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Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:58:00 +0000

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Celebrities

You know you want another one of Ken Block's trademark hoonage videos, don't you? Of course you do. And so we're glad to oblige. But, Ken Block being Ken Block, "just another" video wouldn't do. No, he and his crew at the Monster World Rally Team have to make each episode count. And that requires a certain measure of creativity.

For this latest three-minute clip, Block and company headed to the Dirtfish Rally School in Snoqualmie Falls, Washington. That may not mean anything to you now, but do you remember Twin Peaks? Dirtfish is based in the very same location where the popular early-90s TV show was shot. Block and his team headed there to test out the new Ford Fiesta HFHV on gravel for the first time, and were kind enough to bring along a video crew to, um... "document" the process. Follow the jump to go fire walking with Block and crew.

Continue reading Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel

Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V.

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty

Ken Block has extended his tireless Ford promotion to SYNC, equipping his Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle with FoMoCo's infotainment system to star - along with DC BMX rider Kelly Bolton - in his latest video.

The day-in-the-life comes in three acts, beginning with Block driving one of his Gymkhana-prepped Fiestas to LA's Cars and Coffee, followed by a brief lunch, filming of the previously released Gymkhana 4 and wrapping up with a parking lot smoke fest where Block and Bolton do what they do best. Although we're not sure what we're impressed with more: Bolton doing a backflip off a ladder after Block topples it going sideways or the fact that Ken was able to drive his hardly street-legal H.F.H.V. around LA for the day. Check it all out after the jump.

Continue reading A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V.

A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block recaps 2011 Gymkhana World Tour in latest video

Zach Bowman — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:29:00 +0000

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Australia, Celebrities, Specialty, Racing

Ken Block had a busy summer. The exhibition driver spent the season frolicking around the globe with a few friends and putting on Gymkhana shows as part of a world tour. The event showed up in just three cities; Los Angeles, Vienna and Melbourne, and gave a handful of lucky Block fans a show worth remembering. But with so few shoes spread across such a wide distance, that left plenty of the driver's faithful out in the cold. Ever the publicist, Block crafted a video for those who couldn't make it out to breathe the tire smoke.

The result is three shows crammed into less than six minutes of footage. There's plenty of sideways Ford Fiesta action as well as airborne motocross riders, scantily clad ladies of multiple nationalities and at least one gold tooth as part of the clip. One very famous Segway also makes an appearance or two. Hit the jump to see the full clip for yourself and read the press release.

Continue reading Ken Block recaps 2011 Gymkhana World Tour in latest video

Ken Block recaps 2011 Gymkhana World Tour in latest video originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block gets own line of Hot Wheels in time for holiday season

Zach Bowman — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Hatchback, Ford, Toys/Games, Celebrities, Specialty, Racing

Like floods, wildfires and tsunamis, the Ken Block marketing machine is a force of nature. The exhibition driver has partnered up with Mattel for a special line of Hot Wheels toys that include 1:64-scale die cast versions of Block's WRC Ford Fiesta in either black or white liveries. As with most Hot Wheels toys, the cars are priced at $1, which means that just about everyone can afford to find one of these in their stocking this year.

Mattel has also unveiled two different remote controlled Ken Block cars, starting with the radio-controlled Nitro Speedsters Ford Fiesta. The pint-sized R/C car is a self-contained controller and racer unit, perfect for stuffing in your pocket. We imagine the tiny wireless car would be ideal for disrupting class or the occasional office meeting. The whole kit will set you back $25.99.

Those of us who demand a slightly larger R/C experience may opt for the Ken Block R/C Fiesta Stunt Car. The toy allows just about anyone to execute either wide or tight drifts with little more than a press of a button, and with a scale speed of 0-80 mph in two seconds, the toy should be plenty of fun for $45. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Ken Block gets own line of Hot Wheels in time for holiday season

Ken Block gets own line of Hot Wheels in time for holiday season originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block’s Gymkhana 4 is automotive hoonage, Hollywood style

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Celebrities, Humor, Specialty

If you're Ken Block and you feel the need to top your previous and ridiculously popular Gymkhana videos with a fourth installment, what do you do? Why, turn to Hollywood, of course. For Gymkhana 4, Block and his DC Shoes crew travel to the Universal Studios lot, and, as such, you'll see plenty of classic movie props in this film.

Let's see... we've got Back to the Future, Jaws, Zombieland and Slumdog Millionaire for starters, along with a couple of gorillas and Segways. But it's the automotive action you're most interested in, right? And in that case, we've got more good news for you: Block's sideways smokey action in back in full effect, and this time, he crashes through buildings, dodges animatronic sharks and pirouettes around the guys from Epic Meal Time.

