Ken Blocks latest, Gymkhana #7 - The Hoonicorn

[SMcP114]

I think what we're saying is that he'll always be a privateer. A full time paid driver will always be on a different level.

I'd love to see Ken block do the circuit of Ireland. I'd say a few would be genuinely surprised.

 

[Cess]

He wouldn't win, or be anywhere near it.

 

[chris_b]

Every year a new video comes out its the same old story, makes me proper LOL it does.

I hate people in this country some times, all so many seem to have the ability to do is cast judgement on others and in the most critical fashion. If half as much energy was put into liking seeing people do well it would benefit the country and all who live in it so much.

 

[johnboy888]

That's like saying Michael Dunlop has no skill because he isn't winning MotoGP titles!!

I think you're way off on this one Mr curry! Lol

I think he has a point tbh
block gets many goes at the gymkana course whereas the rally boys don't
the amount of rubber visible shows this

 

[Cess]

Re: Circuit of Ireland. If Ken Block came to the Circuit of Ireland in a Fiesta, I'd back Garry Jennings, Declan Boyle, Darren Gass, Keith Cronin etc in equal machinery every time.

Why? Ken Block has no great record in asphalt and Irish Tarmac is very different from WRC Catalyuna or Germany where he has competed. Plus he would have no experience if the stages used. That's not bashing, that's logic. Fellas, even Loeb, Gronholm and Hirvonen didn't walk Irish events when they came here first.

 

[chris_b]

Re: Circuit of Ireland. If Ken Block came to the Circuit of Ireland in a Fiesta, I'd back Garry Jennings, Declan Boyle, Darren Gass, Keith Cronin etc in equal machinery every time.

Why? Ken Block has no great record in asphalt and Irish Tarmac is very different from WRC Catalyuna or Germany where he has competed. Plus he would have no experience if the stages used. That's not bashing, that's logic. Fellas, even Loeb, Gronholm and Hirvonen didn't walk Irish events when they came here first.

Rallying and especially in Ireland is massively different. KEN BLOCK does a different kind of driving, its as simple as that.

Glad you mentioned Gronholm in your list there. Do you think he is a good driver ???? @Graham you too, would you rate Gronholm ?

 

[SMcP114]

I grew up with Darren. We were in the same class in junior rallying until I was priced out of it. I'll ask his thoughts on Ken block for an absolute laugh.

I already know what he will say

 

[Cess]

Point out where I said Ken Block wasn't a good driver. Point out where I said anything about him or his style of driving? I just said in equal machinery against local drivers, he would not win or walk the Circuit of Ireland, based on previous experiences of drivers who have been rally champions.

No need for the aggressive tone tbh.

 

[chris_b]

Point out where I said Ken Block wasn't a good driver. Point out where I said anything about him or his style of driving? I just said in equal machinery against local drivers, he would not win or walk the Circuit of Ireland, based on previous experiences of drivers who have been rally champions.

No need for the aggressive tone tbh.

Apologies @Cess you are right, just get a little worked up at times, old age.

What is repeated year on year since the first video came out is Ken can't do this, Ken can't do that etc etc As I said rallying, especially in Ireland is massively different to anything else the world over, of course he wouldn't win against our local heroes. How could he ? They have spent their entire lives driving around our roads etc. Throw one of them into the GRC series and the roles would be reversed.

What about Gronholm then ?

 

[Cess]

I'd be genuinely interested in Darren Gass's views for the laugh. Darren was a decent driver in his day. A Pirelli star driver no less. On somewhere like Hamilton's Folly in an identical car, I still genuinely believe Darren could set a time a few lower end WRC regulars would be happy with. Someone like Martin Prokop. Just my opinion based on my years following rallying.

Gronholm is a WRC champion and a top end driver. I also know he competed in GRC too @chris_b

Anyway, Ken and all the GRC boys should join forces with FIA RX so he can see Foust, Pastrana and all the rest battle Solberg, Tideman and all the other crazy Scandos. That would be superb.

It is very much horses for courses. Jacques Villeneuve didn't feature much in FIA World Rally Cross, but he's clearly an elite driver.

 

[SMcP114]

Cess I thought you were talking about me there and I was looking for my aggressive tone lol

I'll ask. Darren is a pure talent. A driver in it's purest form. Outside issues influenced him, as they did with all of us, but still on his day he's the fastest driver in Ireland

 

[SMcP114]

I'll make a bold statement here, Ken block in a world rally car would walk the circuit.

Prove me wrong lol

 

[Cess]

If we all buy enough Monster, maybe he'll come to Donegal in a 20v Corolla.

 

[SMcP114]

If you don't like him as a person, watch him and Chris Atkinson in an escort. His enthusiasm is infectious. Hard not to like him.

 

[chris_b]

I seen earlier the video got 5.5 million views in less than 24hrs. Thats 3819 views every minute

Driving aside, how much of an advertising masterpiece is that for the sponsors.

 

[TheDaniel]

That boy must own ALL the tyres. Car is incredible!

If he gives that lowrider a few hundred more BHP & rakes that while jumping it etc. then we're really onto something! lol

 

[svensktoppen]

You want hooning......
Give me a trophy truck any day of the week!

Awesome, lol

I bet that guy never won the WRC either, or beat a Sebastien down a rally stage, so he must be pretty crap too

 

[KevM]

Apologies @CessWhat is repeated year on year since the first video came out is Ken can't do this, Ken can't do that etc etc As I said rallying, especially in Ireland is massively different to anything else the world over, of course he wouldn't win against our local heroes. How could he ? They have spent their entire lives driving around our roads etc. Throw one of them into the GRC series and the roles would be reversed.

As you've said, reverse the roles round & most of our local heroes could do what he does Blindfolded, & thats the difference.

The Moffett's & Kevin Lynch have both recreated Gymkhana. Maybe the budget, production & location were a bit more NI spec, but the driving wasnt lacking whatsoever. Any of our guys could probably beat him at the GRC too, given a budget!

 

[Sonny]

I think he has a point tbh
block gets many goes at the gymkana course whereas the rally boys don't
the amount of rubber visible shows this

Is he not allowed to practice? To see how the car will react in the environment? To make sure it's set up correctly? Nevermind the multiple takes for different camera angles. Maybe Ken was happy with a few done first time, yet the director wasn't happy with the camera work. Such an odd comment to make.

Do the 'rally boys' just throw a car together and hope for the best?

edited to add: If you managed to get areas of Belfast closed down for the day so you could go as fast as you liked, drift, do donuts, whatever you wanted in the car. You'd be happy enough to do it once and go on? I'd be making the most of it!

 

[davecoupe]

 

[mike_2]

There is a vast difference between racing and being talented at car control, very different disciplines altogether. Think of the preciseness for example when racing.
I don't condone in anyway what this guy did but Giorgi did it for real in full traffic situations. Complete madness but I am in awe of his car control. Apparently he wanted to make it to Hollywood as a stunt driver before he was killed (as a passenger in his own car ironically).

BMW M5 "NeedForDrive.com" LAST ILLEGAL Street Rac…: mai CW's

 

[mike_2]

Sorry not sure what happened.

 

[Nicky]

That video of Giorgio Tevzadze is 1 of my favourite videos on the internet

 

[collyirwin11]

Sorry not sure what happened.

Although I admire his car control, I can't help but think what a **** he is driving like that, there was far too many variables, innocent people around etc. It is sad he lost his life, but with driving like that you could see it was virtually inevitable.

 

[mike_2]

Absolutely and no right to endanger anybody's life. The internet is torn in equal measure between loathing and admiration for him.

The video is hard enough to believe if you saw it in a film let alone real life.