Ken and Lia Block: The World's First Hooning Dynasty
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Hoonigan announced last week that Lia Block, a drag racing prodigy and Ken Block's daughter, had taken over the reigns of the Hoonicorn for the second season of the channel's Hoonicorn vs. the World series. While Lia was learning the ropes of drag racing, drifting, and rallying ahead of her debut in the titular 1400-horsepower Mustang, Ken has spent his year driving Audi's greatest rallying cars. Both sat down with Road & Track to discuss their respective driving careers, the 2021 Formula 1 season, and the most interesting cars they've ever had the chance to drive:
Road & Track: Can you walk me through the current state of the Hoonicorn?
Ken Block: Wow, we haven't been that specific yet. Would you like to do that?
Lia Block: No.
KB: Twin turbo V8 on methanol. Sequential gearbox from SADEV with a new paddle shift system set up. All-wheel drive running on American Force wheels. It's a '68 notchback Mustang.
R&T: It got this iconic status as the best car in the Forza Horizon games, sort of like the old Pikes Peak Mitsubishi Escudo in Gran Turismo 2. Has that been something you've heard about?
KB: That's actually what started the original Hoonicorn vs the World concept. People were taking the car, because it was so fast in the game, and racing it against a bunch of other cars they thought were fast and it was beating everything. When they put the car in that game, I went and did the testing at Microsoft's offices up in Seattle and, when I was driving, I told them it doesn't feel manic enough, it doesn't feel crazy. They made it very fast in the game and it feels a bit more realistic. It's very cool that it turned into all that, and it's the reason we made the first series.
R&T: Lia, you've been driving it for a few months now?
KB: She drove it all of two days before the filming, and then we filmed for two and a half, maybe three days.
R&T: But you did some prep beforehand?
LB: We did about a month of training with coaches like Leah Pruett, Hank Iroz, and Donkmaster.
R&T: How did it compare to the drag cars you were training with?
LB: It was way crazier. A lot faster, just a monster of all cars.
R&T: You did a stage rally this year. Do you have any interest in rally going forward?
LB: I actually did the rally about a month ago, after filming Hoonicorn vs the World 2. I did the Oregon Trail, and it was super fun until my engine blew. I have a lot of interest and I'd like to keep doing more.
R&T: Ken, you've been spending some time in some Audi rally cars over in Europe. How did the Group S car compare to modern rally cars?
KB: I drove an old S1 E2 and the Group S. They're amazing to drive, and the S1 E2 is one of the cars that got me into rally in the first place, so it was really cool to do that. The cars themselves are fast, even the detuned S1 E2 I drove was still quick. It was amazing hearing that motor, that five-cylinder scream. The handling was actually terrible on the S1 E2. The Group S was a little better, but they're 80s cars with mediocre suspension. It is what it is. I really enjoy driving it, but comparing to today's modern cars is hard.
R&T: How does it compare to your Quattro road car build?
KB: The funny thing is that I haven't actually driven that car yet. I get to drive it in two weeks. My schedule has been crazy the past couple months, the car was finished right before SEMA and since then I've been on the road. I finally get to do a bunch more Audi driving and testing with the GT and with the Quattro in two weeks.
R&T: Did you ask to drive any of the LMP cars?
KB: I asked to drive lots of things, but it's what we had time to drive that was a whole different thing. I'd really like to drive one of the more modern DTM cars and one of the LMP cars would be amazing, but we only had so much time, so we had to prioritize the stuff more near and dear to my heart: The rally cars and more original DTM cars. We'll get back at some point and get to drive some of that other stuff. Audi has such a rich history in building stuff that's had a lot of success, so they've promised me that I get to drive more of that, along with the new Dakar vehicle.
R&T: What are the most interesting cars you've both driven?
KB: I would say that S1 E2 Quattro is the most interesting car I've driven. I've owned an RS200, and it was fun to drive but it was terribly uncomfortable for me, being 6'1. It's just a very small interior. I just haven't driven a whole lot of other historic stuff, I wish I have but I don't have a lot in my driving history.
LB: Probably a Formula Mazda. They don't make them any more, and it's such a cool little car. It was the most memorable for me, it was the closest thing I've ever gotten to driving a big, open wheel car and go fast on a big track.
KB: She got to do a test at Utah Motorsports Campus in a locally owned and run Formula Mazda that races in the US championship, which was a great opportunity to drive on the big track in an open wheel car. She really liked it, she keeps bugging me to go back and do some more testing. We'll see, maybe some day.
R&T: Do you have any interest in competing at any higher levels of open wheel?
LB: Definitely. I'll take any opportunity I can get. I love every form of racing, so if you want me to go fast, I'll do it anything.
R&T: Do either of you watch a lot of racing?
KB: Yes and no. Nitro Rallycross and WRC are most interesting to us, and we watch F1, but that's about it.
R&T: What do you think of the new electric Nitro Rallycross cars?
KB: They look pretty, but we haven't really seen them driving yet, at least I haven't. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens there with actual driving in competition. I've driven one of the earlier Ford Fiesta Project E cars, I raced in the inaugural Project E race for World Rallycross, and I didn't like it as much as the current spec Supercar in that series. But that was kind of an early development car, what they've done with the nitro car is much more advanced and better. I'd love to try it, I'd love to see how they drive and see how they race. I'm stoked Nitro is doing that, but I guess the proof is in the pudding. We'll see how they go next year.
R&T: Do you have a prediction for F1 champion?
KB: No. But we know Lewis, Lia has actually worked with Lewis. We'd like to see Lewis win, but it'd be interesting to see a new champion.
After the conversation, Lia added one vital more thing about her experience filming Hoonicorn Vs. the World 2:
LB: I went faster than my dad's top speed in the Hoonicorn.
That series will continue airing on the Hoonigan YouTube channel throughout the season.
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