He was successful business man that was able to fulfill his dreams. It was always exciting to watch him rallycross in the X game and Rally X. I didn't follow his gymkhana, but can appreciate the really cool builds and how he brought fans to Motorsports. It was also cool to see a American run in WRC.
I was devastated to hear about this. Ken took that sneaker-money and used it to do stuff most of us dream about...and maybe do a few days a year. He clearly had a knack for marketing & brand promotion. It must be awful for the people closest to him.
Gymkhana was game-changing. The fact he wasn't just a stunt driver, but pursued rally at the highest levels is noteworthy.
Yeah, we lost one of the good ones. RIP Kenny from the Block.
Always freaks me out a bit when they die and are younger than me.
How many threads about this are there?
There was a short tribute to Ken Block at the end of the Dakar rally daily highlights over on Motorsport.com. He was so much more than some rich guy who liked to play with cars. RIP
Toebra said:
Always freaks me out a bit when they die and are younger than me.
How many threads about this are there?
Too many and too few.
Too many, he should still be alive.
Too few, a champion this good deserves this much recognition and more.
It really reminds me of Nicky Hayden in Italy. Way before his time and universally liked among his fans and his peers.
In reply to Gettingoldercarguy :
Very well put–all of it.
I don't think I will be able to restate better than what I posted earlier this week on The Book of Faces so here it is... TLDR - I am going to miss the hell out of Ken Block's presence in this world.
"Like 8.1 million other citizens of planet “Instaplace”, I followed Ken Block. In fact I created my account solely to follow him and select few others. I had always hoped to meet the man. Maybe one day by some chance of fate. I got the feeling he was approachable. I could wax poetic about how much Ken Block meant to motorsports and to “our scene” and it would all be true. What really impressed me most was not his driving prowess nor his amazing cars, but that Ken did everything with and for his family. Looking at his posts his family was always at the center of it all Racing ... Family… Snow Boarding… Family...Boating… Family…Cars… Family. Ken Block was a devoted Husband and Father above and beyond anything else. I cannot fathom their loss and I wish them all the peace this world can offer. Looking at the out pouring of love and respect everywhere online is proof enough of Ken’s legacy. The man touched the lives of millions by doing things we all wished we could do and taking us all along for the ride like we belonged to the club. I will miss his presence in the world very much."