'Gymkhana' star Block switches to Toyo

CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2016) — Rally driver Ken Block, whose “Gymkhana” series of tire-smoking, extreme driving videos has made him a viral video star, has signed a multi-year partnership with Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., switching his tire choice away from Pirelli after a five-year run with the Italian company's brand.

Mr. Block's debut on Toyo tires will be in “Gymkhana Eight,” which is set to launch Feb. 29 on the Ford Motor co. YouTube channel, Toyo said. He'll be driving a 650-hp Ford Fiesta ST RX43 equipped with Toyo's Proxes R1R performance tires.

“I'm stoked to have Toyo Tires joining me in my ongoing quest to kill as many tires as possible,” Mr. Block said.

“It's an exciting partnership for me because I feel like everyone at Toyo Tires understands my mission to be competitive on-track, but to be able to take these amazing race cars and have fun with them off track — which for myself means smoky, sideways driving doing Gymkhana.”

Neither Mr. Block nor Toyo disclosed any details of where Gymkhana Eight was shot, but Toyo noted it had partnered with Mr. Block's Hoonigan Racing production company to offer a glimpse at the new reflective black-on-black livery at hooniganracing.com.

Mr. Block's last Gymkhana video featured him four-wheel drifting his 845-hp, custom-built 4-wheel-drive 1965 Mustang through the streets of Los Angeles.

Mr. Block offered a positive critique of the Proxes R1R, noting that they “provided good tire smoke, but really good mid-slide feel. They broke away very predictably and allowed me to pull off some pretty tricky maneuvers with confidence.”

Amy Coleman, Toyo's senior director of marketing, said Mr. Block “shares our ‘All or Nothing' attitude at Toyo Tires, and we look forward to making more incredible content with him over the years.”

Toyo also plans to feature Mr. Block in its marketing efforsts, including advertising and promotions.

In addition to the Gymkhana videos and other promotional work, Mr. Block intends to compete this year in the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship, which features 12 rounds and kicks off in Montalegre, Portugal, April 16-17.