Latest news with #KenBlock
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ken Block's daughter carries on his legacy: Racing prodigy Lia stars in new Netflix show F1 Academy two years after her father's death in tragic snowmobile accident
As the eldest daughter of one of the world's greatest rally legends, it's perhaps no surprise that Lia Block could reach the pedals of a car at the age of five and that her 'first love' was motorsports. And as she appears this week in new Netflix series, F1: The Academy, 18-year-old Lia, who is from Utah, certainly seems to be following in her father's footsteps. Ken Block was known globally for his ferocious driving packed with exhilarating stunts that were watched by tens of millions on his YouTube channels, as well as his prolific professional rallying career. But in November 2023, the action sports star, 55, met with tragedy when his snowmobile overturned and landed on top of him in Utah, and he died at the scene. Then aged just 16, Lia was left heartbroken, writing in an emotional tribute that she'd lost her 'whole world' - her 'best friend', as well as her father. Having grown up travelling around the world as she watched him in race paddocks, Lia was forced to continue her motorsports journey without her beloved mentor. Despite facing such a devastating loss, she's gone from strength to strength, having been crowned the youngest American Rally Association Champion in 2023 at just 17 and has now traded in the world of off-road racing for the challenge of open wheel with Williams. Appearing in the first episode of the new F1 Academy, the racing prodigy reflected on her special relationship with her father now that she's following in his footsteps - though admitted she wishes she could just be a 'race-car driver' without all the pressures of social media. 'My dad was a race-car driver as well in Rallycross,' Lia explained and admitted she now understands why he found it so 'tiring'. She said: 'Motorsports is definitely my first love. When I was like, five or six, I was like, "hey Dad, look, I can touch the pedals". 'Watching my dad being in race paddocks, it was a big part of my life. I think it just made me know, "oh yes, this is actually what I want to do." Lia was 15 when she did her first rally, winning each one and eventually won the championship - becoming the first woman to ever do so. 'Yeah, I'm a girl, and I can still beat you,' she told viewers, demonstrating her father's fierce spirit. In the series, Lia joins Susie Wolff, a former professional driver and now managing director of F1 Academy, helping young women to enter the world of motorsport which, the series admits, is ' dominated by men '. Lia began karting for fun at five years old and sat behind the wheel of an off-road car by age ten. After traveling around the world with her father, Ken - the founder of the Hoonigan racing team and one of motorsport's most popular figures - she began showing interest in pursuing racing herself by the age of eleven. She said her father was her 'whole world' and her 'best friend' 'My dad always opened the doors for me, but never forced me to do anything,' she told in an interview last year. 'So I went off and tried every other sport I could, but eventually made it back to [motorsport] when I was about 10 or 11. 'So I think that made me want it even more because I had tried all these different things, but coming back to motorsport was truly like I knew what I wanted to do.' Once she decided to participate full-time, she went full throttle. At 11, she began competing in off-road series' and began rallying at 15. By age 16, she had won the American Rally Association Championship with two races in hand in a modified rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ. In addition to her rallying pursuits, she also raced in nitrocross as well as in the electric rallying series Extreme E. Other pursuits included winning her class in the Baja 1000 alongside her mother Lucy and racing her father's pink Porsche 911 dubbed the 'Hoonapigasus' up the Pikes Peak hill climb - before switching to open car for the F1 Academy. However, her father wasn't there to watch her transition from the world of rallying to open-wheelers after his tragic passing in a snowmobile accident in January of 2023. In November 2023, Williams approached her with an offer to join their driver academy - which she accepted. She joined ART Grand Prix for the 2024 season. Lia has continued to post photos of her father in his memory to Instagran She is equally as glamorous off the track as she is on racing day 'He was truly my whole world and the only person I ever looked up too,' Lia wrote in an emotional Instagram post the day after his passing. 'No matter what I did he was always there to support me. 