 feet (52 m) with a max height of 25 feet (7.6 m) for the Discovery Channel show Stunt Junkies.

December 2007: Snowboarding Accident

In December 2007, Ken Block joined the DC Shoes Snowboarding team at New Zealand's Snow Park, where he cracked a vertebra in his spine after a crash while snowboarding.

2007: X Games XIII and World Rally Championship entries

In 2007, Ken Block secured a silver medal at the X Games XIII rally event and finished third overall in the Rally America National Championship. During the 2007 season, he participated in Rally Mexico and Rally New Zealand as part of the World Rally Championship, achieving two top-five stage times in the Group N class in Rally New Zealand.

October 17, 2008: Second Overall in 2008 Rally America National Championship

On October 17, 2008, Ken Block finished second overall in the 2008 Rally America National Championship. During the Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR) stage, Block secured the second overall position, finishing over one minute ahead of his closest competitor.

2008: Canadian Rally Win and X Games XIV

In 2008, Ken Block won the Rallye Baie-des Chaleurs in the Canadian Rally Championship. Block also competed in the Rally New York USA competition and finished in first place. He tied for third place with Dave Mirra in the X Games XIV rally competition.

2009: Top Gear Appearance

In 2009, Ken Block appeared on the BBC show Top Gear, taking James May out for Gymkhana-style driving at Inyokern Airport.

2009: Featured in Colin McRae: Dirt 2

In 2009, Ken Block was featured as a driver in Codemasters' Colin McRae: Dirt 2, along with his Subaru Rally Team USA Impreza.

August 24, 2010: Gymkhana 3 Video Release

On August 24, 2010, Ken Block released the first of a three part Gymkhana 3 video featuring his new Ford Fiesta.

September 14, 2010: Gymkhana 3 Video Release

On September 14, 2010, Ken Block's third Gymkhana video, featuring a Ford Fiesta, was released on YouTube and gained over seven million views in its first week.

2010: Gymkhana Grid Co-founder

In 2010, Ken Block co-founded Gymkhana Grid, an annual gymkhana race held around the world.

2010: Joins Ford and Wins Rally in the 100 Acre Wood

In 2010, Ken Block ended his partnership with Subaru and joined Ford to compete part-time at the World Rally Championship for Monster World Rally Team. He became the first American driver to campaign for the World Rally Championship and won the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood (Rally America) for the 5th consecutive time on February 27, 2010.

2010: Top Gear Reliant Robin Appearance

In 2010, Ken Block made a brief appearance on Top Gear, crashing a Reliant Robin.

August 16, 2011: Gymkhana 4 Release

On August 16, 2011, Ken Block released his fourth Gymkhana video, "The Hollywood Megamercial," on YouTube, filmed at Universal Studios.

2011: Featured in Dirt 3

In 2011, Ken Block was featured as a driver and gymkhana teacher in Codemasters' Dirt 3, with his Monster World Rally Team vehicles included in the game.

2011: Rally de Portugal Accident

In 2011, on March 23, Ken Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino were hospitalized after rolling their Ford Fiesta RS WRC during the shakedown stage of the 2011 Rally de Portugal in Faro, Portugal. He finished 8th at the France and 9th at Wales, scoring 6 points.

2011: Competed in the Global RallyCross Championship

Ken Block competed in the Global RallyCross Championship from 2011 to 2015, collecting six wins and 15 podiums.

July 9, 2012: Gymkhana 5 Release

On July 9, 2012, Ken Block released his fifth Gymkhana video on YouTube, featuring his Ford Fiesta in San Francisco alongside Travis Pastrana. It gained 5.1 million views in 24 hours.

2012: Featured in Dirt: Showdown

In 2012, Ken Block's Hoonigan/Monster Ford Fiesta appeared in Codemasters' Dirt: Showdown, featuring his gymkhana style of driving.

2012: Fifth in 2012 Global RallyCross Championship

Ken Block finished fifth in the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship.

2013: Top-Ten Finish in Mexican Rally

In 2013, Ken Block scored well in his first race of the season, entering the top-ten in the Mexican rally. This earned him his first six points for the championship and a best-ever 7th overall finish.

