A need for adrenaline drew a young Ken to hobbies involving speed and wheels. Growing up in Long Beach, California, Ken originally wanted to be a skateboarder, but upon moving with his family to San Diego, he started to mess around with dirt bikes. His knowledge of action-sports culture and insight into athletes’ preferences inspired him, along with designer Damon Way and Clayton Blehm, to found DC Shoes in 1994, specializing in skateboarding and snowboarding products. Marketing their high-quality line with a stable of sponsored athletes, the venture paid off in a big way.
This endeavor was such a success—with annual revenues north of $100 million—that in 2004, iconic surf brand Quiksilver bought it for $87 million. The windfall allowed Block to begin pursuing his true passion—rally racing—at age 37. Driving a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI in Rally America, he conquered 126 miles of snow-covered terrain to finish seventh in his first event. With that start, it’s no wonder he was named Rookie of the Year in the Rally America Championship.
