RE: PH Blog: Ken Block's Gymkhana ... snooze
Discussion
Riggers said:
Without wishing to speak for Dan, the first piece was our original news story, and its lightly supportive tone is more more an addition to introduce the video than any particular editorial stance.
Dan's blog, on the other hand is very much his own personal opinion - as are all our blogs...
If it's a blog, why is is marked as news?Dan's blog, on the other hand is very much his own personal opinion - as are all our blogs...
k up.jon- said:
Watch this instead. This is a PROPER motorsport video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIoO_N8bSP0&fe...
It's really not https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIoO_N8bSP0&fe...
I think kens biggest problem is trying to make it perfect and everyone knows that means 20 practice runs . Maybe a back to basics approach is what he needs. I'm tired of big money productions
trunks82 said:
DanDC5 said:
Given that he's chosen to compete in the WRC as a hobby I'd say his balls are bigger than most.
For sure.but not in a 650 bhp fiesta!
Riggers said:
monthefish said:
PH on the subject of the latest Ken Block video said:
We'll be honest here. When we heard that Ken Block was making another iteration of his gymkhana video series, we were a little cynical.
Sure, the master of the art of hoonery has become an internet sensation over the years, and his ability to make a hugely powerful 4wd rally car do hilarious things is broadly unparalleled. But (whisper it) we were getting just a little bored of it all, so we thought Gymkhana Five might be a mild disappointment.
It's not. The reason? Block's taken his 650hp Fiesta onto the streets of San Francisco, and any project that gets the Bay Bridge closed specifically for the purposes of hooning earns our eternal respect. Plus, some of the jumps as he careers around the famously hilly city are truly giggleworthy.
Sure, the master of the art of hoonery has become an internet sensation over the years, and his ability to make a hugely powerful 4wd rally car do hilarious things is broadly unparalleled. But (whisper it) we were getting just a little bored of it all, so we thought Gymkhana Five might be a mild disappointment.
It's not. The reason? Block's taken his 650hp Fiesta onto the streets of San Francisco, and any project that gets the Bay Bridge closed specifically for the purposes of hooning earns our eternal respect. Plus, some of the jumps as he careers around the famously hilly city are truly giggleworthy.
PH on the subject of the latest Ken Block video later said:
What to say about Ken Block's Gymkhana Five? Posted up on July 9, at the time of writing this just 10 days later it's showing over 21m views. Am I the only one of those millions who, after the first minute or so, found themselves thinking "yeah, so what"?
I found it a weird sensation, for sure. After all, what's not to like about some gratuitous, beautifully filmed hooning by an incredibly skilled driver who, thanks to the power of his brand and the internet, can get large parts of one of America's major cities closed off simply so he can do some donuts for a YouTube film?
And yet, there I was. Bored.
So which is the official PH line then?I found it a weird sensation, for sure. After all, what's not to like about some gratuitous, beautifully filmed hooning by an incredibly skilled driver who, thanks to the power of his brand and the internet, can get large parts of one of America's major cities closed off simply so he can do some donuts for a YouTube film?
And yet, there I was. Bored.
Dan's blog, on the other hand is very much his own personal opinion - as are all our blogs...
the title of this piece said:
PH Blog: Ken Block's Gymkhana ... snooze
And while we are on the subject of trivial things, why is the second poster marked as the original poster?
(
)Blimey, some of you lot have taken this badly. What I got from the article was a huge thumbs up to block, but a bit of a thumbs down to the overly produced video and that there's a law of diminishing returns likely to occur. I like the vids but I'd probably prefer an outtakes video ;"keeping it real" in the modern day parlance of the youth, otherwise they become too slick
ThunderSpook said:
Roll on Gymkhana 6 through 10 and beyond. Personally I can't wait, both because they are spectacular to watch and they piss miserable people off by the look of it.
^^^ For me, this. I've watched the rally videos others have posted up on here and I'd still rather watch Block's efforts - for me personally, I find them far more entertaining than watching some 20+ year old footage.Edited by mrclav on Wednesday 18th July 10:52
Ken Block’s videos make absolute sense when you remember that he comes from a skateboarding background.
He made his fortune as a founder of DC Shoes, and made a ton of skateboard videos over the years. Making a rally/drift car video in the same style (and by the same process of try and try again until you nail each trick) was a moment of absolute bloody genius.
There’s some interesting grassroots car culture getting a bigger audience in the wake of it. Try this, for instance (also a result of skaters and BMXers getting older and starting to play with cars): Keep Drifting Fun
He made his fortune as a founder of DC Shoes, and made a ton of skateboard videos over the years. Making a rally/drift car video in the same style (and by the same process of try and try again until you nail each trick) was a moment of absolute bloody genius.
There’s some interesting grassroots car culture getting a bigger audience in the wake of it. Try this, for instance (also a result of skaters and BMXers getting older and starting to play with cars): Keep Drifting Fun
Gymkhana 99 Block in a zimmer frame racing around the nursing home - great, light entertainment thats does not cost me anything!
We all know what to expect when watching the video, I enjoy them and yes a bit repetetive but a better 10 mins of my life while I am on hold for 40 mins trying to get through to mobile phone company!
People have mentioned that they are bored with it but with over 21m viewers already and growing a great bit of marketing, by Kenny DC Shoes and Ford, I think they are filmed towards the younger end of the scale ie teens (I do not believe many of the PH's wear DC shoes)If a teen watches the video then when they reach the ripe old age of 17 then they may want a ford focus with stickers and drive like Kenny B.