'I can't believe how fast he was taken from all of us. No words can describe of how much of an amazing human my dad was, he lived so many lives, accomplished more in 55 years than most people could in 10 lifetimes, and lived his life to the absolute fullest every single day.' She added: 'I didn't just lose my father, I lost my best friend.' Just hours before the horrific accident in Utah, a proud Ken Block had boasted about his daughter Lia's achievements to his own Instagram followers. The motoring legend posted a picture of Lia next to a 1985 Audi Quattro that she had purchased and restored herself. The action star regularly boasted of his pride in his children to his eight million Instagram followers, particularly oldest daughter Lia and her motoring endeavours. Lia also previously competed on her father's Hoonigan Racing team. In his final Instagram post, Block said: 'The 4th and final episode of my 16-year-old daughter Lia buying, tearing down, rebuilding and now driving her '85 Audi Ur Quattro will be live at 8am PST tomorrow on my YouTube channel. She is pictured in the new Netflix series, which is available to stream now 'Will her newly-refinished vintage Audi finally do a donut?? Or will this old car break in the attempt? Tune in to find out!' In one of his most recent Instagram posts, Block had also shared his holiday trip surrounded by family in a snowy Canadian ski lodge. The former rallying pro had posted a family photo with his wife Lucy, and three children, including Lia as he wished his followers a 'merry Christmas from the Blocks'. Lia is still clearly close to her her mother Lucy, who appears alongside her in the Netflix show and regularly posts photographs with her younger siblings, Kira and Mika. Giving Lucy a shoutout for her birthday last month, Lia wrote: 'Happy birthday to my amazing mom. I love you so much and thank you for all that you do for me. I would never be in my position without your guidance and support.' Her mother replied: 'I can't wait to see you continue to crush your goals! You are a force! I love you. ❤️ thank you.' Outside of racing, Lia enjoys cycling and playing golf and working out. She's also kept up her snowmobiling hobby, despite her father's accident. Despite her newfound fame - Lia now boasts more than one million followers on Instagram - she remains humble, and is even shy of the camera. Lia Block of United States and ART Grand Prix (57) drives on track during F1 Academy Testing at Circuit Zandvoort on April 17, 2024 Speaking in the Netflix show, Lia admitted she hadn't even heard of Good Morning American until a 'few weeks ago' and had to ask her mother what it was. 'I never really wanted to be in front of the camera,' she said. 'If social media wasn't a thing, I would much rather just be a race-car driver.' In her interview with last year, she described the transition from rallying to open-wheelers as 'starting from the ground up again' and says that she only had accumulated 20 days behind the wheel before the first F1 Academy race in Jeddah. 'I felt like I knew nothing. Obviously, doing a bit of karting when I was younger, I wasn't completely oblivious, but it was still a very steep learning curve. 'And also coming from competing at the top of rally in the US and winning the Championship, I was used to winning. I wasn't used to being at the bottom. 'So it was quite different going to open-wheel racing and having to learn everything and everything be so new.' Lia said she's honored to be among the first generations of drivers to take part in the all-women's series and says that her fellow competitors are 'very experienced, and they've raced against men all their life and they know how to hold their own.' She does admit that she was surprised by the difference in experience on track, but says, 'it makes me more excited to keep learning because I want to surpass them.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Living with a 2023 Subaru WRX: The Affordable, Fun Daily Driver
Growing up watching superstar drivers like Colin McRae and Ken Block piloting Subarus like bats out of hell, my fondness for the Subaru brand–and, more specifically, the legendary WRX–was formed at a young age. In high school, I once submitted a poetry assignment that detailed the romantic joy of sliding a Subaru around in the snow before I had even earned my driver's license. When I eventually was old enough to drive, my first car was none other than a Subaru–a 2005 Legacy 2.5GT, to be exact, equipped with a 5-speed stick. Despite aggressively totaling that Legacy and damn near killing myself in the process, my adoration for Subarus prevailed, and I eventually wound up leasing a 2017 Subaru WRX, which I adored at first, but I quickly grew bored of it. I recall watching an episode of Regular Car Reviews, which described the WRX as not much more than a "fast Corolla", and that left a rotten taste in my mouth, sullying my appreciation for the speedy sedan. After a few years of driving Audis, Mazdas, Jaguars, and whatever else I could get my hands on, I found myself back in a Subaru dealership, wondering how long it would take me to get bored of this one. Why was I looking to purchase another WRX? Because the Toyota GR Corolla was too expensive, the Hyundai Elantra N was too "boy racer", and I'd have to wait at least six months to get ahold of a Volkswagen GTI with three pedals. Going for a WRX meant I could have all-wheel drive, 271 turbocharged horsepower, and a manual transmission, all for less money per month on a lease than a Honda Civic Si. Despite not being my top choice, the WRX's offer on paper was too good to pass up, even if I felt I'd eventually get bored. Fast forward to almost two years of ownership, and I have yet to grow weary of the VB-generation WRX's unique charm. It's not without fault, and we'll get to its imperfections–of which there are many–but ultimately, considering how relatively little it cost me, my WRX has been nothing but kind to me. I've had zero mechanical issues with it and haven't had to do any maintenance work other than the occasional fluid change and tire rotation. It's also been fantastically efficient for a turbocharged sports sedan that has been driven enthusiastically, averaging just below 23 miles per gallon over the course of about 22,000 miles. On the road, the 2023 WRX is leagues more enjoyable to drive than its predecessor, both in commuter traffic and on spirited jaunts through twisty coastal logging roads. The moment I set off on that initial test drive, I immediately clued into how different the clutch felt to press. If you've ever driven a Subaru built before 2020, you'll likely be familiar with how distinctly heavy their clutches are, despite engaging almost as soon as you begin to pull back your left foot off the floor. In the new WRX, however, the clutch's bite point exists almost directly in the middle of its range, and the spring is much lighter. That means when I'm sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, my calf isn't as sore when I get home, and when I'm rowing through the gears on a pull, my shifts are smoother and quicker. The way the turbocharged, horizontally-opposed boxer-four makes its way through the power band is more intuitive as well. Whereas the previous WRX uses a smaller, 2.0-liter engine, this one uses a 2.4. Although it doesn't make all that much more power than the old motor, the added displacement means the turbo doesn't have to work as hard, resulting in a far more linear journey toward its 6,100-rpm redline. The new motor also eliminates a known quirk found in the previous WRX and in the last-gen BRZ, wherein torque would suddenly dip in the middle of the rev range before eventually returning, apparently for the sake of emissions compliance, but at the detriment of consistent power output. There's one key element, however, where the older-generation WRX does come out on top, and that's the steering. For the current WRX, Subaru tossed away the heavy but communicative hydraulic steering system and replaced it with a new electronic power system. This was done for the sake of integrating Subaru's EyeSight active safety systems, but when equipped with a manual gearbox, the WRX is devoid of this system, leaving behind only the compromised steering feedback. It's not that the WRX's electronic steering is unintuitive or flimsy, but it's noticeably less driver-connected than the previous system. Despite the somewhat reduced steering feedback, the WRX's handling is like nothing else at its price point. Thanks to the engine's longitudinal orientation and low position, paired with Subaru's mechanical, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, a relatively short wheelbase, a curb weight of just 3,297 pounds, and sticky, standard Dunlop summer tires, the 2023 WRX absolutely shines on the best kinds of roads. Find a secluded route with some technical twists and exquisite views, and the WRX is an absolute blast to drive. Its power is responsive and on-demand, its clutch and shifter make each gear change a visceral pleasure, and the sheer amount of cornering grip will make you think you've become glued to the road. Unfortunately for the sake of modifications, I am shackled to a pesky lease agreement, so changing anything would be pointless and costly, but if I had the choice, there are certain details I'd like to adjust. First off, the exhaust. From the factory, it's far too quiet for the type of vehicle it is, and it could certainly benefit from being uncorked just a little, perhaps using Subaru's very own sports exhaust system. The WRX also comes equipped with summer tires despite being a rally-bred vehicle often advertised for driving through snow or on dirt trails. I'd love to throw a set of winter or all-weather tires onto the top-end WRX's 18-inch grey-painted wheels and pick up a set of 19-inch wheels from the WRX TR, wrapped in the appropriate summer sport tires, just for the sake of style and versatility. Other than that and a roof rack for extra cargo, it's perfect as it is in terms of performance and drivability. Compared to my previous WRX, this one looks far better inside. Gone is the fake carbon fiber on the dash (but still present on the door panels), and instead, it's been replaced with dark, steel-metallic accents. Red stitching, soft-touch materials, and a generally modernized design make the interior a space that's very pleasant to occupy, although its actual functions have become more annoying to use. Whether it was an attempt to clean up the interior design or simply to cut costs, nearly every control function has been relegated to the relatively massive central infotainment screen. Despite its size, the screen doesn't get too distracting once you get moving, but when you need to adjust certain things like the heat level of your seat warmers, you'll find yourself waiting for the submenus to load up for what used to just be a button. It's even more odd to me that the heated front seats, of all things, have been moved into submenus when the rear seats still have their own physical buttons for their heat functions. The sound system isn't all that great either if you're into that sort of thing. Personally, the quality of the sound system in my car is more important to me when it's my daily driver, because my music is left to entertain me more often than the car's performance is when I'm stuck doing ten under the speed limit. Even equipped with the upgraded factory Harman Kardon stereo system, my speakers will annoyingly rattle nearby body panels, even with the bass turned down as much as possible. I may have been spoiled by my old Audi S3's Bang & Olufsen sound system and my ND2 Mazda MX-5's Bose, but even my little sister's base-trim Hyundai Tucson offers a crisper sound experience. Despite the Subaru WRX's imperfections, diluted steering, and controversial black-plastic protective body cladding, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable, practical, enthusiast-oriented daily driver. With solid resale value, enticing lease rates, and a fair MSRP, the WRX offers so much value for frugal buyers who want a little bit of spice in their otherwise bland but dependable everyday vehicle. The factory WRX offers an excellent blank canvas that can be adapted to a wide array of driving enthusiast lifestyles. Swap the suspension struts over from a Forester Wilderness or a Crosstrek, slap on some all-terrain tires, and take on tough mountainous terrain. Drop it a few inches, fiddle with the motor's ECU, tint the windows, weld a huge fart can on the rear end, and you'll fit right in at your local nighttime car meet. The world is your oyster when it comes to modifying and living with the WRX.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Petersen Museum's Brilliant New Ken Block Exhibit Helped Me Grieve The Passing Of A Childhood Hero
The tragic passing of American rally legend, vehicular Gymkhana innovator, Hoonigan founder and DC Shoe co-founder Ken Block in early 2023 devastated car enthusiasts. Block and his series of Gymkhana videos brought the excitement of motorsport to an audience of over half a billion people around the world, including this humble writer. Born in my hometown of Long Beach, California, Block's jovial, unpretentious attitude and passion for motorsports resonated with me as an already car-obsessed early adolescent. The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California has a new exhibit dedicated to his myriad contributions, called "People's Champ: The Impact Of Ken Block." Open from now through October, it's a fitting ode to the motorsports legend. I expected the exhibit to be impressive, but I didn't expect it to help me process and grieve the passing of Block, one of my childhood heroes. The Petersen is widely regarded as one of the finest automotive museums in the world, but the current selection of exhibits might be the most compelling I've ever seen there. The Ken Block exhibit is housed on the museum's second floor in the Meyer Family Gallery, but crossing the threshold feels entirely transformative. When you enter the gallery, you get the same feeling that you do when you pass from Frontierland into Star Wars land at Disneyland California; you walk through the entrance and it's as though you've entered the Ken Block dimension, where nothing else in the world exists or matters. Read more: This SEMA Ford Maverick Show Truck Is A Symphony In Teal Three of his race suits stand tall on display as his affable voice plays over the speakers in the form of interviews and other sound bites. The interviews are broken up by the sound of Block vaporizing tires and turning fuel into noise as clips of his famous Gymkhana videos play on massive screens. Eight of the monumental vehicles that acted as his chariots of vehicular badassery in different eras of his career sit silently atop plinths, as though paying respects to their fallen champion. One of my favorite things about Block was his openness to different marques. Many car guys have a firm allegiance to one or two brands, but this exhibit alone include Fords, Subarus, Porsches, and Audis. From the 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI that starred in the very first Gymkhana to the Hoonipigasus Porsche 911 SVRSR that was built for the 2022 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Block's noble chariots stand proudly on display. Various pieces of memorabilia are encased in class along the perimeter of the exhibit, and a comprehensive timeline of his storied career occupies an entire wall. The floorplan is peppered with cars, including his 1965 Hoonicorn Ford Mustang, 1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, 1986 Ford RS200 Evolution, 2016 Ford Focus RS RX, 2022 Audi S1 E-Tron Hoonitron, 1977 Ford F-150 Hoonitruck, and my personal favorite, the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI featured in Gymkhana Two. As I sit on the bench facing the "Ain't Care" wall of shrapnel that still vaguely resemble the car parts they were before Block pushed them to their limit, it finally sits in. Block's voice comes across the gallery speakers, chills make their way across my skin, and I start to feel a lump in my throat; this man who brought joy, excitement, and inspiration to me and millions of other car nerds across the globe really has passed. I was fortunate enough to share spaces with Ken a couple times in my life, and though I never personally knew him, I felt intrinsically connected to him. I was 12 when the first Gymkhana video made waves on YouTube, and as a giant gawky pubescent car nerd it gave me hope. It inspired me to own my inexplicable infatuation with the automobile, and almost made it cool. This exhibit gives closure to those who have a personal connection to the cultural contributions of the late, great Ken Block, and gives the next generation a chance to learn about and witness why he was such an impactful figure. Along with "People's Champ," The Petersen has several other brilliant and enthralling exhibits on display right now including "Best In Low: Lowrider Icons of the Street and Show," "Cars are Beautiful: Mr. Brainwash @ The Petersen," and "Modern Concepts: Future Visions from the Recent Past." Each of these exhibits are beautifully curated and contain brilliant artwork and of course, unique, rare, and tantalizing cars. A docent told me that the current array of exhibits has drawn in a remarkably diverse crowd of car fans, including folks who wouldn't normally feel at home in a museum, and I believe it. I implore anyone in the LA area to pay the museum a visit. There will be a cruise-in event on Saturday, April 5 and other events throughout the week that includes 4/3, National Ken Block Day. Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum website to learn more about ticket prices and hours. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Petersen Automotive Museum Honors Ken Block with Landmark Exhibit
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious The Petersen Automotive Museum has unveiled "People's Champ: The Impact of Ken Block," the most extensive public display of the motorsports legend's vehicles and memorabilia ever curated. Now open in the Meyer Gallery, the exhibit celebrates Block's legacy as a driver, entrepreneur, and creative visionary who reshaped the world of motorsports and automotive culture. The exhibit offers an in-depth look at Block's career, from his rise in rally racing to his influence on digital automotive content, most notably through his Gymkhana video series, which captivated millions worldwide. His role as co-founder of DC Shoes and later Hoonigan Industries positioned him as a driving force in both action sports and automotive enthusiasm. "Block's profound influence has ignited the passion of millions," said Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. "His fearless driving and innovative vision in motorsports content have forever shaped the automotive landscape." The exhibit features some of the most iconic vehicles of Block's career, including: 1965 Ford Mustang RTR 'Hoonicorn' – The all-wheel-drive, twin-turbocharged star of multiple Gymkhana videos, including Gymkhana SEVEN and Climbkhana 2005 Subaru WRX STI 'Gymkhana Practice' – The car that started it all in the first Gymkhana video 2008 Subaru WRX STI from Gymkhana TWO: The Infomercial 1977 Ford F-150 'Hoonitruck' – Inspired by Block's father's pickup and featured in Gymkhana TEN 2022 Audi S1 E-Tron Quattro 'Hoonitron' – Built for Electrikhana, showcasing Block's venture into electric