For car enthusiasts the world over, 2023 hasn't exactly gotten off to a good start. Just a mere three days into the New Year, and an icon of the motorsport world, Ken Block tragically perished from a snowmobile accident.
Many of us have come to know of Ken Block through his first ever Gymkhana Practice video, which featured a Subaru Impreza WRX STI ripping up donuts and drifting in an airfield, producing an excellent soundtrack. Ken Block and his crew then went on to make even more impressive videos one after the other, featuring ludicrous high-horsepower purpose-built cars to provide the ultimate entertainment with cars. And with these videos, he has managed to captivate and inspire car enthusiast of all ages, and from all walks of lives.
Throughout his career, Ken Block and Hoonigan Industries have built some of the most awesome tyre-slaying machines. While the he is in a better place now, his spectacular vehicular performances and cars are a legacy that never dies. To remember Ken Block, here are five of our favourite machines that he has driven.
1. Hoonipigasus
The Hoonipigasus sports a one-off custom chassis and plenty of high-tech equipment for ultimate performance! With a livery paying homage to the Porsche 917/20 'Pink Pig', and ludicrous aero parts, the Hoonipigasus looks like the creation of a mad scientist who has gotten his hands on a 911.
But it is even more than just that! While it looks like a modified 911, the Hoonipigasus is actually a purpose-built special, which has a one-off chassis that was approved by Porsche. And unlike a typical 911, the insane flat-six engine that produces 1,380bhp is mounted in a rear-midship position.
On all aspects, the Hoonipigasus was built with one goal in mind - to set a new record at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. The car even has a suspension system that adjusts itself based on GPS telemetry from the previous year's Pikes Peak event, along with plenty of state-of-the-art components. Unfortunetly while the Hoonipigasus and Ken Block was poised to take the throne at the 100th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, alas, the engine gave out with a dropped valve causing catastrophic damage.
If not for his untimely demise, we wonder how much more development the Hoonipigasus would have seen, and what kind of record Ken Block would have made.
2. Hoonigan Ford Escort Mk2 RS
Underneath the bonnet is a legendary Millington Diamond Series II that are known to rev to sky high rpms While Ken Block's completed Ford Escort Mk2 RS was introduced to everyone sometime in 2015, it was actually his first Ford rally car that has been with him since 2008. As with all of his cars, this Ford Escort was a really special build.
Powering it, is a 2.5-litre Millington Diamond Series II engine, which was built in England. Based on the legendary Ford Cosworth YB turbo engine, the Millington Racing Engines has actually got rid of the power adder, in favor of unrestricted individual throttle bodies. As a result, the Millington engine is a naturally aspirated beast that produces 328bhp and has a rev limit of 9,000rpm!
Every other part of the car has also been built to match the engine. There are carbon-Kevlar seats, a rollcage, extensive chassis preparation and other race car bits as well. On the exterior, the Escort was treated to a similarly radical approach in customisation. The fenders have been generously widened with a TRA Kyoto Rocket Bunny kit which are now filled with wide Fifteen52 wheels. While this is likely one of the lowest powered car in his stable, we can only imagine how wild it would have felt like to drive it.
3. Ford Fiesta Gymkhana3
Ken Block's first Ford Gymkhana star left a deep impression on those who have watched Gymkhana Three The Ford Fiesta Gymkhana3 is the hero car of Ken Block's Gymkhana Three video, uploaded some 12 years ago and has since amassed 69 million views.
Featuring a black and white drip Monster Energy livery, this iconic Ford Fiesta packs even more power than Ken Block's past Subaru. Built by Olsbergs Motorsport Evolution, the Gymkhana3 Fiesta is powered by a purpose-built Olsbergs' engine that is capable of 850bhp, but is restricted to 650bhp.
While 650bhp might not seem like plenty when you consider Ken Block’s other rides, the Gymkhana3 Fiesta is able to complete the century sprint in merely two seconds! I still remember the day Gymkhana3 came out, and I was watching it on YouTube at my part-time job, totally captivated by the highly-skilled manoeuvres that were performed in this recognisable Fiesta.
4. Hoonicorn RTR Version 2
With two turbos sticking out, 1,380bhp and Ken Block behind the wheel, the Hoonicorn V2 made the most flamboyant run up Pikes Peak ever The original Hoonicorn was a wild 1965 Mustang with a tubular chassis, all-wheel-drive and a crazy V8 that puts out 833bhp and almost 1,000Nm of torque. Much like the Hoonipigasus, the original Hoonicorn was a purpose-built machine that offered earth-shattering performance.
But it clearly wasn't enough for Ken Block, he needed the machine to put out even more power. And that's how the Hoonicorn V2, which was the star of Ken Block's Climbkhana video - where he drifted the car up Pikes Peak - was born.
The Hoonicorn V2 is fuelled by methanol and has two large turbochargers sticking out of its bonnet, putting out a flame-spitting 1,380bhp. Ken Block said that it was the most frightening vehicle that he has ever driven, and if you have watched the Climbkhana video, you'll understand why.
5. 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
This mild-looking Impreza WRX STI was the one that introduced many of us to Ken Block and his driving technique This Subaru Impreza WRX STI is the one that started it all, and hence will always have a place in the hearts of Ken Block's fans.
