Athletes and sports figures who have died in 2023
The notable athletes, broadcasters, and sports figures we’ve lost so far in 2023.
Tag: Ken Block
Documentary film follows Block’s Pikes Peak tribute run
Lucy Block’s run at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been documented in a new short film. Partnering with SIERRA Cars, Block took to the Colorado mountain in the summer in tribute to her husband, the late Ken Block, who had been …
Lucy Block’s run at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been documented in a new short film.
Partnering with SIERRA Cars, Block took to the Colorado mountain in the summer in tribute to her husband, the late Ken Block, who had been set to run there after an aborted attempt in 2022.
“43 Fortitude: A Continuing Legacy,” filmed and edited by Judson Pryanovich, offers a behind-the-scenes look at Block’s run, from making the decision to compete in the first place, right through to the build-up and the event itself, where she was joined by her daughter Lia who demonstrated the “Hoonipigasus” Porsche that Ken Block entered in the 2022 hillclimb, only to have engine issues thwart his plans.
“Our family loves racing, it’s part of who we are,” said Lucy Block. “This documentary captures that, while showing fans at home the story of how we made it to the top.”
SIERRA Cars founder Cole Powelson added, “Getting Lucy to the top in our new EV system and with so much on the line will be forever ingrained in my memory.
“This is the most emotion I’ve ever put into one race. It’s bittersweet to watch it back, but we’re proud to have played a role in Lucy’s tribute, and to share this story with friends and fans, who are as inspired by the Block family as we are.”
Hoonigan launches Ken Block’s final video, ‘Electrikhana TWO: The Mexico City Sessions’
In November of 2022, Ken Block and the Hoonigan team headed to Mexico City to film the next installment of the Electrikhana series with the Audi S1 Hoonitron. Just over one month later, Block’s tragic passing meant that the project was shelved – …
In November of 2022, Ken Block and the Hoonigan team headed to Mexico City to film the next installment of the Electrikhana series with the Audi S1 Hoonitron. Just over one month later, Block’s tragic passing meant that the project was shelved — until today, with the launch of “Electrikhana TWO: The Mexico City Sessions” on the Hoonigan YouTube channel.
Block, the Hoonigans and Audi continue pushing the limits of what’s possible in the performance EV world, sliding through iconic areas of Mexico City in Block’s infamously aggressive, rally-inspired driving style. Improving the car immediately after the first film, Block and Audi built on important development lessons from their experience in Las Vegas.
The all-electric Audi S1 Hoonitron has seen a range of performance improvements, as the Audi Sport engineering team worked with Block to modify the drivetrain to better serve his aggressive-yet-precise style of driving in the Gymkhana films. One of the biggest improvements comes from the “simulated gears” feature, programming multiple levels of wheel speed on the electric motors, controlled with a paddle shifter. Allowing for much more controlled slides and precise donuts, this was a major development over the car’s form in the previous Electrikhana film where a small jab of the throttle meant a jump from 15mph to over 120mph of wheel speed, instantly.
Additionally, Block wanted to explore all-new driving features made possible with an EV drivetrain, such as opposite-driven wheels for a standing AWD burnout, instant switching from all-wheel to rear-wheel drive, “differential” tuning to influence chassis balance, as well as the ability to shift into reverse at any speed. Each of these features are put to the test in the new film.
Shot in and around Mexico City, Block launches the Hoonitron out of the world’s largest bullring, Plaza de Toros. From there, it’s an all-access trip through iconic areas of the city, with tricks around the Museo Soumaya, a big clincher moment with a slide past JUCA (one of Mexico’s biggest automotive content creators), and ending with a session in and around the Benito Juárez International Airport. It’s capped off with a nostalgic Gymkhana tribute throughout the credits.
Watch below or click HERE to watch on YouTube.
Ken Block’s final Gymkhana film set for December release
Almost a year after his death in a snowmobile accident, Hoonigan and Audi will release the final Ken Block film, Electrikhana TWO. Following on from 2022’s Electrikhana (pictured), which until now was believed to be the final Ken Block film, …
Almost a year after his death in a snowmobile accident, Hoonigan and Audi will release the final Ken Block film, Electrikhana TWO.
Following on from 2022’s Electrikhana (pictured), which until now was believed to be the final Ken Block film, Electrikhana TWO will feature the World Rally and Rallycross veteran tearing up Mexico City in the all-electric Audi S1 Hoonitron.
[lawrence-related id=315070]
In a trailer video posted on YouTube, Block can be seen launching from the Plaza de Toros, drifting around roundabouts, and charging around the grounds of Mexico City International Airport in a nod to the early Gymkhana films.
It is the second Block film to be shot in Mexico after Gymkhana TEN, which featured a Ford Focus RS RX (and a Can-Am Maverick X3 XRS turbo in a spin-off video) on the streets of Guanajuato, and comes after the Hoonitron’s debut last year, in which Block took to Las Vegas.
Electrikhana in Vegas was Block’s first collaboration with Audi, with which he joined forces to work on electric projects after his 11-year relationship with Ford came to an end. The Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron was the first car to result from the collaboration, and followed in the footsteps of the Projekt E Ford Fiesta he raced in 2020 and the Extreme E Odyssey 21 which he tested in the same year.
