Who is Ken Block?

Ken Block can only be described as a legend or more accurately an icon in the world of action sports. He is internationally renowned for his prowess in rally racing and gymkhana driving skills. He is also recognized in the business world as the founder of DC shoes which is a leading name in skateboard footwear.

Born on November 21, 1967 in Long Beach, California, Ken Block, or Blockie as he is known in the racing circles, is a top driver in the Hoonigan Racing Division, previously called Monster World Rally Team. He began his national rallying career in 2005 as a member of the Vermont Sports Car Team in a Subaru WRX STi. His debut rallying event in 2005 was the SnoDrift rally where finished 5th in Group N Class and seventh overall. In the 2005 season, he was placed third overall in Group N Class. He also achieved 5 top five finishes that season. He was awarded the Rally America Rookie of the Year award in his first year of rallying.

Ken Block teamed up with Travis Pastrana, a DC rally teammate in 2006 and signed a sponsorship deal with Subaru which was popularly known as the Subaru Rally Team USA. It was in this same year that he first competed in the X Games rally where he finished third scooping the bronze medal. He also competed in the Rally America National Championship in the same year where he finished second overall. In 2007, Ken Block won a silver medal in the year’s X Games XIII rally and was placed third in the Rally America National Championship. He also competed in several rounds of the international World Rally Championship including Rally New Zealand and Rally Mexico.

The Subaru USA factory driver switched to Ford in 2010 in pursuit of a high-profile position in the World Rally Championship. He continued the campaign throughout 2011 under the Monster World Rally Team label. His Ford Fiesta continues to show a great potential for speed though with a number of crashes. Ken Block is not only a three time X Games Rally medalist but has also achieved global fame in promotional efforts. A few examples of his promotional efforts include the Gymkhana Practice and Infomercial filming in 2009 for UK’s Top Gear show among others. He was also featured in a promotional infomercial in 2006 which involved a 171 foot jump for Stunt Junkies series’ episode. Ken Block is married and lives in Rancho Santa Fe, California.