We start the year with the incredibly sad news of Ken Block’s death in a snowmobile accident. An absolute legend in the rally world, the World Rallycross circuit and the fashion industry. Ken will most likely be best remembered for his massive contribution to car culture through his Gymkhana video series on YouTube. Here is what Ken meant to some of us at Carbs and Coffee.
Mr Q and Ken;
It was a slow day at the office. So we did what all IT geeks do when it’s a slow day – waste time on YouTube. Suddenly one of my workmates swivels around on his chair and shouts out. “Holy *poop dude! You have to check this out!!” He clicks the play button and for the next 3 or 4 minutes there was absolute silence in the office. All of us, car guys and non-car guys, glued to the screen absolutely captivated.
Here was this guy called Ken Block hurling a modified Subaru around an airfield in ways that defied the laws of physics. The noise, tyre smoke and speed created a big spectacle to behold. But the car guys were most impressed by a previously unseen level of pure car control. What this guy was doing with that car, and the degree of accuracy shown in doing it, was absolutely nuts.
Immediately afterwards followed the inevitable debate of whether it was real or not. The sceptics claimed CGI and special effects, the car guys pointed at endless replays saying it has to be real – you can SEE it’s real. In the end we had to concede that it was probably not shot in a single take, but it was absolutely real. Either way, it was a spectacular display of driving and automotive engineering.
So imagine how exciting it was when we discovered this was only the FIRST “Gymkhana” video from Ken Block. Every time a new video dropped, the YouTube link was instantly shared to all WhatsApp groups and we’d all rush to see what crazy stunts the Hoonigans have pulled off this time. It became an office ritual. New video drops – office goes silent for 5-10 minutes, then erupts in discussion.
Each video was better than the last. Not just in terms of the incredible driving displays, but the engineering that went into the cars. And of course the quality of the production. Who can forget the little 600 horsepower Fiesta flying sideways through the air. Or the insane Hoonicorn Mustang breaking away from its chains in a massive cloud of tyre smoke.
Watching racers drive around a track is perhaps impressive, if you are a car person. Non-car people would find it boring. Ken Block made driving a spectator activity for ALL people. He made it fun to watch. Entertainment on 4 wheels. Coupled with his great personality, humility and kindness, you couldn’t help but become a fan. His incredible driving style at the first World RallyCross event at Killarney was absolutely unbelievable to watch. As was his performance in the Hoonicorn at the Top Gear Live show in JHB where I was lucky enough to be sitting in the stands.
His passing has made for a very sad start to the petrol-head’s year. We feel like we’ve lost one of the greats, a legend and a member of the family. Our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Ken’s family and close friends. We can not possibly understand your loss.
I won’t say rest in peace; that wasn’t his style. So in stead I’ll close with – Rest sideways in a cloud of smoke, you Hoonigan. We’ll miss you.
* He didn’t actually say ‘poop’.
Rob Peche and Ken;
Aside from his obvious role in YouTube car culture and being relevant to everyone from pimply kids playing video games to Goodwood members in tweed jackets, Ken Block also taught the world that you’re never too old to start a racing career (or anything else you’ve ever dreamed of). It takes money of course, but it takes passion too. Having been responsible for bringing petrolheads from all walks of life to one place, Block will perhaps best be remembered as a connector of people rather than a purveyor of fine donuts in angry Fords.
Corne van Zyl and Ken;
To me, Ken Block was more than just a Rally Driver or “the guy from YouTube”. Ken was a pioneer, an icon… a legend. The impact he had on automotive culture in general can not be measured. He inspired a whole new generation of Petrolheads and made doing things with cars fun and cool.
I will always remember seeing Ken in action competing in the FIA Rallycross at Killarney. Seeing him drag what is basically half a Ford Focus RX Rallycross car across the finish line (and then later getting disqualified for not making the minimum weight regulations, because not enough of his car finished the race) is just a testament of his spirit and perseverance. RIP Ken, you will be sorely missed.
Reece Oellermann and Ken;
Why was Ken Block a hero of mine? He made the impossible possible. Cheesy, I know. But by that I mean that he was able to make non-car people interested in something car related. At least for the length of a YouTube video.
As a petrolhead kid I remember being forced to sit with friends and watch hours of soccer, rugby or fail videos on YouTube. One day I got fed up and decided to request a video I had seen of some guy drifting a rally car around. It was an instant hit. We all sat in awe as this man was able to pull off things in a vehicle, we only thought possible in cartoons.
From then on, Gymkhana videos became my party trick. Whenever I saw opportunity, I would pull out a Ken Block video and share with everyone a snippet of the excitement that my car world had to offer. For that I can never thank him enough.
I was lucky enough to see Mr Block live on a few occasions. Both when he drove in the Cape Town WRX and at Goodwood Festival of Speed. His infamous Hoonicorn Mustang being sent up sideways on a single-track country road is a memory I will never lose.
Thank you Ken.
Craig Harper and Ken;
My first impression of Ken Block was watching Gymkhana 5. The skill on display was truly breathtaking, and I immediately joined his Fan Club .
My next proper impression of Ken Block was watching him compete in the WRC. As a fan, I was simply amazed and disappointed that he never really featured. Even finishing an event was a successful outcome. This proved that rally driving is simply at another level to gymkhana, rallycross or track racing. Surface, conditions and grip levels are known items and the main variable is what the other drivers are going to do.
Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica also tried their hand at rallying with broadly similar results. These are also massively talented drivers, trying and failing to make the cut in WRC.
The notable difference for me with Ken Block was how he dealt with his disappointment. Ever humble, open and honest, always available for an interview or soundbite, even when having just totalled his Ford again. He was always there for his fans, always smiling through the disappointment.
And so as I reflect on the life of a truly special driver, a showman and a leader in creating amazing content and a wonderful example to everyone of a true competitor, my most enduring impression of Ken Block, is of the beautiful human he was.
Rest in Peace Sir- it was a privilege to watch you create magic.
