In the nine years that I’ve had here at BangShift, I’ve done my very best to not become too jaded to the car community at large. I’ve also put effort into removing the concept of “hero worship” and attitudes that usually fall under the term “fanboy” out of my actions. I’ve met racers, industry leaders, photographers with skills that make my attempts look childish. A combination of work and sheer stupid luck have brought me to where I am today. And today, that place is a pretty low point, because as you’ve read by now, Ken Block is gone.
I’m pretty sure that I have never met Ken. If I did, it was for maybe two seconds at a place like SEMA, where everyone is on a schedule like you wouldn’t believe and they have to be somewhere else in five minutes. But that’s alright. Name another name, it’s the same thing. What hits home for me this time, is that an inspiration, a vindication, has gone. He didn’t ball it up on a rally stage. He didn’t get talked into a stunt that pushed the limit an inch too far. He was on vacation with his family when an accident occurred and sadly, that accident was fatal. The same thing happens to people everyday. What makes Ken stand out?
When Gymkhana 1 (“Gymkhana Practice”) came out in 2008, the video spread like wildfire among the shops that I worked in. We were all soldiers back from Iraq, many of us from our second or even third tours, and we were spending our quieter time watching this dude throw a Subaru around like it was a $500 used car. Prior to the Gymkhana video, that was something you did when you thought nobody was nearby, or if you were on a quiet road somewhere in the middle of nowhere. That was felony territory. That was the kind of stuff done in grass fields and gravel fire roads and iced-over parking lots when you thought nobody was watching. Ken made it into an art form. Ken made that something to aspire to. He wasn’t just screwing off…he was honing a craft. And he had a shit-eating grin a mile wide on his face the whole time.
We’ve seen him grow from those early videos. Haley and I watched him compete in the Global RallyCross Championship finals in Las Vegas in 2012, the year when his Ford Fiesta rally car caught fire and was burning, Ken driving until his ECU melted off of its perch. Lohnes willingly hopped into a rally car with him in 2015 at the Team O’Neil Rally School and had his world re-written. We saw the big builds, like the Hoonicorn Mustang, the Hoonitruck, all of it come together. We saw Hoonigan grow into the media powerhouse it is.
It’s what wasn’t public that really kicks you in the gut. Whipping donuts and drifts in a wet parking lot way out of sight on a Friday night after you and your friends get amped up watching the videos. Seeing the excitement on my friend’s faces when they were walking the pits at the Oregon Trail Rally hoping to meet him. Watching hundreds…hell, probably thousands of people walled-up at the pit in front of the SEMA show as the Hoonicorn was putting on a show.
Seeing the look on some kid’s face as they were meeting the man they looked up to, maybe as a celebrity, certainly as an inspiration.
Godspeed.
Great article.
A fine tribute sir. Well done.
Saw Ken’s interview at the SEMA show opening breakfast, he was at the top of his game, an innovator and showman. They don’t come along often. RIP
I made it to fifty this past year, I’ve at least experienced some really cool stuff in the automotive world in those years.
Ken Block was entirely something different than even the raddest rally, F1, Super bike or drag racers out there. I don’t know what it was about Ken but, when I took notice years ago, I was so blown away an jealous of his abilities, the fun that he was having and the opportunity he had to do such cool stuff.
Ken reminds me of Ayrton Senna in some aspects of his skills. What might look like reckless abandon was more passion and talent one their little pinky than many others in the automotive industry. When you have it, you have it. This dude will be sorely missed for sure, my level of respect is immense. R.I.P. you talented SOB!
This article is full of “I” statements. A good biopic, and especially a decent epitaph, has none of those and focuses on the subject. The author would do well to study writing styles that highlight the subject more than their own ego. Seriously, it’s possible to write a great article about a car or a driver without the author inserting their own ego: just see some of the good automotive writing from C&D or elsewhere.
Why You gotta show up and be a dick when McT is paying tribute to Ken Block?
I thought it was a great write up, read the title and understand where he was coming from.
I would like to respond, Mr. Csere, but the email address was invalid.
I like how you told me you didn’t understand the article using a whole bunch of words AND without stating “I don’t understand what you wrote here.” Oh, that would involve using “I”
You would never have survived as a writer in a world where you are subject to direct, unfiltered feedback from readers.
Obviously the troll found Bangshift, of course this person has the greatest builds and driving skill that puts all to shame. I’m sure he’ll respond with his over inflated intellect about how I’m nothing and everyone else is also. Nice to meet you Narci.
Joker has been here before under different names. Always a dick.
Great article Bryan! Thanks for taking the time to remember Ken. Also, found your 2016 article on the mustang swapped Saab 900- it’s alive and well with the original builder/owner in Billerica, MA!
Why You gotta show up and be a dick when McT is paying tribute to Ken Block?
I thought it was a great write up, read the title and understand where he was coming from.