Ken Block, the legendary American rally car driver and co-founder of the car culture group, Hoonigan died in a tragic snowmobile accident in Utah on Tuesday. He was 55.
As per BBC report, Block was riding a snowmobile up a steep slope in Wasatch County, Utah, when the vehicle turned turtle, landing on top of him resulting in his death on the spot.
Block is survived by his wife & 3 children.
A competitive rally driver since 2005, Block was Rally America's Rookie of the Year in his first season and went on to win rallycross medals at the X Games and podium finishes at the World Rallycross Championship.
He was featured twice on the BBC's Top Gear programme, as well as in four EA Sports racing video games. Top Gear also saw him race against F1 champ Lewis Hamilton at a live event in Barbados.
Hamilton pitted his Mercedes F1 car against Block's Hoonigan rallycross car in front of a huge crowd.
He signed a new deal with Audi to promote the German car manufacturer’s electric vehicles just a few months ago.
As per a motorsport.com report, Block's impact and superstar status were such that a decade ago F1 tyre supplier Pirelli even paved the way for the American to properly test a grand prix car before the plans fell through.
Pirelli had worked extensively with Block in the WRC and, after making its F1 return in 2011, saw the opportunity of a car test for Block to help highlight its global presence in the two leading world championship categories.
Block was also known for his "Gymkhana" video series on YouTube. The 10-part series, in which he performed daring racing feats, earned him nearly two million subscribers.
Fellow racers also paid tribute to Block, with former British Formula One world champion Jenson Button calling him "a talent that did so much for our sport".
The news of his death emerged a day after Hollywood actor Jeremy Renner sustained serious injuries while using a snow plough to clear snow outside his home in Nevada.