Happy Ken Block Day 4/3
Today was Ken Block Day. 4/3 in honor of the late great Block’s famous racing number. I can’t say I knew the man, but I had the opportunity to chat with Ken at the LA Auto show for a few minutes in 2012. He was chilling outside of a smoky Fiesta rally car on the Press & Industry day and spent a few minutes answering my questions about the car and talking shop. I suggested he should run some 24 Hrs of LeMons races and that infectious boyish charm that you see on the videos was there in the flesh. With the terrible news of his passing from a tragic accident in Jan of this year, my heart goes out to his family and he will be missed. Head over to the Hoonigan youtube channel for a 24 hr streaming 4/3 tribute to Ken Block and just be aware that people might cut some onions nearby.
The man was a legend and I wish the best success to his daughter Lia as she continues his legacy of shredding tires.
Mr. Block’s impact on the automotive world and car culture is only beginning to be felt at this point. He still has an immeasurable importance to, and influence on, a whole generation of enthusiasts who are just old enough to drive.
His talents were massive. His reach was wide. His marketing instincts and abilities were razor sharp. But unlike others in the top tier of motorsports, he always came across as genuine and humble. He could have justified a massive ego but instead, he was just Ken.
Others will follow in his tire tracks, but there will only ever be one original Hoonigan.
Never met the guy but I loved watching his videos and I was surprised it was a snowmobile that did him in with all the crazy tricks he did.