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F1 News
Rally driver Ken Block (55) dies after snowmobile accident
- GPblog.com
US rally driver and founder of shoe and clothing brand DC Shoes, Ken Block, died on Monday at the age of 55 after a snowmobile accident. Block was an influential figure in the more extreme branches of motorsport.
Block has died in the US state of Utah. Nu.nl reports that the American was making a steep descent on his snowmobile and the snowmobile overturned and landed on the driver. Block died on the spot. Block was immediately missed and his death caused a lot of upheaval in the car and motorsport world. His 'team' Hoonigan commemorates the American as a visionary, pioneer and icon.
Block, revolutionary in extreme sports
Block founded DC Shoes with Damon Way in the 1990s, but only started professional motorsport in the US rally championship in 2004. From then on, he worked with motorcyclist Travis Pastrana, among others, and he competed in the X Games (extreme sports championship) on several occasions. Block was known for seeking out action with motorised vehicles. Through his YouTube videos, the American showed Gymkhana action videos; impressive autocross footage.
Also by ESPN.com Block is described as a revolutionary in motorised (action) sport. Especially his way he portrayed extreme sports and how he regulated PR for these sports were groundbreaking and are seen as revolutionary. Block is remembered by his Nitro RallyCross teammate Steve Arpin: "Ken was a legend with his ability to turn a vision into reality. He created a true industry." Block was additionally a family man and leaves behind a wife and daughter.
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