RE: PH Blog: Ken Block's Gymkhana ... snooze
Discussion
PH: Trolling so you don't have to... 
I think it was the power of the Ford Motor Company that got half of San Fran closed, as opposed to Mr. Block.
I'm not a great fan of the X Games and this sort of stuff, but you can't deny the man has driving talent - it wouldn't matter how often I practiced, I'm not sure I would ever be able to do the stuff he does.
I'm not a great fan of the X Games and this sort of stuff, but you can't deny the man has driving talent - it wouldn't matter how often I practiced, I'm not sure I would ever be able to do the stuff he does.
I appreciate the skill and car alike, both fantastic, however I felt the surroundings were too clinical and bare, maybe because every Hollywood car chase in SF does roughly the same thing but with traffic, trams (full with people, pedestrians, fuit stalls, cardboard boxes etc. Plus you could see all his practice runs smudged on the street, which for some reason irked me.
I like his stuff, just not that vid.
I like his stuff, just not that vid.
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.
Absolutely spot on. The "Block is a driving god" monicker is something that has been added by PR and 13 year old fanboys. As stated whenever I've seen him interviewed in the WRC, GRC etc. he always seems humbled by his competitors. I personally enjoy the gymkhana films and, although I don't think any of them will have the same impact (or rawness) as the first film, I'll continue to watch them.
As for Block I admire what he does. Yeah, I seriously doubt he's ever going to have major success in the WRC, but he obviously has a passion for rally and cars.
tbtstt said:
Absolutely spot on. The "Block is a driving god" monicker is something that has been added by PR and 13 year old fanboys. As stated whenever I've seen him interviewed in the WRC, GRC etc. he always seems humbled by his competitors.
This always seems to have been the case to be fair. He's in a position that he's worked very hard over the years to get to, to be able to go rallying for a hobby. But he's certainly very well aware of the talent his competitors have. I seem to recall an interview before he started in the WRC basically saying he hoped to learn a lot about rallying while competing. jon- said:
Watch this instead. This is a PROPER motorsport video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIoO_N8bSP0&fe...
epic....simply epichttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIoO_N8bSP0&fe...
I agree with the law of diminishing returns comment. Each subsequent one is less "special" because in some respects you've seen it all before. However, it's viral advertising and having several million people view it shows that it's still working. When they start getting less hits, I'm sure they'll come up with something new.
tbtstt said:
The "Block is a driving god" monicker is something that has been added by PR and 13 year old fanboys. As stated whenever I've seen him interviewed in the WRC, GRC etc. he always seems humbled by his competitors.
In many ways, Block is like the old school playboy GP drivers. A rich businessman that's got enough money and fame to allow him to drive alongside his heroes. He does come across as being a genuine fan of rallying that gets to live the dream. And his participation in the Colin McRae memorial event goes a long way to proving that for me. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff