[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ken-blocks-latest-stunt-driving-video-gymkhana-5-in-san-francisco\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ken-blocks-latest-stunt-driving-video-gymkhana-5-in-san-francisco\/","headline":"Ken Block's latest stunt driving video – Gymkhana 5 in San Francisco","name":"Ken Block's latest stunt driving video – Gymkhana 5 in San Francisco","description":"Ken Block, born in 1967, a professional rally driver for the Monster World Rally Team, is now also a shoe salesman.\u00a0 He’s not the sort of shoe salesman you may find in your local high street shop though as Ken, being Ken, has a slightly different approach to selling shoes.\u00a0 Instead of measuring your feet and suggesting heels or flats, he has instead decided that the best approach to sell shoes is to shut down all the streets in San […]","datePublished":"2012-07-09","dateModified":"2012-07-09","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ken-block-gymkhana-san-francisco.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ken-block-gymkhana-san-francisco.jpg","height":385,"width":577},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ken-blocks-latest-stunt-driving-video-gymkhana-5-in-san-francisco\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Modified Cars","Sports \/ Performance & Prestige cars"],"wordCount":516,"keywords":["drifting","driving","fiesta","ford","gymkhana","ken block","monster","playground","san francisco","sf","stunt","world rally"],"articleBody":"Ken Block, born in 1967, a professional rally driver for the Monster World Rally Team, is now also a shoe salesman.\u00a0 He’s not the sort of shoe salesman you may find in your local high street shop though as Ken, being Ken, has a slightly different approach to selling shoes.\u00a0 Instead of measuring your feet and suggesting heels or flats, he has instead decided that the best approach to sell shoes is to shut down all the streets in San Francisco and then to tear around in a Ford Fiesta, drifting around corners and jumping over the city’s famous hills.The car is far from a regular Ford Fiesta of course and comes with a 2 litre turbocharged, 650 Horsepower engine which can take the little beast from 0 to 60 in an incredible 1.8 seconds.\u00a0 Yes, that’s not a typo, I really did say one point eight seconds.San Francisco is a town with a slightly unique piece of motoring history firmly woven into it already as it’s hard to think of those famous hills without imagining Steve McQueen belting round in a GT 390 Fastback Mustang with the iconic dented bumper in the film ‘Bullet’ which was released around the time of Ken’s first birthday.\u00a0 Let’s face it, in terms of looking as cool, the Bullet Mustang scene is a pretty difficult car to follow.\u00a0 However, you’ve got to admit that Ken Block has just about nailed it with his Gymkhana 5 video.\u00a0 Closing down San Francisco so that you can turn the empty streets into your own playground to do with as you please in a horrifically over-powered little Ford Fiesta must rank pretty highly in most motoring fan’s bucket list.\u00a0 Maybe not the Ford Fiesta part, and maybe not in a bid to sell shoes but you’ve got to admit this is a pretty cool set of stunts whatever the car or motivation for driving it.\u00a0 I wish I had Ken Block’s job, as well as his driving talent of course.As the man himself said: “San Francisco was absolutely amazing for Gymkhana…. It’s such a unique location for this kind of driving and allowed me to do some things that I never thought I’d ever be able to incorporate into one of my Gymkhana videos like jumping a table top or doing a jump drift!”I’m rather pleased that Ken mentioned the jump drift because it’s one of the best things I’ve seen on video to date.\u00a0 It has certainly brightened up my day no end.\u00a0 In fact, this video must be watched to be believed.\u00a0 From the moment I saw it earlier I have regressed back to being an 8 year old boy all over again – and I’d only just about recovered from the recent Hot Wheels double loop stunt video as well.\u00a0 Now I’m back to square one!!\u00a0 Right, I’m off to get some Jawbreaker gob stoppers and then go and swap some football stickers.\u00a0 I might grow up one day but thanks to Ken, it won’t be today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Ken Block's latest stunt driving video – Gymkhana 5 in San Francisco","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ken-blocks-latest-stunt-driving-video-gymkhana-5-in-san-francisco\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]