Ken Block: Motorsports Titan, Trendsetter, Champion
From skate mogul to automotive icon, Ken Block solidified his place in as one of the world’s most accomplished overachievers–and a living legend to so many.
There’s only a few people on Earth who can say they have lived to create a successful empire with a household name. But there is only one who has created an undeniable brand not once, but multiple times within his lifetime–and lived to see them all flourish. Ken Block was more than a driver—he was a visionary, a master of controlled chaos who turned the act of driving into a working art form.
From the street to the race circuit, he dwelled on the horizon of physics and poetry with tons of tire-shredding, gravity-defying stunts and smoky donuts. And that is just one side of him.
An entrepreneur at heart, Block co-founded DC Shoes, leaving an imprint on skate culture before shifting gears into motorsports, where he would redefine the boundaries of what a rally car—and its driver—could do.
The Peterson Automotive Museum’s eponymously titled “The People’s Champ: The Impact of Ken Block,” is as much of an art biography as it is an exhibit. With the help of 43 Institute, Block’s vision of unlocking greatness and potential for those with dreams in the motosport space become truly manifest with an artistic lens. This exhibit, located in the Meyer Gallery on the second floor, is perhaps single-handedly the largest collection of Block’s cars all in one space at one time.
Here’s a sneak peek of some of the most memorable segments.
Gymkhana
With the release of Gymkhana: Practice, he didn’t just capture speed; he captured imaginations. His legendary drift sequences, precision slides, and fearless commitment to pushing the limits made him not just an icon but an inspiration, igniting a new era in automotive storytelling.
He used his rally racing career to bolster DC as brand, and as a result, the 2005 Subaru Impreza STI suddenly became every teenager’s dream drift car back in the late 2000s.
The intrepid maneuvering and slick tricks were very much insipired by the modern skateboarding scene, and the video became so popular that it spurned many sequels and spin-offs.
You can get an up close and personal look at every car used in the series–dirt and all!
‘Hoonipigasus’
A favorite of ours here at 6Speed, this 911 SVRSR is the world’s first AWD mid-engine vintage Porsche, and Block and BBi Autosport built it to compete in the 100th Pike’s Peak Hill Climb in 2022.
After stunning the world with “Climbkhana 1” in 2017, Hoonigan Racing Division knew they wanted to eventually come back to famed Colorado climb for a serious win.
The engine, originally from a twin-turbo flat-six out of a 2016 991 Porsche 911 GT3 R, was tuned to 1,400 horsepower (originally 500) with a 9,600 RPM redline, and has plenty of aero. The color is a clear nod to the original Porsche 1971 Porsche 917/20 “Pink Pig.”
To make it mid-engine, they designed a custom transfer case at the rear of the gearbox to power an eight-foot-long driveshaft running over the engine. As a result, the transmission tunnel—nicknamed the “Chorizo Tunnel”—passes through the cabin at shoulder height before connecting to the front axle. It even has active suspension that “adjusts” based on GPS location. Which is, of course, meant for the elevation changes on the climb.
‘Hoonicorn’
Block’s signature creation and “Hallmark” Gymkhana weapon of choice, the 1965 Mustang RTR “Hoonicorn” will forever be famed for both looks and it’s unbelievable achievements around the world.
When the rumors came out about a new car in the works from Hoonigan back in 2014, no one was ready for the naturally-aspirated behemoth he would unleash in Gymkhana 7. And to everyone’s amazement, this wasn’t just some one-off, 845-HP monster–it was a literal one-of-one work of art.
Besides being the world’s first AWD classic Mustang at the time, the bodywork, accents, custom suspension and unbelievably gigantic hi-ram poking out of the hood sent clear signals that this car is not just some straight line bully. It was an insanely-dialed in drift monster
And course, this was only the first version.
“V2” Hoonicorn saw a healthy 595 HP bump to 1,400 HP and 1,250 lbs-ft of torque after trading in the monolithic air intake for a custom methanol injection system and titanic Garrett GTX3584RS twin turbos. This the current and likely final iteration of the car today.
Ken Block: Forever a Legend
His legacy is etched in rubber and echoed in the hearts of those who marveled at his craft. Over the years, the Gymkhana series evolved into an adrenaline-fueled symphony, each installment amassing millions of views, turning Block into a motorsport folk hero. Yet, beyond the screeching tires and cinematic stunts, he was a builder of community—a man who turned his passion into a movement.
But also, a dedicated family man, above all else.
Source: PuroMotor
Family of Champions
Block’s wife, Lucy Block, and their daughter Lia have made impressive strides in motorsports. Lucy is an accomplished rally driver, having competed in over 30 rallies since her debut in 2009. In 2023, she raced in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, driving an electric Sierra Echo Block Edition and securing a 10th place division finish.
Lia Block, following closely in her father’s footsteps, has already built a strong racing resume at just 16. She competed in the 2023 Pikes Peak event with the powerful “Hoonipigasus” Porsche 911 in an exhibition run and races a Subaru BRZ in the American Rally Association series, earning a podium finish at the Oregon Trail Rally.
His beloved cars, from the monstrous Hoonicorn to rally-hardened classics, remain testaments to his relentless drive.
The world continues to celebrate him—not just for his fearless skills behind the wheel, but for his unwavering spirit, one that forever changed the way we see speed, storytelling, and the pursuit of the impossible.
“The People’s Champ: The Impact of Ken Block” runs throug October 2025, so be sure to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum soon!
Photos: Derin Richardson
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