Industry News
Competitive rally driver Kenneth Block died in a snowmobile accident near his ranch in Woodland, Utah, at the age of 55 on January 2, 2023. Ken was an American rally driver with the Hoonigan Racing Division, formerly known as Monster World Rally Team, and competed in series such as Rally America, World Rally Championships, FIA ERX Supercar Championships, and Global Rallycross. He received worldwide fame through his YouTube series “Gymkhana.”
Around 2 p.m. on Monday, the Wasatch County 911 Center received an emergency call from the Mill Hollow area, reporting a snowmobile accident. Ken had been riding his snowmobile up a steep slope when the vehicle flipped, landing on top of him. All aid was too late, and he was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries sustained in the accident. The State Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death.
Block was a confident and able snowmobile rider and had recently undertaken a trip with Skidoo brand ambassador Tony Jenkins to Island Park, ID. Tony Jenkins posted on social media, “Doesn’t even seem real, but it is. The world has lost an amazing human,” sharing pictures of their trip before Christmas.
The rallying world is reeling from the loss of such an extraordinary and talented personality. Ken had competed in many other action sports as well, including skateboarding and snowboarding. He had co-founded DC shoes and later sold it to focus on his company Hoonigan Industries, an apparel brand for motorsport enthusiasts.
But above all, he leaves behind his beautiful family — his wife, Lucy, and their three children. Their oldest daughter Lia, 16, was racing for her father’s company Hoonigans. Ken’s last post on Instagram was an announcement about launching a video of his daughter Lia racing an ’85 Audi Ur Quattro she had rebuilt herself.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family.