2013: Third in 2013 Global RallyCross Championship

Ken Block finished third in the 2013 Global RallyCross Championship

2014: FIA World Rallycross Championship and European Rallycross Championship

In 2014, Ken Block achieved third place in the Norway round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and won the Norway round of the European Rallycross Championship.

2014: Gymkhana Grid Win

In 2014, Ken Block won the all-wheel-drive event at Gymkhana Grid, beating Jake Archer in the final duel.

2014: Global RallyCross Championship Runner-Up

Ken Block finished runner-up in the 2014 Global RallyCross Championship.

2015: Need for Speed Video Game Appearance

In 2015, Ken Block appeared in the Need for Speed video game as the style icon.

2015: Competed in the Global RallyCross Championship

Ken Block competed in the Global RallyCross Championship from 2011 to 2015, collecting six wins and 15 podiums.

2016: Full-Time World Rallycross Championship

For the 2016 season, Ken Block decided to compete full-time in the World Rallycross Championship.

2016: Top Gear Hoonicorn Drifting

In 2016, Ken Block drifted his Hoonicorn around the empty streets of London with Matt LeBlanc on Top Gear.

2017: World Rallycross Championship Results

In 2017, Ken Block finished 9th in points for the World Rallycross Championship, with a best finish of 7th at Britain and France.

2017: MotorTrend's Ignition Appearance

In 2017, Ken Block made an appearance on MotorTrend's Ignition with Jonny Lieberman to promote the 2017 Ford Raptor.

2017: Forza Horizon 3 and Forza Motorsport 7

In 2017, Ken Block's Hoonigan-branded cars first appeared in expansion packs for Forza Horizon 3 and Forza Motorsport 7.

2018: Americas Rallycross Championship

In 2018, Ken Block competed full-time in the Americas Rallycross Championship, claiming two podiums and ranking fourth in points.

2018: Top Gear Police Officer Role

In 2018, Ken Block portrayed a police officer chasing Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris, and Rory Reid on Top Gear.

2018: Forza Horizon 4 Launch Cars

In 2018, Ken Block's Hoonigan-branded cars were offered as launch cars for Forza Horizon 4.

2019: Donegal International Rally Crash

In 2019, Ken Block competed in the Donegal International Rally in Ireland, driving an Escort Cosworth. He crashed out on SS2.

2021: Collaboration with Wheel Pros

In 2021, Ken Block collaborated with Rotiform and Fuel Off-Road through Wheel Pros to create four sets of signature wheels.

2021: Baja 1000 Race

In 2021, Ken Block raced in the Baja 1000 in the trophy truck class, finishing in 4th place.

2021: Forza Horizon 5 Launch Cars

In 2021, Ken Block's Hoonigan-branded cars were offered as launch cars for Forza Horizon 5.

2022: Lia Block Competes in American Rally Association

In 2022, Ken Block's daughter, Lia Block, began competing in the American Rally Association.

January 2, 2023: Ken Block's Death

On January 2, 2023, Ken Block passed away. He was a professional rally driver with the Hoonigan Racing Division and co-founder of DC Shoes.

January 2023: Death in Snowmobile Accident

In January 2023, Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident, shortly after selling his ownership of DC Shoes. At the time of his death, he was co-owner and "Head Hoonigan In Charge" (HHIC) at Hoonigan Industries.

November 2023: CSR Racing 2 Update

In November 2023, CSR Racing 2 released an update which added a #KB43VER event featuring a playable 1965 Ford Mustang GT Hoonicorn V1 vehicle.

November 2023: Lia Block Joins Williams Driver Academy

In November 2023, Ken Block's daughter Lia Block became a member of the Williams Driver Academy.

2023: "Hoon" Car in Cyberpunk 2077

In 2023, a racing styled car with the name "Hoon" and number 43 was added to version 2 of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077.

2024: Hoonigan Releases Gymkhana Compilation

In 2024, Hoonigan released a video compilation containing all of Ken Block's Gymkhana videos and Gymkhana spinoff videos, except for the two he did with Top Gear and the BBC.