Tessa Quinn
Ken Block, a professional rally driver, YouTube star, and co-founder of DC Shoes, died at the age of 55 in a snowmobile accident near his ranch in Park City, Utah. Block was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the vehicle flipped and landed on top of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene and is survived by his wife, Lucy, and three children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of death | 2 January 2023 |
| Age | 55 |
| Place of death | Near his ranch in Park City, Utah |
| Cause of death | Snowmobile accident |
| Pronounced dead at | The scene |
| Official cause of death determined by | Utah State Medical Examiner's Office |
| Survived by | His wife, Lucy, and three children |
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What You'll Learn
Ken Block's snowmobile accident
Ken Block, a well-known rally driver, and YouTuber, sadly passed away in a snowmobile accident on January 2, 2023, at the age of 55. Block was riding a snowmobile up a steep slope in the Mill Hollow area of Wasatch County, Utah, when the vehicle flipped and landed on top of him. The accident occurred around 2 p.m. during a group outing, but Block was alone when the snowmobile crashed.
Block was a resident of Park City, Utah, and had a decade-long professional career in rally driving, racing in every season between 2005 and 2015. He was named Rally America's Rookie of the Year in his debut season and went on to win five medals at the X Games between 2006 and 2013. In addition to his racing accomplishments, Block was also known for his daring stunts, which he showcased in his popular "Gymkhana" video series on YouTube. These videos, which often featured Block performing stunts in unique locations, helped bring the sport of rally racing to a global audience.
Beyond his success in motorsport, Block was also an entrepreneur. In 1994, he co-founded DC Shoes, a skating fashion brand, which he later sold in 2004. He also co-owned Hoonigan Industries, a company that creates clothing and apparel for motor enthusiasts. Hoonigan Racing Division announced Block's passing, mourning the loss of a visionary, pioneer, and icon who will be deeply missed.
The Wasatch County Sheriff's Office responded to the accident scene, and the State Medical Examiner's Office determined the official cause of death. Block's death shocked the world, with many paying tribute to his impact on the world of rally racing and his fearless pursuit of extreme sports. His legacy will forever be remembered, leaving a lasting impression on both the motorsport community and his devoted fans.
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Ken Block's death confirmed by Hoonigan Racing Division
Ken Block, the founder of Hoonigan Racing and DC Shoes, has died in a snowmobile crash, Hoonigan Racing Division has confirmed.
Block, 55, died near his ranch in Park City, Utah, on January 2, 2023. He was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile fell backwards and landed on top of him, the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"We are saddened to hear of the loss of Kenneth and our hearts are with his family and friends so deeply affected, the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "We thank all of our first responders for their continued service."
Hoonigan Racing paid tribute to Block, saying: "Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed. Please respect the family's privacy at this time while they grieve."
Block was a professional rally driver and a co-founder of DC Shoes, a popular skateboarding and shoe brand. He began rallying in 2005 and made his debut on the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) circuit in Mexico two years later. He was also known for his YouTube series "Gymkhana", in which he performed driving stunts and drifts at different locations around the world. He was the Rally America rookie of the year in 2005 and finished second overall in 2006, 2008 and 2013. He also won five medals at the X Games between 2006 and 2013.
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Ken Block's career in rally driving
Ken Block was a professional rally driver with the Hoonigan Racing Division, formerly known as the Monster World Rally Team. Block began his career in rallying in 2005 with the Vermont SportsCar team, racing under a sponsorship deal with Subaru.
In his debut season, Block finished seventh overall and fifth in the Group N class. He was named the Rally America rookie of the year in 2005 and went on to finish second overall in 2006, 2008, and 2013. Block also competed in the Canadian Rally Championship and the X Games, where he earned five medals between 2006 and 2013. He was the first American to drive in the World Rally Championship.
Block was known for his daring stunts and unique style of driving, often showcasing his skills in "'gymkhana'" videos on YouTube. In one of his most popular videos, Block drifted through the streets of San Francisco in a 650-horsepower Ford Fiesta, catching air and speeding over hilly crests. His trademark gymkhana style of driving was also featured in video games such as Dirt 3 and Dirt: Showdown.
Block was also one of the co-founders of DC Shoes, an action sports brand, in 1994. After selling his ownership of the company in 2004, he shifted his business focus to Hoonigan Industries, an apparel brand for auto enthusiasts, where he was the co-owner and "Head Hoonigan In Charge" (HHIC).
