Ken Block has died when tragedy struck on Monday near his home in Park City, Utah after a horrific snowmobile accident. We extend our very deepest condolences to his wife, Lucy and their three children.
Ken is a household name and has changed the face of motor rallying around the world. With his famous Hoonigan You Tube Web site he has entertained millions of people by displaying an unmatched skill as he maneuvered his car around obstacle courses.
More important than any other achievement, Ken valued his family more than any of his accomplishments on the track.
The Racing World Has United In Grief
While Ken was focused on rally cars, his growing appeal spread much further than rally courses.
Formula One drivers have joined in a display of shock and compassion in the passing of Ken.
“I am devastated to hear of Ken Block’s passing. He was such an amazing person, always lived life to the fullest. I remember our first time working together and how positive he was. So much talent behind the wheel…”
“Years ago we had an amazing time heli-skiing and snowboarding in Canada. We held so much respect for one another. He will truly be missed and my thoughts and prayers go to his beautiful family. Gone too soon. Rest in peace Ken.”
Lewis Hamilton
“We lost a legend of our sport today. Thank you Ken for sharing racing passion the way you did”
“Rest in peace Ken Block a true legend of the sport, all my thoughts with his family and friends!”
Zak Brown
“Very sad. RIP Legend”
Mercedes F1 team
“Ken Block, a motorsport icon, gone too soon.”
“In shock at the passing of Ken Block. Such a talent that did so much for our sport. He was a true visionary with his own unique style & infectious smile. Our sport lost one of the best today but more importantly a great man. Sending love & hugs to the Block family”
Jenson Button
Ken Almost Tested In F1
F1 Tyre supplier Pirelli tried to get Ken into an F1 car testing session in 2011.
Pirelli had a relationship with Ken from working together in the World Rally Championships. They saw the marketing benefits of giving Ken the opportunity to test an F1 car to raise awareness of its involvement in F1.
head of motorsport media relations in the United States, Rafael Navarro, championed the attempt to get Ken into an F1 car.
Working with motorsport chief Paul Hembury , they came up with a plan.
The intent was to use a two year old Toyota F1 car (TF109) which Pirelli were using in 2011 for its development work.
To cut a long story short Ken was scheduled to test at Monza in August 2011.
Everything was on track, except when he squeezed himself into the cockpit his body type meant that there was insufficient space to turn the steering wheel.
Although Ken was able to sit inside the car to get below the roll-hoop requirements, in doing so his legs were positioned such that they blocked the movement of the steering wheel.
The organizers considered converting the car but the level of modifications were going to be too extreme and to everyone’s regret the plan could not go ahead.
The Last Word Goes To His Daughter Lia
Lia is actively following in her dad’s steps and is achieving great success in rallying at an early age.
This morning she posted the following tribute to her dad.
Lia K Block
“Yesterday I didn’t just lose my father, I lost my best friend. He was truly my whole world and the only person I ever looked up too. No matter what I did he was always there to support me. I can’t believe how fast he was taken from all of us. No words can describe of how much of an amazing human my dad was, he lived so many lives, accomplished more in 55 years than most people could in 10 lifetimes, and lived his life to the absolute fullest every single day.
He always did what he loved no matter what, right up to the last second, and always was there for me and my siblings and my mom whenever we did what we loved.
Ken Never Said NO
Ken never said no to something we wanted to try, never pushed us to like what he liked, just opened the door for us to explore.
He never missed an opportunity to help us grow as good people, he always told me that he wanted us to be even more amazing, caring, happy, selfless, humans than him and my mom.
Ken was renowned for the number of times he had helped others and opened doors for so many other people. I can only hope to do half as many amazing things he did.
I grew up, knowing in the back of my head, that I wanted to be just like dad. He was one of the most amazing people in the world, not to mention the best dad I could have ever asked for. I will strive every single day to make you proud. I love you to the moon and back Kenny boi. #kb43ver”
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F1 drivers pay tribute to Ken Block after Gymkhana star and rally driver dies at 55 | Formula 1
