R.I.P Ken Block (1967-2023)

Dear motorsport fans

This is a piece of sad and shocking news about this rally & gymkhana driver who got killed in a snowmobile crash, which happened nearly a decade after Allan Simonsen (Le Mans and V8 Supercars racer) got killed in a car crash during 24 Hours of Le Mans 2013 race event while he was racing for Team Aston Martin Racing's Vantage GTE in GTE Am class, Paul Walker (Fast & Furious star) was killed in a car crash while riding in Roger Rodas' Porsche Carrera GT during a charity event and Michael Schumacher (Formula 1 racer) had a skiing accident (Still in a coma).

Also, about 7 years and 6 months after Jules Bianchi (Formula 1 racer) died in a coma about 9 months after his car crash during F1 Japan Grand Prix 2014, 3 years and 10 months after Niki Lauda (Retired Formula 1 racer) passed away from his sleep and almost 3 years after John Andretti (Retired NASCAR racer) passed away from cancer.

He is one of my biggest idols of all time along with other deceased legendary motorsport racers that I really missed following are:

• Ayrton Senna (Formula 1 racer)
• James Hunt (Formula 1 racer)
• Niki Lauda (Formula 1 racer)
• Colin McRae (WRC driver)
• Richard Burns (WRC driver)
• Peter Brock (Australian Touring Car Championship/V8 Supercars racer)
• Dan Wheldon (IndyCar racer)
• Dale Earnhardt (NASCAR racer)

So here are the news articles that I've found:

• Ken Block killed in snowmobile crash (motorsport.com)
• Ken Block dies in snowmobile accident - Speedcafe

Ok we need to put 2023 on hold already, it's insane how many highly public accidents and deaths have happened already.

That's awful, he was really talented.

Yeah, it's very unfortunate when this occurs as nobody expected it to happen.

This guy also made me really love Ford Fiesta motorsport cars since 2010 plus he made me get into the Monster Energy drink brand as well, anyway, there are other motorsport contestants (Still living) being sponsored by Monster Energy that I really like are:

• Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1 racer)
• George Russell (Formula 1 racer)
• Cameron Waters (V8 Supercars/Supercars Championship racer)
• Valentino Rossi (GT World Challenge Europe racer and former MotoGP racer)
• Daigo Saito (D1 Grand Prix drifter)
• Vaughn Gittin Jr (Formula Drift contestant)

Damn. He's been by far one of the highest profile drift/rally drivers in the past decade or more. Massive loss.

I agree and I hope Lia Block (His daughter) will have a good future since she is currently a motorsports contestant. She may be able to become a rally/race car mechanic/tuner after one of the mechanics taught her, which can be seen in this video.

Edit: I always prefer rally cars and circuit spec race cars to any tuned-up street cars.

RIP.

I don’t follow motorsport that closely, but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Block’s voice as one of the drivers that chirps at you over the radio in Dirt 2. That game is pretty much the reason I know his name.

It’s sad to think such a talented guy died in such a tragic accident.

@bisonhero: I remembered he said "I'm Ken Block and this is Colin McRae: DiRT 2" on the start screen as well.

Also, this game made me get to know other real drivers including Mohammed Ben Sulayem (Current FIA Present).

Dang this one stings. Been following him for like 15 years at this point. I'm not a big car nut or anything but I'd always be curious what Ken was doing. Some friends and I actually lived in Wanaka NZ in 2008, and snowboarded a bunch at Snow Park(closed in 2013, sadly) a year after Ken filmed the snow jumps there. Snow Park itself was pretty rad but it was extra cool when your looking at pics in a magazine and its Ken at the spot you're currently at.

Ken was fearless and determined. A true legend, indeed.

Really sad news. I'll always have super fond memories of watching that dude just absolutely whip the shit out of some stunt courses, felt like he could make cars move in ways few are able to. RIP.

Here are the tribute videos of him that I found on YouTube and going to share in this thread.