“Please respect the family’s privacy at this time while they grieve.”
Hoonigan Industries confirmed today in an Instagram post shared with their followers earlier today (Jan 2, 2023) that American professional rally driver Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident. Block was 55.
Here’s @TheHoonigans untimely announcement below.
Prior to learning about his passing, Block had been sharing stories from his personal Instagram earlier that day.
Recent posts placed Block somewhere in Nelson, British Columbia at a ranch in Baldface Lodge.
The last post Block shared was an announcement sharing the conclusion to a four video series of his 16-year-old daughter Lia…“buying, tearing down, rebuilding and now driving her ‘85 Audi Ur Quattro.”
Block started making a name for himself when he entered the world of professional rallying between 2005-2014.
In Block’s Rally America career racing with the Monster World Rally Team, Block garnered 28 podium finishes, with his arguably best season in 2008 finishing 2nd overall.
Forays into the World Rally Championship in 2007 and 2008 set Block up for a points scoring season in 2010 where he became the first ever American driver to campaign for the World Rally Championship.
A four-year break from WRC in 2014 saw Block return to the WRC circuit for one round in 2018 where he ended up retiring early.
Intermixed with his professional Rally career, Block entered and raced in several other motorsports disciplines simultaneously which, seen from a bird’s eye view, was Block’s signature style.
In other words, if it had four wheels, Block was hooning it.
From 2006-2015, Block was an active participant in the X-Games in the sport of Rallycross.
From 2011-2015 and again in 2018, Block competed in the Global RallyCross Championship.
Block ticked off a round of the FIA ERX Supercar Championship in 2014.
And, in 2014, 2016 and 2017 Block went overseas to compete in the European Rallycross Championship.
Fans of Ken Block will probably most remember him for his Gymkhana series of videos, Block releasing his 11th Gymkhana video earlier last year.
In all, his Gymkhana series of videos has captured over a billion views and counting.
With his wealth of automotive knowledge and skill, Block made appearances on Top Gear, automotive shows for the Discovery Channel, and lent his expertise on at least one Gumball 3000 Rally as a participant.
Ken Block is survived by his wife Lucy and his three kids.
We’ll miss you, Ken Block.
