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9 Comments     April 6, 2009

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Ken Block Gymkhana: the Remix

KB launches new Gymkhana site with an alternate edit of the Gymkhana Practice clip oozing with bonus footage.

For all eight of you on Internet that missed the first Gymkhana Practice video, go here. For the other 20 million, watch the new video below, read what Ken has to say about it and then go to DC’s Gymkhana site to check out more bonus goodies, wallpapers, poems, t-shirts, and car specs.

KB Q&A:

1. Did you ever think that out of all the videos you have on the Internet, it would be the Gymkhana one to do over 20 million views in five months?

No, not at all! I knew it was going to be somewhat popular, but I had no idea that people were going to respond to it as they have.

2. Speaking of responses, you’ve been getting a mixed bag of comments on both YouTube and the forums. Since 99% of them seem to be positive, let’s start there. How do you feel about people calling you “Rally GOD” and a “Legend?”

I am stoked that people appreciate what I have done in that clip, but I understand my place in the rally world. I am a solid national level driver, but I am not even a national champion yet! So, when I see these high-level compliments, it embarrasses me. Seriously! I had a lot of fun making that clip and I really enjoy pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in my car, but those compliments are just too much.

When someone says “Rally GOD”, one name comes quickly to my mind: Colin McRae. I just really enjoy having fun in my rally cars, but I am nothing compared to a guy like Colin.

3. How do you feel about the few who seem too critical of the video, either pointing out that it’s just fancy editing and that many of the shots could easily be replicated by average drivers.

I have never tried to hide the fact that the video was edited or that it took several tries to do each one of those stunts. That’s why the video title has the word “Practice” in it! And, we even show four sets of tires at the beginning. But, I encourage any “average” driver to replicate the moves in that video and put it on YouTube (obviously on a closed course).

4. There has been a bit comparing the Gymkhana clip to the film Climb Dance, what are your thoughts on that?

Climb Dance is one of my all time favorite rally video clips. I love Group B rally cars and I truly love the old days of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. So, for my clip to be compared to that clip is truly remarkable. Seriously, I never thought that anyone would think that those two videos would belong in the same category. Personally, I don’t put them into the same category at all.

5. Outside of comments on the web, what do fellow driver’s think about the clip?

I have received so many emails and compliments in the past couple of months—and not just from drivers. From Rob Dyrdek (pro skateboarder & MTV personality) to Chris Atkinson (WRC driver) to Lil’Jon (rapper). It’s been ridiculous.

6. Which was the best kudo?

I was standing in the start area of the Super Special in Cardiff, Wales at the WRC GB race. Dani Sordo rolled up and I waved to him, and then looked away. A friend that was standing next to me elbowed me to look back at Dani because Dani was waving to me to come over to his car. So, I ran over and he said, “I saw your gymkhana video…I loved it! Awesome driving!” It shocked me to have a top level WRC driver compliment me like that…especially as he was just about a minute and ½ from starting the Super Special Stage in Cardiff Stadium!

7. Okay, so now let’s talk about the “BONUS” edit? Why?

We were just trying to have a little fun with the footage. I wanted to add some music and show some of the shots in slow-mo. There was lots of extra footage that we didn’t want to use in the original edit because we wanted to tell the gymkhana “course” story-line in a nice complete way. Plus, we didn’t want to have any music in the original piece…the roar of the boxer engine was the sound track.

8. Aside from clipping the fearless Segway pilot, it appears you had a slight disagreement with some barriers in the new edit. What happened?

Slight miscalculation of speed. Shit happens, sometimes.

9. Can we expect a Gymkhana Part Two any time soon?

Yes, we plan on doing another video. But, it’s going to be VERY hard to one-up the first one, but I am going to try my best.

10. So lastly, confirm or deny that you drive an STI tank to breakfast in Utah.

Well, it won’t fit thru the fast-food drive thru, so I have yet to actually catch breakfast in it. But it has been used for a beer run.

Yes you can buy the Segway donuts tee here: (http://gymkhana.dcshoes.com/)

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 11:37 am and is filed under ** Highlight **, Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses to “Ken Block Gymkhana: the Remix”

04.6.09 at 3:51 pm

cjs says:
haha…. ya, buddy…

04.7.09 at 8:44 am

Evisu Johnston says:
Sick.

04.9.09 at 4:52 pm

Alex says:
Ken rocks. Awesome video too.

04.12.09 at 5:31 pm

neverendingmods says:
Looking forward to part II. My 4yr old nephew and 7 yr old nephew both loved the vid too. They now point out other Subies on the road, lol.

04.15.09 at 4:24 am

LCD says:
Cool..!

04.16.09 at 5:46 am

New Ken Block footage!! - ScoobyNet says:
[...] of you who enjoyed this may be interested to read this: Ken Block - Gymkhana Remix Interview This is the interview that accompanied the release of the remix video. He does actually seem like [...]

09.25.09 at 3:32 pm

rosostrov.ru says:
Please provide more detail on specific cuts and increases.

09.27.09 at 10:39 am

forum.xakepok.net says:
shut up stercon ur so random

10.12.09 at 7:39 am

????? ??? says:
interesting stuff hope it works.

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