Block's passion for cars and racing was well-known, and he was respected for his marketing skills and ability to make cool cars and perform stunts with them. He appeared on the BBC motoring show Top Gear multiple times and was one of only four American drivers to score in the WRC. Block's daughter, Lia Block, has followed in his footsteps and is now a racing driver herself.
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Ken Block's YouTube fame
Ken Block, the renowned rally driver and stuntman, passed away at the age of 55 in a tragic snowmobile accident near his ranch in Park City, Utah, on January 2, 2023. Block's adventurous spirit and daredevil nature also extended beyond the racetrack, as he was involved in various extreme sports, including skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross.
While Block's professional racing career spanned a decade, with notable achievements in the Rally America Championship and X Games, it was his YouTube fame that truly captivated audiences worldwide. Block's "Gymkhana" video series on YouTube showcased his fearless stunt performances in a range of vehicles, thrilling viewers with each upload.
One of his most memorable videos, published in 2012, captivated over 110 million viewers. In this particular video, Block navigated the hilly streets of San Francisco in a 650-horsepower Ford Fiesta, drifting between trolley cars and defying gravity with each hair-raising turn. This video, along with others in the Gymkhana franchise, propelled Block into the global spotlight, attracting over 600 million views on YouTube alone.
Block's keen sense of branding and marketing, combined with his exceptional driving skills, played a pivotal role in his YouTube success. He understood the importance of engaging audiences beyond those who were already enthusiasts of the sport. By creating content that was thrilling and captivating, even for those unfamiliar with motorsports, Block attracted a diverse fan base that eagerly awaited each new video release.
In addition to his "Gymkhana" series, Block also made appearances on popular motoring shows such as Top Gear, where he performed stunts and showcased his unparalleled car control. His passion for pushing the limits and his charismatic presence behind the wheel left an indelible mark on the world of motorsports and entertainment.
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Ken Block's personal life
Ken Block was a rally driver with a decade-long professional career, racing in every season between 2005 and 2015. He was also involved in several other extreme sports, including skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross. In addition to his career in motorsports, Block was also an entrepreneur. He co-founded DC Shoes, a skating fashion brand, in 1994, and later co-owned Hoonigan Industries, which creates clothing and apparel for motor enthusiasts. Block was also known for his YouTube series "Gymkhana", where he performed daring stunts in a range of vehicles.
Block was born in California on November 21, 1967, and passed away at the age of 55 in a snowmobile accident near his ranch in Park City, Utah, on January 2, 2023. He was riding down a steep slope when the snowmobile flipped over and landed on top of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene due to his injuries.
Block was married to Lucy Block, an entrepreneur and accomplished rally driver. She founded Luna's Kitchen, a gluten-free kitchen and bakery in Park City, Utah, offering options for various diets, including dairy-free, keto, paleo, and vegan. Lucy has mostly avoided the spotlight, and Ken was reserved when discussing his family life. They had three daughters together: Lia, who is also a driver and has competed for her father's Hoonigan Racing team; the other two daughters' names are unknown.
Following Ken Block's passing, his wife, Lucy, and daughter, Lia, participated in the 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb to honor his memory. Lucy drove an electric-powered 2024 Sierra Echo Block Edition by Hypercraft in the Unlimited division, bearing the number #430 as a tribute to Ken's #43. Lia drove the Hoonipigasus, a 1400hp Porsche her father had planned to race in the previous year. The Block family received immense support during Race Week, with hundreds of fans lining up to meet them and purchase merchandise to benefit the 43 Institute, established in Ken Block's memory to support passionate individuals in their pursuits.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Ken Block died near his ranch in Park City, Utah, in a snowmobile accident.
Ken Block was a rally driver with a decade-long professional career, racing in every season between 2005 and 2015. He was also a co-founder of DC Shoes, a popular skateboarding and shoe brand. Block was also known for his YouTube channel, where he posted automotive aeronautics content and his \"gymkhana\" videos, in which he performed daring stunts.
Ken Block died in a snowmobile accident on January 2, 2023, at the age of 55. According to the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office, Block's snowmobile upended and landed on top of him while he was riding down a steep slope.