We all know what to expect when watching the video, I enjoy them and yes a bit repetetive but a better 10 mins of my life while I am on hold for 40 mins trying to get through to mobile phone company!
People have mentioned that they are bored with it but with over 21m viewers already and growing a great bit of marketing, by Kenny DC Shoes and Ford, I think they are filmed towards the younger end of the scale ie teens (I do not believe many of the PH's wear DC shoes)If a teen watches the video then when they reach the ripe old age of 17 then they may want a ford focus with stickers and drive like Kenny B.
I don't mind them, and Block seems like a nice bloke in interviews, but I think over exposure is his greatest enemy. The snootiness that's come about is, in part, because of this exposure, because every 13 year old thinks Block is the greatest driver in the world, because Monster energy stickers have become the new BarryBoy must-have accessory and, in a more specific market, because Codemasters have replaced Colin McRae with Block, Foust and Pastrana in their rally games as the heroes.
As I say, I have nothing against Block but he's in danger of becoming a victim of his sudden rise to prominence and own marketing. Had he burst into WRC as a real competitor, it might have been different (and we should be grateful that his involvement gives WRC some US exposure) but it boils down to Block being a very good stunt driver but just an OK rally driver. Remember that, and they're entertaining slices of automotive fun.
As I say, I have nothing against Block but he's in danger of becoming a victim of his sudden rise to prominence and own marketing. Had he burst into WRC as a real competitor, it might have been different (and we should be grateful that his involvement gives WRC some US exposure) but it boils down to Block being a very good stunt driver but just an OK rally driver. Remember that, and they're entertaining slices of automotive fun.
Edited by Ali_T on Wednesday 18th July 11:26
monthefish said:
the title of this piece said:
PH Blog: Ken Block's Gymkhana ... snooze
And while we are on the subject of trivial things, why is the second poster marked as the original poster?(
)
I shall reiterate my previous statement and say that the title is all part of the blog, and therefore Dan's own personal opinion 
.As for the second poster being marked as the OP, you and he must have both responded at the same time, thus creating two threads that we have since merged into one...
So what if some of the tricks have been seen before? I think the setting of San Fran where some of the best car chases have been filmed is more than enough to warrant a bit of 'Block'ing'!
Think of it in terms of what he does with his surroundings and you might enjoy it a bit more. Someone mentioned his skateboarding background and this is what gives him the 'eye' for a location.
I enjoy watching 'free running' videos, a lot of the tricks have been done before but not necessarily in the environment or over the obstacle they choose....that's what makes it entertaining.
Think of it in terms of what he does with his surroundings and you might enjoy it a bit more. Someone mentioned his skateboarding background and this is what gives him the 'eye' for a location.
I enjoy watching 'free running' videos, a lot of the tricks have been done before but not necessarily in the environment or over the obstacle they choose....that's what makes it entertaining.
Ali_T said:
I don't mind them, and Block seems like a nice bloke in interviews, but I think over exposure is his greatest enemy. The snootiness that's come about is, in part, because if this, because every 13 year old thinks Block is the greatest driver in the world, because Monster energy stickers have become the new BarryBoy must have accessory and, in a more specific market, because Codemasters have replaced Colin McRae with Block, Foust and Pastrana in their rally games as the heroes. As I say, I have nothing against Block but he's in danger of becoming a victim of his sudden rise to prominence and own marketing. Had he burst into WRC as a real competitor, it might have been different (and we should be grateful that his involvement gives WRC some US exposure) but it boild down to Block being a very good stunt driver but just an OK rally driver.
Someone gets itmonthefish said:
PH on the subject of the latest Ken Block video said:
We'll be honest here. When we heard that Ken Block was making another iteration of his gymkhana video series, we were a little cynical.
Sure, the master of the art of hoonery has become an internet sensation over the years, and his ability to make a hugely powerful 4wd rally car do hilarious things is broadly unparalleled. But (whisper it) we were getting just a little bored of it all, so we thought Gymkhana Five might be a mild disappointment.
It's not. The reason? Block's taken his 650hp Fiesta onto the streets of San Francisco, and any project that gets the Bay Bridge closed specifically for the purposes of hooning earns our eternal respect. Plus, some of the jumps as he careers around the famously hilly city are truly giggleworthy.
Sure, the master of the art of hoonery has become an internet sensation over the years, and his ability to make a hugely powerful 4wd rally car do hilarious things is broadly unparalleled. But (whisper it) we were getting just a little bored of it all, so we thought Gymkhana Five might be a mild disappointment.
It's not. The reason? Block's taken his 650hp Fiesta onto the streets of San Francisco, and any project that gets the Bay Bridge closed specifically for the purposes of hooning earns our eternal respect. Plus, some of the jumps as he careers around the famously hilly city are truly giggleworthy.
PH on the subject of the latest Ken Block video later said:
What to say about Ken Block's Gymkhana Five? Posted up on July 9, at the time of writing this just 10 days later it's showing over 21m views. Am I the only one of those millions who, after the first minute or so, found themselves thinking "yeah, so what"?
I found it a weird sensation, for sure. After all, what's not to like about some gratuitous, beautifully filmed hooning by an incredibly skilled driver who, thanks to the power of his brand and the internet, can get large parts of one of America's major cities closed off simply so he can do some donuts for a YouTube film?
And yet, there I was. Bored.
So which is the official PH line then?I found it a weird sensation, for sure. After all, what's not to like about some gratuitous, beautifully filmed hooning by an incredibly skilled driver who, thanks to the power of his brand and the internet, can get large parts of one of America's major cities closed off simply so he can do some donuts for a YouTube film?
And yet, there I was. Bored.
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