After Electrikhana – and now Electrikhana TWO – the car made its public debut in the hands of nine-times Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
But nearly two years after the car was revealed for the first time, Audi is still keeping its cards close to its chest, although we know it can launch into a 93 mph donut from a standstill in an instant – because Ken Block – while Block himself speculated that development of the car cost eight figures, its laser headlights alone are said to have cost $300,000.
Electrikhana TWO will arrive in December. You can watch the trailer below.
Lia Block to race in Extreme E
Lia Block will join the Extreme E field from this weekend’s Island X Prix in Sardinia, joining Carl Cox Motorsport to contest the all-electric off-road series. Block, daughter of rallying and Gymkhana legend Ken Block, will drive alongside two-time …
Lia Block will join the Extreme E field from this weekend’s Island X Prix in Sardinia, joining Carl Cox Motorsport to contest the all-electric off-road series.
Block, daughter of rallying and Gymkhana legend Ken Block, will drive alongside two-time DTM champion and World Rallycross regular Timo Scheider, replacing Extreme E veteran Christine Giampaoli Zonca in the team which secured its first podium at the third round of the season in Scotland in May.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5858]
“I am thrilled to be making my Extreme E debut at the next round in Sardinia for the Island X Prix,” said Block. “It is a huge opportunity to race for Carl Cox Motorsport and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel and out on the course.
“I am eager to do my best for the team and score some good results. “I am really looking forward to working alongside Timo, who I have known for years, and the rest of the team — it is going to be my first race outside of the USA, and up against so many big names in the sport, but I am looking forward to the challenge and keen to get started.”
Carl Cox Motorsport team principal Alon Shulman added, “You can only be impressed with Lia’s determination and skill behind the wheel, and be excited by her natural ability and potential. We’re delighted that she has joined the team and are looking forward to welcoming her to the Carl Cox Motorsport paddock in Sardinia.”
While only 16, Block has already built up an impressive driving resume. This year she has been contesting the Open two-wheel-drive class of the American Rally Association National series this year alongside Rhianon Gelsomino. She started the season with a second in class at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, and has since taken three consecutive class wins at the Olympus Rally, Oregon Trail Rally and Southern Ohio Forest Rally.
She also made her Nitrocross NEXT debut last month in Oklahoma (pictured above), having previously competed in the series’ Sierra Car and Side-by-Side classes. She won on the road in the second round of the 2023-24 season opener, only to be excluded post-race for rejoining the track in an unsafe manner after early race contact.
Block’s Extreme E debut also continues a long-running relationship between the family and the series, with Ken Block being one of the first to drive the series’ Odyssey 21 race car when he gave it its first competitive public outing at the 2020 Dakar rally.
“We are delighted that Lia will be making her Extreme E debut in Sardinia,” said Extreme E’s chief championship officer James Taylor. “Lia is a huge motorsport talent and her career to date has been extremely impressive. She will join a world-class group of drivers on the Extreme E roster, but I am sure will not be daunted out on the course.
“Lia’s arrival into Extreme E is a particularly evocative moment for us given her father, Ken, was the first driver to race our car, when he raced a stage of the 2020 Dakar Rally.”
Block’s addition to the Extreme E field makes her the youngest driver to race in the series, usurping fellow American Amanda Sorensen who debuted aged 20 earlier this season. She will also be the second high-profile driver addition for this weekend after reigning champion Sebastien Loeb was confirmed to be making a one-off return in place of Nasser Al-Attiyah, who is contesting the Baja World Cup on the same weekend.
Lia Block to take next step in rallycross career
Lia Block will continue to follow in her father’s footsteps by contesting the second-tier Nitrocross NEXT category at this weekend’s Visions off-road festival in Oklahoma. The late rally driver’s eldest child has already competed on the Nitrocross …
Lia Block will continue to follow in her father’s footsteps by contesting the second-tier Nitrocross NEXT category at this weekend’s Visions off-road festival in Oklahoma.
The late rally driver’s eldest child has already competed on the Nitrocross bill, racing in the short-lived Sierra Cars class – taking third place on her debut – and the side-by-side category over the last two seasons, but this will be the 16-year-old’s highest-profile rallycross foray to-date.
[lawrence-related id=328349]
“I’m so excited to compete in Nitrocross this season. I’ve gotten a taste of the intense, door-to-door action that Travis and Nitro Circus have cooked up, especially racing side-by-sides last year,” she said. “Now, I look forward to the challenge of stepping things up and battling in the NEXT class against other talent from around the world. This is a true dream come true, after watching my dad race rallycross from such a young age.”
Block will drive for Olsbergs MSE, a world-leading rallycross outfit that not only built the RX Lites car she will be racing in the single-make category, but a number of her father’s early Ford race cars, including the Gymkhana 3 Fiesta.
While best-known as a rally driver at both domestic and World level, Ken Block also competed in rallycross. He was a six-time winner in the Global Rallycross series, won on his only European Rallycross outing, and scored two podiums in the World Rallycross championship.
