We're only a couple days into the new year and tragedy has already struck the motorsports community. On Monday, Ken Block, the legendary rally driver and co-founder of Hoonigan and DC Shoes, died in a snowmobile accident in Wasatch County, Utah. According to Wasatch County Sheriff's Office officials, Block was pronounced dead at the scene after the snowmobile he was operating turned over and landed on top of him. He was 55.
"It's with deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today," an Instagram post from Hoonigan Industries read. "Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed."
Though Block primarily competed behind the wheel of a rally car, his death sent shockwaves through virtually every motorsports community, from Formula One to IndyCar to, of course, NASCAR. Following the news of Block's untimely death, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, and other NASCAR drivers took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late racing icon.
Prayers for @kblock43?s family. He was a pioneer in motorsports and brought a vision to do things behind the wheel that no one else had ever accomplished of even thought of before.
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) January 3, 2023
A toast to you @kblock43. Nothing but love from the @MonsterEnergy family. pic.twitter.com/s86GQJ0MIQ
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) January 3, 2023
Rip
Such a legend. Saw him drive one time in Vegas and he had every drivers respect. #Godspeed https://t.co/KpQSr2PsOF— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) January 3, 2023
Met Ken Block one time and was able to do a video shoot with him and was absolutely blown away at how nice he was and the car control he had. RIP? pic.twitter.com/qjrqMzExO1
— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) January 3, 2023
Ken Block, such a legend! Showed the world how to make awesome content, and just a wheelman!! RIP #gymkhana
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) January 3, 2023
So sad to hear about the loss of an absolute legend @kblock43. Nothing that man couldn?t do! The things he did behind the wheel of a car looked as if they were fake and out of a video game. The Best!!!! ?
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) January 3, 2023
Praying and hoping for Damar Hamlin. Thinking about Ken Block and his family too. ?
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) January 3, 2023
RIP to the original Hoonigan. I loved the Innovation Ken Block had with street cars. pic.twitter.com/D1nZTm7Uiu
— Ryan Preece (@RyanPreece_) January 3, 2023
Rip Ken Block. Sad for his family and friends
— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) January 3, 2023
Just seeing the news about Ken Block and I'm at a loss for words. A legend gone too early. Thoughts out to his family and friends
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) January 3, 2023
Went trough my workout this morning appreciating each and every breath, not taking any second for granted?heavy on my heart this morning are the families of Damar Hamlin and Ken Block ??????
— Daniel Hemric (@DanielHemric) January 3, 2023
Ken Block first burst onto the actions sports scene when he co-founded DC Shoes in 1994. After selling the company in 2004, Block transitioned into the next chapter of his career: rallying. During his time competing in Rally America and World Rally Championship, Block racked up a total of 22 wins and 40 podiums. He was also a five-time X Games medalist in RallyCross.
Block, who clearly had a knack for marketing and brand building, went on to co-found Hoonigan Industries. The automotive-centric clothing and lifestyle brand was started as "an entire subculture fueled on the shared passion of going fast and breaking things." Block also became a viral sensation thanks to his "Gymkhana" series on YouTube. The series, which primarily featured him stunt driving and drifting in various locations, garnered nearly 1 billion views.
For Block, racing was a family affair. In 2022, he raced the American Rally Association Championship alongside his wife, Lucy, and their 16-year-old daughter, Lia. In his final tweet, sent just hours before his death, Block teased an episode on his YouTube channel featuring Lia "tearing down, rebuilding and now driving her '85 Audi Ur Quattro."
"This year, Ken was so happy," renowned stunt performer and X Games champion Travis Pastrana told ESPN. "At the races, he was happy to be racing with Lucy and to have his daughter racing and to have his kids at most of the races. Few people get to the point in their lives where everything comes together, and to have it all taken away like this is devastating."
