Ken Block was an American professional rally driver and entrepreneur who co-founded DC Shoes.
He was born on November 21, 1967, in Long Beach, California, and died on January 2, 2023, in Wasatch County, Utah, at the age of 55.
Block was a professional rally driver with the Hoonigan Racing Division.
He won the Rally America Rookie of the Year award in 2005.
He also competed in the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the FIA ERX Supercar Championship.
Block co-founded DC Shoes, a footwear and clothing brand, and served as its Chief Brand Officer. He also founded the Hoonigan Racing Division.
He made appearances on TV shows and YouTube channels, including MotorTrend’s Ignition with Jonny Lieberman.
Block’s legacy extends beyond his achievements in rally driving and entrepreneurship.
He was known for his creative and daring driving style, which he showcased in the Gymkhana video seriesHe also inspired many people with his passion for cars and his entrepreneurial spirit.
Ken Block net worth
Block was an American professional rally driver and entrepreneur who had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death.
He earned his fortune as a co-founder of DC Shoes.
He also served as the company’s Chief Brand Officer. In March 2004, DC Shoes was acquired by Quicksilver for $87 million.
After selling his ownership of DC Shoes, he shifted his business focus to Hoonigan Industries, an apparel brand for auto enthusiasts, of which he was co-owner.
Ken Block death
Block died at the age of 55 in a snowmobile accident in Utah.
He was traversing a steep slope in the mountains of Utah’s Wasatch County when the snowmobile he was riding overturned and landed on top of him.
Although he was riding with a group of people, he was alone at the time of the incident.
Block’s Hoonigan Racing team confirmed his death in a statement on Instagram where he was described as a visionary, a pioneer and an icon.
He is survived by his wife, Lucy and three children.
Block was a sports marketing executive who became a pro rally driver and YouTube stuntman, and was best known for his “Gymkhana” videos.
He was a maverick, innovator, rally star, and above all, a family man.
His death was a shock to the motorsports world, and he will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and peers.
His eldest daughter, Lia, released an emotional statement on Instagram following her father’s tragic death, calling him her “best friend”.
The accident occurred in Utah’s Wasatch County, and the sheriff’s office said that Block was riding on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended and landed on top of him.
He was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.
Incidents of snowmobile accidents
A snowmobile is a motorized vehicle designed for winter travel and recreation on snow.
It is designed to be operated on snow and ice and does not require a road or trail, but most are driven on open terrain or trails.
Snowmobiling is a sport that many people have taken on as a serious hobby. Common brand names in the United States include Arctic Cat, Polaris Inc. and Ski-Doo.
The first snowmobile was assembled and successfully tested by Joseph Bombardier in 1935.
It was a vehicle with a sprocket wheel and a track drive system, and it was steered by skis.
The challenges of cross-country transportation in the winter led to the invention of the snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle specifically designed for travel across deep snow where other vehicles foundered.
Also known as snowmachines, motor sleds, motor sledges, skimobiles or snow scooters, snowmobiles have steerable runners at the front and tractor treads at the rear.
Snowmobiles can be used for a variety of purposes, including transportation, recreation and racing.
They are often used in areas with heavy snowfall, such as the northern United States, Canada, and Scandinavia.
While snowmobiling is a popular winter sport, accidents are all too common and can result in serious injuries or death.
Each year, snowmobile accidents produce approximately 200 deaths and 14,000 injuries.
Alcohol, excessive speed, poor judgment, and driver inexperience are cited as the most common causes of snowmobile accidents.
Children are also at risk of snowmobile injuries and fatalities.
Snowmobile accidents can result in orthopedic injuries, head injuries and spinal cord injuries.
To avoid snowmobile accidents, it is important to follow safety guidelines and use common sense.
Riders must always wear a helmet and other protective gear, never drink and drive a snowmobile and stay on designated trails and avoid areas with thin ice or other hazards.