Jump Links
- Ken Block: The Early Years
- Ken Block’s Family: His Anchor
- How Ken Block Turned Motorsport Upside Down
- Hoonigan Industries: Ken Block's Brainchild Changed The Game
- Ken Block’s Cars
- A Legacy That Still Inspires To This Day: Remembering Ken Block
- FAQs
It’s been a couple of years since the untimely and often-cited unreal passing of Ken Block. And to this day, in the adrenaline-fueled world of motorsports, his name is still one of the few that evoke excitement when bringing up memories of him in a modified Ford Fiesta ST doing the wildest things you can imagine... But let's rewind first for those in the back - for those asking, "who is Ken Block?"
Born in Long Beach, California, Block was immersed in the vibrant skateboarding scene and the snowboarding culture that dominated MTV (remember that?!). Not only was he after the next adrenaline high throughout his younger years, but he had an eye for opportunity and would also venture into entrepreneurship, co-founding an apparel brand that would literally revolutionize action sports. Still, Block’s true passion lay in the roar of engines and the thrill you can only get from precision driving. And by his mid-30s, he traded business for rally cars.
Block didn’t just compete in the world of rallying; he redefined the sport. With automotive giants like Ford and Subaru backing him, he stepped up to compete in events like Rally America and the World Rally Championship (WRC). However, as much as that excited him, it was his viral Gymkhana video series that made him a global icon. Sadly, Block passed away in 2023, but his legacy endures, riddled with vision, risk, and influence.
Ken Block's legacy is an endearing one, with many gearheads inspired by his passion and skill. This article isn't intended to be encyclopedic, but rather to give an overview of the life of an icon - and in tribute to what he brought to the automotive industry.
Ken Block: The Early Years
From DC Shoes To Motorsport - at 37!
Toyo Tires
Born on November 21, 1967, Block’s early years were shaped by the burgeoning skateboarding and snowboarding scene. He quickly developed a passion for action sports that would later shape his sense of business. In his younger years, he started his own printing business: hand-screening T-shirts and selling them to skate shops in his local area. It was the start of big things, because from this DIY initiative and ethos, he co-founded DC shoes in 1994 alongside Damon Way. By the early 2000s, DC shoes were on everyone’s lips and became synonymous with skate and snow culture.
Then came 2004, which would be a major turning point in Block’s career. He sold DC for a reported $87 million, giving him the freedom to explore other interests, including motorsport. At 37-years-old, he stepped into rallying, which is a bit of a late entry by motorsport standards. Ken Block's age didn't halter this in any way. His legacy in DC helped him gain early sponsorship, and his business acumen helped him shape his place in motorsport. Block explored ventures outside of rallying, too, including the 2005 Gumball 3000.
Ken Block’s youth was marked by innovation and taking risks that would become the cornerstones of his later exploits. From a humble T-shirt business to a global powerhouse in DC shoes, Block’s story has inspired many, yet he remained - and led - a grounded, family-oriented life.
Ken Block’s Family: His Anchor
A Family With A Love For Adrenaline
Lira K. Block / Instagram
Many close to this automotive legend would praise his love for family. His wife, Lucy, and their three children - daughters Lia and Kira, and son Mika - were the cornerstone of his high-octane existence, providing him with the balance and peace of mind he needed in the chaos of rallying and entrepreneurship. Lucy, too, is an adventurer and shared in Ken’s deep-rooted passion for extreme sports and family adventures. In 2024, Lucy participated in the Baja 1000 alongside her daughter, Lia, and former Baja 1000 champions Rodrigo Ampudia and Terry Madden, sealing the class victory. It was a posthumous honoring of Ken’s legacy and spirit.
But in all of his endeavours, Block still prioritized his family - even if it meant integrating them into his world. The Hoonigan videos, which started with a 2008 “practice” video, went viral and amassed millions of views on social media. His family was a part of it. Lucy was - and is - an active participant in the “hoon” lifestyle, with their children often competing together in events, piloting Hoonigan-modified vehicles. Yet, even with all of their exploits and busy schedules, the family ranch in Woodland, Utah, served as their safe haven when they’d come to snowboard and bond. Tragically, the ranch would be the site of the accident that led to his death.
"Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed."
- Hoonigan Industries
How Ken Block Turned Motorsport Upside Down
Exploding Onto The American & Global Motorsport Scene - And The First American In WRC Is…
Larry Chen / Red Bull Content Pool
Ken Block exploded onto the motorsport scene in 2005 following the sale of DC Shoes the year before. His first event was the Rally America with Vermont SportsCar, where Ken Block rally car was a Subaru WRX STI. He clinched ‘Rookie of the Year’ after a strong debut. He continued racing with a Subaru in 2006, finishing the series in second-place overall. At X Games XII that year, he earned a bronze medal. Between 2005 and 2009, Block secured 19 podiums and eight wins in rallying, leading to his international foray into WRC.
When he switched to Ford in 2010 with Monster World Rally Team (which would later become Hoonigan Racing Division), Block became the first American in WRC. Piloting a Ford Focus RS WRC, he dominated the 100 Acre Wood five times over the years, including ninth in the 2010 Rally Catalunya (Spain) and seventh in Rally Mexico in 2013. Other motorsport exploits include:
- Rallycross: Global RallyCross (GRC) from 2011, winning six races and finishing second overall in 2014
- X Games: Silver 2007, Bronze 2006/2008
- WRC: Partial and one-off entries between 2007-2018
Though Ken Block was not a championship dominator like Sebastien Loeb or Colin McRae, his marketing genius brought rallying to millions of new fans. His overall impact? Revolutionizing rally accessibility.
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
