The formula, taking a competition car out of competition and ragging it senseless, expanded over the years. Ken Block Rallying became Hoonigan Industries, the cars became more bespoke, the locations more exotic, the sponsors bigger, the stunts wilder. We all have our favorites: for me the donut inside the hanger in Gymkhana Practice, the spin on the Montlhéry banking in Gymkhana 3 and Gym5’s jump over the hills of San Fransisco. At the time each was a seminal moment.

This was big budget film-making dedicated to making cars cool and we lapped it up, it showed us that there was more to auto life than racing or competition. Yes, other things such as drifting and rally-cross had been there before and nudged the boundaries, but in Ken Block we had a focal point for our passion, a north star to marvel at. 

His influence should not be underestimated, because he (and his team) understood that it was about the visuals, about putting cameras where they had never been before, about explosions and donuts and smoke and Segways and tires and skids and, well, everything that makes cars exciting and dramatic and dangerous.

His background wasn’t cars, it was skate shoes. His focus on marketing at DC Shoes had them staging stunts and creating visual content and adverts to promote the product. It was this Californian extreme and street sports attitude that he mashed in with rallying to create Gymkhana and make it a global phenomenon. 

This relentless, dizzying, high octane, stunt packed bombardment that we see in so much car content these days, is pure extreme sports, seen in everything from skiing to mountain biking. He’s not only taken from it, he’s given back. Would athletes such as Danny MacAskill and Markus Eder be as successful if Ken Block hadn’t helped create a format and open up that audience?

It’s no exaggeration to say that we’ve all learned from him. His impact has been felt far and wide and especially at Top Gear. He appeared on the show a few times, in fact we jumped on the Block train early sending James May out to film with him in 2009. Then in 2016 we worked with him on making a film in London. That remains the most watched film TopGear has ever put on YouTube. 

He almost looked awkward. He sat back from the steering wheel, drove with arms quite straight, chin tucked down, head back, but you knew from the first pitch of the car sideways that he was pinpoint accurate, already had complete confidence in the car and could make it do his bidding.

He was fun to be around, and that came through in his driving and in his films. It’s not a stretch to describe him as revolutionary. He understood the showmanship of driving better than anyone, his impact reaching far beyond a regular car audience to transform car culture for the online generation. His legacy lies not only in his films and output, but also in his ability to inspire people into the future. That will not die with him. Thank you, Ken.

Whats New at Speedzone This Year?

To start the year, I'll be heading to Tokyo Auto Salon 2023 next week and for the first time bringing some of the SPDZ1 Lifestyle to Japan.  I'm excited, and if I'm going to be honest a bit nervous.  Let's face it, since 1995 when I first picked up a copy of Super Street Magazine in my parents book store and started reading articles of some of the amazing cars being built with the Japanese influence here and abroad, I've been in awe of what is the culture.  It's only ever been a dream to be able to visit the country and one that I said to myself this year I would make come true no matter what. 

With little to no information (and probably very incorrectly) I started by buying tickets to Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) first so I would have to force myself to buy tickets and then book a hotel back in early December as soon as we got back from the cruise we took as a company.  From there it's been one lego after another falling into place, from booking a ticket, to getting my wife on board, to hotel booking and a giant list of places I've created I want to visit and find out more about while in the country.  I've learned tons of facts about appropriate behavior in the country, to what places are safe for visitors, to the best areas to look for car parts, and what companies I should visit and do some v-logging for our Social Media Posts.

My goal, is to bring the most authentic experience possible to all of you who have, like me, dreamed of going and not made it there.  Who knows? Maybe my trip will inspire more people who are into the culture and scene to travel and get to see what the culture and history of Japan are all about.  I look forward to my travels and hope any of you that read this will post below places you would want to see me video for you while on my adventure.

Lets Talk About Collectibles

Did you know that about a year ago, we started getting into Hot Wheels heavily in our retail locations?  From collecting for my son and the enthusiasm I've seen from tons of customers in our stores, I've decided this should be part of our business.  I've prepared a small lesson on collecting for all of you below, and hope you will visit our growing Collectibles section online to get some goodies for your collection.  Remember all of these items are more select and once sold out may not be available again, so get them while you can!

Collecting Hot Wheels and other Diecast Cars: A Beginner's Guide

If you're a car enthusiast or simply a fan of miniature collectibles, then you might be interested in starting a collection of Hot Wheels and other diecast cars. Diecast cars are miniature models of real cars that are made of metal, hence the term "diecast." These collectible cars come in various scales, with Hot Wheels cars being some of the most popular due to their small size and affordable prices.

But where do you start when it comes to collecting Hot Wheels and other diecast cars? How do you find the best deals and add rare and valuable cars to your collection? In this blog post, we'll go over the basics of collecting Hot Wheels and other diecast cars and provide some tips and resources to help you get started.

Why Collect Hot Wheels and Other Diecast Cars?

There are many reasons why people collect Hot Wheels and other diecast cars. For some, it's a nostalgic trip down memory lane, as Hot Wheels cars have been around since 1968 and many collectors had them as kids. For others, it's a hobby that allows them to engage with their inner car enthusiast and learn more about different car models and their history. Some collectors also enjoy the thrill of the hunt, searching for rare and hard-to-find models to add to their collection.

Regardless of the reason, collecting Hot Wheels and other diecast cars can be a fun and rewarding hobby for people of all ages. It's a great way to relax and take a break from the stresses of everyday life, and it can also be a social activity as there are many collectors clubs and events where you can meet like-minded people and trade or sell cars.

Getting Started: Tips and Resources

If you're new to collecting Hot Wheels and other diecast cars, here are a few tips to help you get started:

Determine your budget: Collecting diecast cars can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. Hot Wheels cars are generally affordable, with most retailing for around $1 to $5 each. However, rare and hard-to-find models can fetch much higher prices, especially if they are in mint condition. Determine how much you want to spend on your collection and try to stick to your budget.

Decide on a focus: Do you want to collect a specific brand or model of car? Do you want to focus on a particular theme, such as muscle cars or classic cars? Or do you want to collect a mix of different brands and models? Deciding on a focus will help you narrow down your search and make it easier to find the cars you want.

Research prices: Before you buy a car, it's a good idea to research its current market value. You can find this information on websites like eBay or at collectors clubs and events. This will help you avoid overpaying for a car and ensure that you're getting a good deal.

Join a collectors club: There are many collectors clubs for Hot Wheels and other diecast cars, both online and in person. Joining a club can be a great way to meet other collectors, learn about the hobby, and get access to exclusive deals and events.

Follow collectors on social media: There are many collectors on social media who share their collections, tips, and resources for other collectors. Following these collectors can be a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest releases and trends in the world of diecast cars.

Buy from reputable sellers: When buying Hot Wheels and other diecast collectibles.

With that, I'll leave you all till our next blog, where we will get deeper into our plans for new products and the year ahead.

(Click the Hot Wheels Logo Above for a Cool Video)

Vishal Mathur

President/CEO