All in, you'll find just over nine minutes of automotive hoonage starring Block's Ford Fiesta Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle, punctuated by movie references and product placement along with plenty of special effects and insane camera angles. See it all for yourself right after the break.

Continue reading Ken Block's Gymkhana 4 is automotive hoonage, Hollywood style

Ken Block's Gymkhana 4 is automotive hoonage, Hollywood style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block releases first teaser of Gymkhana 4

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Specialty, Racing

The relentless Gymkhana hype-machine is ramping up yet again and the first teaser is officially upon us.

Ken Block's Hybrid Function Hoon Machine will play the lead roll in Gymkahana 4 and we get a brief (and appropriately loud) taste of the turbocharged rally machine's anti-lag system. Nine GoPro cameras catch the two-foot-long flame projecting out the Ford's titanium exhaust, and you can get your first taste after the jump before the real show begins on Tuesday.

Continue reading Ken Block releases first teaser of Gymkhana 4

Ken Block releases first teaser of Gymkhana 4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford

A new car, updated livery and a fresh set of tires can only mean one thing for Ken Block - a new Gymkhana video is in the works, and it's slated to take over YouTube sometime this summer. The new instrument of driving precision and rubber destruction is Block's Ford Fiesta Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle.

Gymkhana Four will no doubt be another internet sensation, one that will add to the constantly growing mass of people who've viewed the previous three videos. To date, Gymkhana installments one through three have been watched over 110 million times, with Gymkhana Three making its way on to YouTube's list of Top 10 Videos of 2010.

Whether you think it's merely a marketing stunt, a display of skill behind the wheel or something in between, there's little doubt that you're going to watch it. We'll do the same, and you'll be sure to find it here on Autoblog when Ken Block and DC Shoes release the finished version. For now, you can get a taste of what's to come by checking out the image gallery above.

Continue reading Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer

Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty, Off-Road, Racing

Being Ken Block has got to be a lot of fun, but like any other life, it has its share of problems. In Ken's case, he's actively involved in a number of rally disciplines, each of which has its own parameters and requires its own type of car. Solution: the Ford Fiesta HFHV.

The initials stand for Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle, but don't let that first H fool you: there's nothing Prius about this car. It's the new beast which Ford and Block have developed for adaptable use in each of three types of rally competition: stage rallies, rallycross and Gymkhana.

The car is based on Block's Ford Fiesta RS WRC, albeit with a 2.0-liter turbo four capable of producing as much as 600 horsepower and 665 pound-feet of torque, depending on configuration. And configurability is what this car's all about. By swapping the wheels and tires and adjusting everything from the suspension to the engine mapping, the HFHV can be quickly set up for any of these three functions. Believe it or not, Block's Monster crew says it can even be street-legal, depending on the setup.

Bottom line: expect to see this car wherever you see Block pop up, whether it's on a rally stage, a closed parking lot or a film set - starting with the X Games this weekend in Los Angeles. Follow the jump to watch the video footage and read the full press release.

Continue reading Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV

Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block brings home Goodwood hooning title… again

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:57:00 +0000

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Ford

Ken Block is on a quest to destroy tires on every patch of land on this planet. His latest conquest is the driveway belonging to one Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara. He also goes by Lord March, and his driveway happens to play host to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Block was in attendance with both his Gymkhana-prepped Ford Fiesta and Fiesta WRC ultra-hot hatch. Many a donut was turned, lots of smoke was generated and it appears that serious sideways fun was had by both Block and the few lucky folks who got to ride shotgun on Block's passes... including Lord March's own son.

For the second year in a row, Lord March has handed down a hooning award to Ken. Check out the Goodwood action, the trophy and the unique way Ken decides to celebrate the victory by watching the clip posted after the jump.

Continue reading Ken Block brings home Goodwood hooning title... again

Ken Block brings home Goodwood hooning title... again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford launching Octane Academy with Ken Block, Tanner Faust

Zach Bowman — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:59:00 +0000

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

If you're one of the hordes of internet citizens who watch videos of Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan or Vaughn Gittin Jr. perform various acts of insanity from behind the wheel and think you can do better, Ford is giving you the chance to prove it. The automaker has just unveiled its new Octane Academy, which will pair fans up with their favorite maniacal driver for a little on-track training.

If you want a shot at jumping into the fray, all you need to do is work up a video that shows why you're better than the rest and fit for a weekend of challenges. Contest winners will be selected to compete against other horsepower-obsessed entrants before a final champion is selected. Those who beat out the rest on their respective team will take home big prizes, including a specially-designed vehicle penned by Block, Foust, Gittin Jr. or Deegan.

The first camp gets underway in November of 2011, and the contest is currently open and awaiting your video submission. Head over to Octane Academy for more information and check out the video and press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford launching Octane Academy with Ken Block, Tanner Faust

Ford launching Octane Academy with Ken Block, Tanner Faust originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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