What's Wrong With This Picture: Burning Down The Block Edition
On this one you’ll probably have to click the photo so you can appreciate this anonymous commenter’s response in all its smoking glory…
In many ways, Block is the perfect role model for the generation where everybody gets a trophy, although he is actually from Generation X. His emphasis is on participation and promotion, not winning. While he has gamely competed, after a fashion, in everything from RallyAmerica to the WRC, he is happiest when he controls the scene and the focus. His “Gymkhana” videos are a sort of everyman’s version of the BMX/skate videos that became so popular during the Nineties. But instead of some hugely talented skater or rider doing something impossibly dangerous and difficult (for an example, the peerless On The Down Low is recommended) it’s just good ol’ Ken doing fun but entirely comprehensible stuff in expensive, custom-built cars. You could ride BMX for twenty years and not pull a twenty-foot drop like the Gonz (believe me, I know) but if you had Ken’s money and time you could do what he does, no sweat. And that’s part of the appeal of it.
This handbrake cover doesn’t look like a trophy by accident. It’s a trophy he’s given himself, for his victories. They might be victories of self-promotion and pay-driving and participation, but hey, at least he’s not at home playing video games, right?
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Full Disclaimer: Non DC shoe wearer, non Monster drinker, non Fiesta owner (though I did buy my first GoPro). Ken is probably the best Rally talent America has had in many, many years. Do I wish he wasn't so over the top? Yes. Do I wish he would spend a little more time on his craft, than making Gymkana videos? Yes. But you gotta pay the bills - running an M-Sport WRC-esk works car in the US without any national exposure is probably... not easy. My wish for Ken Block would be for him to fall off the face of the earth and re-appear 5 years later from some hidden icy mountain road / rally temple in Finland and be a real force in WRC... But to me, WRC is broken and maybe he decided that the ROI on killing yourself in WRC for scraps is not worth it.
At the end of the day, I don't care about DC Shoes. I wear New Balance. I think Ken's a great driver, and from what I understand he's no longer with DC Shoes in any managerial capacity. If you're trying to compare him to Bam Margera, please. Watch any of the old Landspeed/CKY videos from before him and his crew hooked up with MTV, and there was very little if any skating. At least Ken's a great driver and the Gymkana videos are used to showcase his driving.