Lia meanwhile has been making waves in the American Rally Association National series this year, driving a Subaru BRZ alongside Rhianon Gelsomino in the Open two-wheel-drive class. After taking second in class at the season-opening Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, she’s taken three consecutive class wins at the Olympus Rally, Oregon Trail Rally, and Southern Ohio Forest Rally.
Lia will also demonstrate her father’s ‘Hoonipigasus’ Porsche at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, while her mother Lucy will compete in a Sierra Echo EV.
Lia Block to drive ‘Hoonipigasus’ at Pikes Peak
Lia Block, daughter of the late Ken Block, will drive the “Hoonipigasus” Porsche at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Ken Block was scheduled to drive the 1,400 horsepower, four-wheel-drive machine at last year’s hillclimb, which would …
Lia Block, daughter of the late Ken Block, will drive the “Hoonipigasus” Porsche at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
Ken Block was scheduled to drive the 1,400 horsepower, four-wheel-drive machine at last year’s hillclimb, which would have been his first start in the event since 2005. Unfortunately, engine failure in the lead-up curtailed the plans, and with Block’s death in January, hopes of a competitive run for the car were all but ended.
However, Lia, who at 16 is oldest of the rally driver’s three children, will take the car up the mountain in a non-competitive ‘tribute run’ in June, and Hoonigan – the automotive lifestyle clothing and media brand started by her father – has hinted that a future entry into the famous hillclimb event could be on the cards.
“The tribute run will not be timed, as Lia admits that it will take a substantial amount of training to pilot a race car of that caliber up one of the world’s most intimidating hill climb races – something she aims to accomplish in the future,” said Hoonigan in a statement. “However, Lia’s goal for this year is to honor her father Ken Block’s vision of taking the Hoonipigasus to the top of Pikes Peak; while giving the fans the sights and sounds of the ultimate Porsche 911 racecar build.”
The Hoonipigasus – an amalgamation of Block’s Hoonigan brand, Mobil 1’s Pegasus motif, and the 1971 Porsche 917/20 “pink pig” that raced at Le Mans and provides the inspiration for the car’s livery – reportedly started life as a 1966 Porsche 912 and was built in collaboration with Porsche specialists BBi Autosport, which has been behind other Porsches that have raced at Pikes Peak in the past.
As well as the substantial ramp-up in power for the 911-derived four-liter twin-turbo flat-six – which is mid-mounted – and a drop in weight to just 1,000 kg thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber, the car also has suspension that is adjusted in real-time by GPS using data from previous Pikes Peak runs.
Ahead of the Pikes Peak appearance, the Hoonipigasus will be on display this Sunday at the Air | Water event at Luftgekuhlt 9 in Vallejo, CA, on Sunday, April 30.
Lia, meanwhile, has been carrying on her father’s legacy in motorsport with occasional appearances in Nitro Rallycross’ side-by-side class, and by contesting stage rallies in the U.S.
Last weekend she finished first in the Open 2-wheel-drive class and seventh overall at the Olympus Rally, driving a Subaru BRZ alongside Rhiannon Gelsomino. Her mother Lucy has also continued to compete in rallies, and finished fourth at Olympus in the Limited 4-wheel-drive class (10th overall) in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 alongside Alex Gelsomino, who was Ken Block’s co-driver for nearly two decades.
Nitro Rallycross names championship trophy in honor of Ken Block
Nitro Rallycross will award the champion of its headline Group E class the “Ken Block Championship Trophy” in tribute to the late rally driver. Block, who was a competitor in Nitro RX’s early days as well as the two series that preceded it, Global …
Nitro Rallycross will award the champion of its headline Group E class the “Ken Block Championship Trophy” in tribute to the late rally driver.
Block, who was a competitor in Nitro RX’s early days as well as the two series that preceded it, Global Rallycross — where he was a six-time winner — and Americas Rallycross, lost his life in a snowmobile accident on January 2.
“It is amazing that Nitro has honored Ken with the Nitro RX championship trophy,” said Lucy Block, Ken’s wife, who is an accomplished rally driver in her own right and will be contesting this weekend’s Rally in the 100 Acre Wood in Missouri alongside daughter Lia.
“Ken not only loved competing in rallycross, but he was a huge supporter of the sport. He was friends with many of the drivers in the paddock and would have loved to have seen them battle in the finale this weekend.”
[lawrence-related id=315070,315041]
The trophy will be awarded for the first time this weekend, with the series’ 2022-23 season set to conclude with a tripleheader event at Glen Helen Raceway in California.
“Ken was an amazing friend, and it was a privilege to know his family,” added Travis Pastrana, reigning Nitro RX champion and a close friend of the Block family. “His impact on rallycross — on motorsports, overall — cannot be overstated. In addition to his incredible driving, he ran races and gave opportunities to so many people, including myself, to progress and achieve our dreams.
“He was instrumental in building rally and Nitro Rallycross in America. His Gymkhana series put an exclamation mark on the fun and excitement that was possible behind the wheel. This award recognizes his contribution to the sport and celebrates his legacy.”