Block began his professional rally driving career in 2005 and has competed at the top of the sport for Subaru, and more recently, Ford. He became the first American driver to campaign for the World Rally Championship and is currently competing in the Global Rallycross Championship, as well as selected FIA World Rallycross and WRC events.
It is perhaps his Gymkhana videos though that have turned Block into a bona fide online phenomenon. "Gymkhana" is an automotive sport that requires drivers to skilfully manoeuvre their cars around a series of cones, slaloms, 180 degree turns, 360 degree turns, figure 8 turns and other obstacles using extreme acceleration, braking and drifting. Ken took this sport and added his creativity and flair and has, to date, created seven jaw-dropping YouTube videos with an impressive 257+ million views over the past six years.
Has anyone told you that they think you're nuts - and if so, what's your response?Ken Block: Ha! I've had some people say things like that before, but I sort of just laugh a bit. In my mind, what I'm doing isn't that crazy, it's just what I'm comfortable doing from years of experience.
Have you ever had a traffic violation and if so, for what?KB: I had the occasional small speeding ticket here and there when I was much younger. Now I'm more likely to catch a parking ticket for forgetting to feed the meter.
When your fellow road users spot you at a traffic light, do they try to take you on - and do they ever win?KB: Nobody really recognises me when I'm driving on the street, it's not like I drive around Park City in one of my race cars, so I blend in pretty well. But, if they did and tried to race me, I'm not racing them on the street. I get all of that out of my system on the track, I'm very mellow when I'm driving on public roads.
Have you ever tried out against other drivers on a race track - would you want to?KB: Nope and nope. I believe in good, clean, aggressive racing. I'll defend my line, but I won't purposefully target someone like that, that's just not good sportsmanship.
What makes a good driver?KB: Someone who is focused, talented and is willing to risk it when necessary to get ahead.
What makes a bad driver?KB: Someone who is unfocused, lacking talent and taking unnecessary risks!
Do you find that during your manoeuvres that you're travelling so fast that your mind is working overtime and everything actually seems to slow down - as though time is slowing?KB: Not really. I've never really thought about it in those terms. It's certainly exciting but it's not one of those things where it's adrenaline overload and slowing things down, I think I have it under control so that I stay in real-time.
What's you advice to anyone thinking of going into what you do?KB: My advice is always the same: start with proper driving classes and instruction and then practice, practice, practice.
What do you do to prepare yourself before you go out and thrill the crowds?KB: I like to get in a quick warm-up with my trainer when possible. We work on some quick reaction type things so that I'm mentally sharp when I take off in the car.
What do you do to 'chill'?KB: I love to hike with my dogs when I'm at home. That's a very chill exercise for me and it's just myself and the dogs out in the woods so it's quiet and peaceful.
Clarkson Hammond and May Live will take place at the Ticketpro Dome in Northgate, Johannesburg, 12-14 June 2015.
For more info, go to http://clarksonhammondandmaylive.co.za.
