RALLY driving icon Ken Block made a chilling admission about getting old and his “fear” of crashes in one of his last interviews before tragic death.
The legendary former Top Gear stunt driver was killed in a horror snowmobile accident at his ranch in Utah.
Ken Block had spoken of his fears of crashes in an interview
He died in a snowmobiling accident at his ranch
He was speaking after the controversial 2016 Top Gear stunt near the Cenotaph
Former Top Gear presenter James May led the tributes to the beloved racer, tweeting: “RIP Ken Block, with thanks for some hilarious days out.”
Block made two appearances on Top Gear, performing a number of daring stunts, including the legendary airfield drifting scene.
His team, Hoonigan Racing Division, said in a statement: “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband.”
In 2016, he sparked controversy after he appeared in an episode of the rebooted series of Top Gear, driving around London with host and former Friends star Matt LeBlanc.
It was later revealed that the pair performed doughnuts, burnouts, and wheelspins on the streets of the capital, leaving blackened tyre streaks along Whitehall close to the Cenotaph memorial.
In the face of the row, the BBC later apologised and the Cenotaph footage was never aired.
Speaking to SE just after his controversial Cenotaph stunt, Block spoke about getting old.
“I’m getting old – handling the fear is getting more and more difficult,” he said.
“In the past year I’ve done two of the most dangerous things I’ve done, which is sliding at the edge of a cliff at Pike’s Peak for Climbkhana and sliding the car with part of the wheel off the edge of a dock for Gymkhana 9.
“It takes a lot of nerve to do this stuff, especially when you’re dealing with a big car and placing it within inches, it can be quite difficult sometimes.”
He added: “It’s part of what makes this such a big thrill for me. I started it because it really was a dream come true.”
Block was killed in a horror accident on his ranch in northern Utah.
Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said he was riding on a steep slope when the snowmobile flipped over and landed on top of him.
The action sports star was at his ranch sharing pictures of the snow-covered state on Instagram early Monday morning.
One of his recent posts shows a few snowmobiles blanketed in snow.
Before that, he shared a picture of the scene in northern Utah after heavy snow
The controversial Cenotaph footage was never aired
Tributes have poured in for Block from around the world of motorsport
He had been performing stunts on a snowmobile last week in Idaho – and even then admitted its power had taken him by surprise.
“Lots of power up at high elevations, and wheelies all day! Epic early season powder, and an amazing first day. Wheelies, deep pow turns, and a lot of learning on this new sled – good times,” he wrote.
And he had been snowmobiling in Utah as he kept fans up to date on Instagram.
On Monday, hours before his death, he wrote: “It’s been DUMPING snow in Park City, Utah this week with more forecasted for the weekend, and we wouldn’t be able to make it out to the ranch without the @SkiDoo sleds and @KubotaUSA machinery to clear the way!
“Can’t wait to see how much more powder stacks up over the next few days.”
Starting his rally driving career in 2005, Block raced in series such as Rally America and Global Rallycross.
He was later introduced to a new generation of fans with his YouTube video series “Gymkhana”.
The ten-part series, which featured the California-born stunt driver performing a series of daring feats, earned him almost two million subscribers on the video platform.
He also co-founded the skate-wear clothing brand DC Shoes.
Tributes for Block have poured in from around the world of motorsports.
World motorsport chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FiA, wrote on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Ken Block.
“An inspiration for us all and a true gentleman of our sport. The FIA’s thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time. RIP @kblock43.”
Former Top Gear host James May paid tribute to Block on Twitter and share a link to their airfield rally video.
“RIP Ken Block, with thanks for some hilarious days out,” he wrote.
While executive producer of Top Gear, Alex Renton, described him as “a trailblazer in the automotive industry”.
