Rally driver and automotive car culture icon Ken Block has been killed aged 55 in a snowmobile accident in Utah.
The news was initially reported on the official social media channels of Hoonigan, the race team and brand created by Block himself. Along with a request for his family’s privacy, the Hoonigan statement reads:
“It’s with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today. Ken was a visionary, a pioneer, and an icon. And most importantly, a father and a husband. He will be incredibly missed.”
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office in Utah confirmed that Block, who had very recently posted images from his ranch in the county showing deep snow, had been involved in a rollover accident with a snowmobile and died from the injuries sustained.
Block was famous to legions of motorsport enthusiasts for his wild car builds and Gymkhana stunt videos which featured in many of them, including the Hoonicorn Mustang and Hoonitruck F-150. These also appear as playable vehicles in Forza Horizon games and Forza Motorsport 7, along with several other Gymkhana star vehicles.
Gymkhana 10 was Block’s last appearance in the series, with Travis Pastrana taking over driving duties and the Hoonicorn Mustang heading to his eldest daughter Lia Block.
Having switched to partner Audi, Block became one of the few people to drive the electric Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo, and had recently been promoting an upcoming video featuring an Audi Quattro build for Lia.
Block leaves behind his wife Lucy and their three children, including Lia.
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