Block is Back: Gymkhana 9 is Here!

Ford Focus RS RX, Gymkhana, Hoonigan, Ken Block, Monster Energy

In his quest to kill all tires Ken Block returns for the latest instalment of the Gymkhana series with the Hoonigan team and it certainly doesn’t disappoint!
 

After receiving some (fair) criticism for focusing on story-telling and nice shots over driving skills in Gymkhana 8 (remember the supercar drag race?) Block is back to doing what he does best, getting sideways, driving like a boss and making more smoke than a Marlboro factory.

Gymkhana 9 sees a switch from the playboy’s paradise of Dubai to the grittier industrial playground of Buffalo, New York. Back in ‘Murica Block tackles his latest challenge not in the stars and stripes laden, glow in the dark Fiesta rocking 650 ponies, instead his 600bhp Focus RS that is more accustomed to the World Rallycross Championship than an abandoned industrial estate. Whilst this choice may not be as madcap as the bonkers 845bhp Hoonicorn Mustang it definitely matches the feel of the entire video and its aim of Block taking you back to his roots and showcasing his driving prowess.

The latest instalment of the Gymkhana series sees Block in full hoon mode thrashing around an industrial estate whilst encountering a train, a dangling Ford F-150 Raptor, bodies of water and a big ass bridge.

With Hollywood and TV featuring more CGI than ever before in movies and adverts it’s increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is real and fake and Block clearly thinks the same. Many of the stunts found in Gymkhana 9 are a metaphorical middle finger to those who prefer to use pixels than petrol and go to show that stunts performed for real are significantly more impressive.

Where do you rate Gymkhana 9 on the scale of awesome? Whilst it’s one of our favourites so far we’ve still got a special place in our hearts for Gymkhana 3 which showcased Block’s pure driving skills and less about special effects. A hearty dose of nostalgia also helps!