Ken Block

Lore & Background

Block's rally career began in 2005 with the Vermont SportsCar team, driving a 2005 Subaru WRX STi. His first event was Sno*Drift, where he finished seventh overall and fifth in Group N. That season, he had five top five finishes, placed third overall in Group A, fourth overall in the Rally America National Championship, and won the Rally America Rookie of the Year award. In 2006, Block and Travis Pastrana signed a sponsorship deal with Subaru, becoming "Subaru Rally Team USA." Block competed in the first-ever X Games rally event at X Games XII, finishing third for the bronze. He finished second overall in the 2006 Rally America National Championship. In 2007, Block placed second at X Games XIII for a silver medal and finished third overall in the 2007 Rally America National Championship. He also entered rounds of the World Rally Championship in Rally Mexico and Rally New Zealand, recording two top-five stage times in Group N in New Zealand. By the end of 2007, Block had achieved 19 podiums and 8 overall victories in rally events. In 2008, Block won the Rallye Baie-des Chaleurs in the Canadian Rally Championship, his first Canadian rally win, and finished first at Rally New York USA. At X Games XIV, he finished third in Rally Car Racing, while Dave Mirra finished fourth. He finished second overall in the 2008 Rally America National Championship, with a strong victory at the Lake Superior Performance Rally. In 2010, Block ended his partnership with Subaru and joined Ford to compete part-time in the World Rally Championship for the Monster World Rally Team, driving a Ford Focus RS WRC 08. He campaigned in the World Rally Championship, scoring two points after finishing ninth in Spain. He also won the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood for the 5th consecutive time, tying John Buffum's record of five overall wins. In 2011, Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino rolled their Ford Fiesta RS WRC during the shakedown stage of the Rally de Portugal but were both fine. He finished eighth at France and ninth at Wales, scoring 6 points. In 2013, Block scored a best-ever seventh overall finish at the Mexican rally. In 2014, Castrol returned as his sponsor; he finished 12th in Catalunya, Spain, after a tire puncture on the last stage.

Reader's Guide

Ken Block was a real-world icon before entering the Forza universe as a celebrated personality. Known for his Gymkhana videos, he revolutionized how stunt driving and rallying are perceived globally. Within the games, his presence is felt through exclusive liveries and challenge events that prioritize style over pure lap time. His signature driving style involves aggressive oversteer, utilizing drift techniques to navigate tight urban or off-road obstacles with precision.

Fans often compete in Hoonigan-themed rallies where maintaining momentum while sliding is key to success. His career highlights include numerous appearances across Motorsport and Horizon titles, cementing his legacy among virtual racers. While he had no direct on-screen rivalries within the narrative, his competitive spirit inspired countless players to push their own limits. The Forza community continues to rally behind his memory through tribute collections that keep his automotive spirit alive on every continent featured in the open worlds.