On 2 January 2023, Kenneth Paul Block was killed in a snowmobile accident, aged 55.
Ken Block, Kenny G, or Kenny from the Block, will be remembered for many things. He built a shoe empire and sold it off to focus on building a new kingdom called Hoonigan Industries and getting the most out of life. Having now looked back at his career in rallying, it’s evident that Block was not in the same leagues as Sebastien Loeb, Colin McRae, Walter Rohrl, Carlos Sainz, or Ari Vatanen. Yet, he was infinitely more recognizable than any of these men.
Block lived life harder and got more out of it. He was an automotive constant and a reminder that we are all Hoonigans at heart. Though there isn’t a single dictionary in the world that has recognized the word, Block and the company he started came up with one that is equal parts trademark and lifestyle descriptor – Hoonigan. “A person who operates a motor vehicle in an aggressive and unorthodox manner, consisting of, but not limited to, drifting, burnouts, donuts, as well as acts of automotive aeronautics. One who hoons.”