Starring in the first ever Gymkhana video that popularised Ken Block, this is a rather mild-looking Impreza STI that looks more like a modified street car than the purpose-built machines that we now associate the Gymkhana star with. However, beneath its tame exterior, is a powerful engine that made 636bhp (530whp).
Uploaded way back in 2008, the title of the video was simply titled 'DC SHOES: KEN BLOCK GYMKHANA PRACTICE'. And there wasn't any fancy soundtrack, just the raw unadulterated noises that the Impreza WRX STI made while drifting around an empty airfield, captured by GoPro cameras. Then there's the iconic scene of Ken Block doing donuts around a moving Segway, a bit that was reprised in most of his later videos as well.
Thanks for the years of spectacular performances and positive influences toward car culture. Race In Peace, legend.
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Many of us have come to know of Ken Block through his first ever Gymkhana Practice video, which featured a Subaru Impreza WRX STI ripping up donuts and drifting in an airfield, producing an excellent soundtrack. Ken Block and his crew then went on to make even more impressive videos one after the other, featuring ludicrous high-horsepower purpose-built cars to provide the ultimate entertainment with cars. And with these videos, he has managed to captivate and inspire car enthusiast of all ages, and from all walks of lives.
Throughout his career, Ken Block and Hoonigan Industries have built some of the most awesome tyre-slaying machines. While the he is in a better place now, his spectacular vehicular performances and cars are a legacy that never dies. To remember Ken Block, here are five of our favourite machines that he has driven.
1. Hoonipigasus
But it is even more than just that! While it looks like a modified 911, the Hoonipigasus is actually a purpose-built special, which has a one-off chassis that was approved by Porsche. And unlike a typical 911, the insane flat-six engine that produces 1,380bhp is mounted in a rear-midship position.
On all aspects, the Hoonipigasus was built with one goal in mind - to set a new record at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. The car even has a suspension system that adjusts itself based on GPS telemetry from the previous year's Pikes Peak event, along with plenty of state-of-the-art components. Unfortunetly while the Hoonipigasus and Ken Block was poised to take the throne at the 100th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, alas, the engine gave out with a dropped valve causing catastrophic damage.
If not for his untimely demise, we wonder how much more development the Hoonipigasus would have seen, and what kind of record Ken Block would have made.
2. Hoonigan Ford Escort Mk2 RS
Powering it, is a 2.5-litre Millington Diamond Series II engine, which was built in England. Based on the legendary Ford Cosworth YB turbo engine, the Millington Racing Engines has actually got rid of the power adder, in favor of unrestricted individual throttle bodies. As a result, the Millington engine is a naturally aspirated beast that produces 328bhp and has a rev limit of 9,000rpm!
Every other part of the car has also been built to match the engine. There are carbon-Kevlar seats, a rollcage, extensive chassis preparation and other race car bits as well. On the exterior, the Escort was treated to a similarly radical approach in customisation. The fenders have been generously widened with a TRA Kyoto Rocket Bunny kit which are now filled with wide Fifteen52 wheels. While this is likely one of the lowest powered car in his stable, we can only imagine how wild it would have felt like to drive it.
3. Ford Fiesta Gymkhana3
Featuring a black and white drip Monster Energy livery, this iconic Ford Fiesta packs even more power than Ken Block's past Subaru. Built by Olsbergs Motorsport Evolution, the Gymkhana3 Fiesta is powered by a purpose-built Olsbergs' engine that is capable of 850bhp, but is restricted to 650bhp.
While 650bhp might not seem like plenty when you consider Ken Block’s other rides, the Gymkhana3 Fiesta is able to complete the century sprint in merely two seconds! I still remember the day Gymkhana3 came out, and I was watching it on YouTube at my part-time job, totally captivated by the highly-skilled manoeuvres that were performed in this recognisable Fiesta.
4. Hoonicorn RTR Version 2
But it clearly wasn't enough for Ken Block, he needed the machine to put out even more power. And that's how the Hoonicorn V2, which was the star of Ken Block's Climbkhana video - where he drifted the car up Pikes Peak - was born.
The Hoonicorn V2 is fuelled by methanol and has two large turbochargers sticking out of its bonnet, putting out a flame-spitting 1,380bhp. Ken Block said that it was the most frightening vehicle that he has ever driven, and if you have watched the Climbkhana video, you'll understand why.
5. 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Starring in the first ever Gymkhana video that popularised Ken Block, this is a rather mild-looking Impreza STI that looks more like a modified street car than the purpose-built machines that we now associate the Gymkhana star with. However, beneath its tame exterior, is a powerful engine that made 636bhp (530whp).
Uploaded way back in 2008, the title of the video was simply titled 'DC SHOES: KEN BLOCK GYMKHANA PRACTICE'. And there wasn't any fancy soundtrack, just the raw unadulterated noises that the Impreza WRX STI made while drifting around an empty airfield, captured by GoPro cameras. Then there's the iconic scene of Ken Block doing donuts around a moving Segway, a bit that was reprised in most of his later videos as well.
Thanks for the years of spectacular performances and positive influences toward car culture. Race In Peace, legend.
Here are some other stories that may interest you!
Classic cars that deserve all the respect they get
These are some of the best RWD cars in Singapore right now
Who says all cars need to be fully electric? Here are some cars that are perfectly fine having an internal combustion engine
Track day special - what is it, and why do we want one?
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