performance 1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth WRC 'Cossie V2' 2022 Porsche 911 SVRSR 'Hoonipigasus' – Designed for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 1986 Ford RS200 2016 Ford Focus RS RX, raced in the FIA World Rallycross Championship and featured in Gymkhana TEN The exhibition also features Block's racing suits, helmets, and personal memorabilia, as well as the "Ain't Care Wall," displaying wrecked vehicle parts from his high-adrenaline stunts—an homage to his fearless approach to motorsports. Created in collaboration with the 43 Institute, a nonprofit founded in Block's honor to provide mentorship and support for aspiring athletes and creatives, the exhibit embodies his commitment to inspiring future generations. "This exhibit is a meaningful tribute to Ken's legacy, reflecting his lasting impact and the inspiration he brought to motorsports and car culture," said Lucy Block, Ken's wife. "43 Institute is committed to fostering the opportunities that sparked his passion and creativity." "People's Champ: The Impact of Ken Block" will remain on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum through October 2025, offering fans and enthusiasts a chance to experience the life and career of one of motorsports' most influential figures.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ken Block Exhibit Slides into the Petersen Museum Feb. 15
The life and cars of video star and rallymeister Ken Block are being celebrated at a new exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles that opens Feb. 15. Block is best known for his Gymkhana driving videos, where the Hoonigan co-founder rallies through city streets, country roads, and abandoned military bases all over the world, snapping off jumps and barely missing various fixed objects, basically doing what we all think we could do, too, given the right circumstances. But of course, we couldn't do it. It's just that Block made it look so easy. The exhibit was already in the planning stages years ago, before Ken Block's untimely death in a snowmobiling accident two years ago. Enthusiasm for the show never really waned, especially at the Petersen, so it has come full circle. The Petersen calls the exhibit 'the most comprehensive public display of Block's collection ever assembled' and says it 'celebrates the enduring legacy of one of motorsport's most legendary figures.' In 2013, just five years into his fame, Block received the Petersen's Inspiration Award for 'his contributions to growing and inspiring the next generation of auto enthusiasts,' according to exhibit assistant curator Michael McCardle. While a handful of Ken Block's cars were shown at The Henry Ford as part of a larger motorsports exhibit, this Petersen showing will be the first one that has been done specifically focusing on the life and career and impact of Ken Block. 'It's certainly the largest gathering of any of his most famous vehicles that's ever been put together,' McCardle said. Among the cars on display are: 1965 Ford Mustang RTR 'Hoonicorn' featured in Gymkhana SEVEN, Gymkhana TEN, and Climbkhana. This was the world's first all-wheel-drive performance Mustang, the Hoonigan team said at the time. Following its debut in Gymkhana SEVEN, it earned a reputation as one of the most iconic custom vehicles ever built. 2022 Porsche 911 SVRSR 'Hoonipigasus' is a 1,400-hp Porsche built for the 2022 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Unfortunately, after promising practice runs, the engine failed just before race day and Block didn't get to see what it would do in competition. 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI featured in Gymkhana: Practice (or Gymkhana ONE) and 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI featured in Gymkhana TWO. These vehicles were constructed as successors to Ken Block's original 1991 Ford Escort Cosworth Group A rally car, which he competed in and used as one of five vehicles in Gymkhana TEN. The 1977 Ford F-150 Hoonitruck was created for Gymkhana TEN, partially out of Block's general love for trucks, and also as a tribute to his late father who had the exact same base truck back in the day. The 3.5-liter, twin turbocharged, Ford Performance/Roush Yates EcoBoost V6 makes 914 hp and 702 lb-ft of torque. The custom-tuned engine features a billet-aluminum block lifted directly out of the Ford Racing Ford GT Le Mans development program, according to Hoonigan. 2022 Audi S1 E-Tron Quattro 'Hoonitron' Inspired by the Audi Sport Quattro S1 rally car of the 1980s, Ken Block and Audi created an entirely new car for a series of Gymkhana spinoffs called Electrikhana. In addition to the cars, there will be a number of screens throughout the Bruce Meyer Family Gallery playing Gymkhana videos on a loop. You could spend hours in there. The exhibit opens Feb. 15 and will run through October.
