RALLY star Ken Block tragically died on Monday, January 2, 2023, at the age of 55 at his ranch in Utah.
The driving legend’s passing was announced by his team, Honnigan Racing Division – here’s everything we know.
Who was Ken Block?
Ken Block was a rally car driver, with a decade-long professional career, racing in every season between 2005 and 2015.
He also competed in a range of other action sports, including skateboarding, snowboarding and motocross.
As well as racing, he co-founded DC Shoes, a skating fashion brand, in 1994 and co-owned Hoonigan industries, which makes clothing and apparel for motor enthusiasts.
He is best known to British audiences for appearing in two episodes of Top Gear.
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Block also found fame for his series of “gymkhana” videos on YouTube, in which he performed daring stunts in a range of vehicles.
Block was born in California on November 21, 1967.
He is survived by his wife Lucy and 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a racing driver.
How did Ken Block die?
Block died in a snowmobile accident near his ranch in Park City, Utah, on the afternoon of January 2 2023.
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According to cops, he was riding the snowmobile down a steep slope when the vehicle upended and landed on top of him.
He was riding in a group, but was alone when the accident happened.
Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his death in a statement, adding: “We are saddened to hear of the loss of Kenneth and our hearts are with his family and friends so deeply affected.
“We thank all of our first responders for their continued service.”
The state’s medical examiner will now work to determine the exact cause of death.
Who did Ken Block race for?
The much-loved driver has raced with a few different teams over the course of his celebrated career.
He debuted in 2005 with Vermont SportsCar and raced under a sponsorship deal with Subaru.
However, he signed with the Ford-sponsored Monster World Rally Team in 2010.
That team later became Hoonigan Racing Division, in partnership with Block’s own Hoonigan Industries.
When was Ken Block on Top Gear?
Block appeared in two Top Gear episodes, one in 2009 and one in 2010.
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In the first, he starred alongside James May as “Captain Slow” m in his Subaru for a rally stage around Inyokern Airport in California.
And in the second he was challenged by Jeremy Clarkson to drive a three-wheeled Reliant Robin around the test track – but he rolled it at the first corner and escaped unharmed.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
