DC Launches Gymkhana THREE, Part 2

Courtesy of DC Shoes
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – DC and Ken Block are proud to announce the release of the newest video in the widely successful Gymkhana franchise with Gymkhana THREE, Part 2; Ultimate Playground; l'Autodrome, France. Following up Part 1; The Music Video Infomercial, this action-packed video focuses on the acclaimed raw driving style seen in the original Gymkhana Practice. DC Co-Founder/Chief Brand Officer and World Rally Championship driver, Ken Block scoured the globe to find the "Ultimate Playground," an amazing location that allowed Ken to take Gymkhana to a new, groundbreaking level in his Ford Fiesta. Check out the craziest Gymkhana video yet now live at http://www.dcshoes.com/gym3.

"The stunts I perform in Gymkhana THREE, Part 2 are without a doubt the craziest stuff I have ever attempted behind the wheel," said Ken. "We knew in order to out do the previous films, we'd really have to take it to the next level, and since you can't kickflip a car, the location needed to allow me to do things never done before in car. Sure, I've seen people drift banks, but never ones this steep, and never head on. I treated the Autodrome's 51-degree wall like a quarter pipe and it was awesome. Awesomely sketchy! Who knew you could do a wall ride in a car?"

Shot in Linas, just south of Paris, France at l'Autodrome de Linas –Montlhéry, the 1.58-mile oval track, built in 1924, features banks as steep as 51 degrees, which is more than double the standard incline of most NASCAR ovals. Chosen by Ken for this specific reason, the ramp-like banking proved to be a unique and exciting challenge. The driving physics for the stunts Ken did were completely unknown until he actually attempted them. Look for insane moves throughout the video including the ultimate trick- a 360 alley-oop performed at the top of the bank, as well as a 1440 (that’s 4, 360 degree spins!) in the rain, new multi directional Segway donuts, 360 bank spins and tire-killing donuts, to name a few.

"The originality and performance in this video is truly next level," said DC’s President, Anton Nistl. "We are so proud of the entire Gymkhana series and we’re excited to show the public the next chapter in creativity and innovation from DC and Ken Block. Recent accolades have placed DC as the most successful footwear and apparel company to ever market in the digital marketing space. Not to mention that Gymkhana TWO is also considered to be the biggest viral automotive ad of all time. These are both huge accomplishments for us."

A "star" of the video in its own right, the Gymkhana THREE 2011 Ford Fiesta was spec’d out and designed specifically for this project.  Built by Olsbergs Motorsport Evolution, the Fiesta features a heavily-modded Duratec 2.0l engine that produces a staggering 650 horses with 660 lb-ft of torque. All this power in a 2,425 lb chassis creates a super-car beating power-to-weight ratio.  Running from a stop to 60 mph in a staggering 1.9 seconds beating even the Bugatti Veyron, the car’s speed is only one part of the package. What makes Ken’s Fiesta unique is how it is intended to handle and slide on tarmac—like a rally car on gravel.

The overall design and livery featured on the Fiesta is an evolution of Ken’s current MWRT competition cars. Main features include Ken’s signature paint drip graphic as well as the personalized KB logo treatment including Ken’s signature "Block" lettering and # 43 graphic designed by famous graphic illustrator, toy designer and street culture artist, Huck Gee. Ken’s newest DC apparel, footwear and accessories, which can be seen in both parts of the Gymkhana THREE Project, were also inspired by the colors and graphics of Ken’s racing cars.

The DC x Ken Block Gymkhana video franchise now consists of seven videos including Gymkhana Practice, Bonus Edit, TWO, 2.1; the educational anniversary video, Hot For Words, and now the two part Gymkhana THREE Project. A viral internet sensation, these videos have had more than 70 million views online and received numerous awards. Most recently the Gymkhana TWO video was named one of Ad Age’s "Top 10 Viral Ads of All Time", a huge honor for DC and Ken; won a 2010 People’s Telly Silver Award, presented by YouTube; earned a Bronze Pencil at the One Show Entertainment Awards in the "Online Branded Entertainment" category, and was #4 on Ad Age’s list of top viral videos of 2009.

For more information on the Gymkhana THREE Project including behind the scenes photos and info on Gym3: Part 1 and Gym3: Part 2 visit http://www.dcshoes.com/gym3.

About DC:
Founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993, DC quickly grew to a leader in performance skateboarding shoes and renowned action sports brand. Today DC stands as a global brand whose product line has expanded to include men’s, women’s and kids’ skateboarding and lifestyle shoes, apparel, snowboards, snowboard boots, outerwear, and accessories.

As one of the cornerstones of its marketing strategy, DC has built a world-class team of professional skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross and rally athletes that exemplify and enhance DC’s brand, develop its signature products, and support its promotional efforts. DC is a subsidiary of Quiksilver, Inc.

About Ken Block:
Ken Block’s rally career began in 2005. His skill and car control became quickly apparent and Block aptly nabbed Rookie of the Year in the Rally America Championship. Since then, Block has continued to race in the series, boasting a healthy number of podium appearances, as well as X Games medals. In addition to his performance in the car, Block has been a driving force in shedding light on the sport within the United States. Block co-founded DC Shoes, a worldwide leader in performance skateboarding shoes and a renowned action sports brand. His keen branding and marketing acumen not only elevated DC to their current eminent status, but has allowed Block to achieve global fame as a national rally driver through his wildly successful viral video campaigns. Ad Age named his "Gymkhana TWO" the No. 4 Viral Video of 2009. In January 2010, Block signed with Ford Motor Company to campaign both the Rally America series and the World Rally Championship, being the first American to do so.

About DC x KB Gymkhana Videos:
The Gymkhana franchise launched in November 2008 with the release of the Gymkhana Practice video and to-date the series consists of seven videos including, Gymkhana Practice, Bonus Edit, TWO, 2.1, the educational anniversary video, Hot For Words, and now the two part Gymkhana THREE Project – Gymkhana THREE, Part 1; The Music Video Infomercial and Gymkhana THREE, Part 2; Ultimate Playground; l'Autodrome, France. Together the videos have been viewed more thank 70 million times virally and have received numerous awards.

Gymkhana Practice - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs-jAImScms
Gymkhana Bonus - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v60CaKqE4Bo
Gymkhana "Hot For Words" – http://www.youtube.com/user/DCshoesFILM#p/search/0/nC6eHZ1qeys
Gymkhana Two The Infomercial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ7R_buZPSo 
Gymkhana 2.1, Block vs. Dyrdek - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ48NQjouoE  
Gymkhana THREE, Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/user/DCshoesFILM#p/u/5/EYUSlnXcYeU
Gymkhana THREE, Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TshFWSsrn8Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

SPY Announces Strategic Partnership with Ken Block and 43 Racin

Courtesy of Spy Optical

SPY Announces Strategic Partnership with Ken Block and 43 Racing

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Carlsbad, California – July 30, 2010 –SPY joins the Block party! Consummating a relationship that has over 10 years of history, SPY has joined an elite stable of brands to support and promote Ken Block and the Monster World Rally Team.
Block began his career in rally with a bang in 2005, being named the Rally America Rookie of the Year. He continued racing in the national series with much success and a long list of podium finishes. Then in 2010, Block moved on to the big leagues, racing all over the globe in the World Rally Championship with the newly formed Monster World Rally Team. This was history in the making, since Block is the first American to ever campaign a WRC program.
The partnership establishes Ken Block as an official Ambassador for the SPY brand in the sport of Rally and aligns the brand with one of the best marketing machines action sports has ever seen. “The SPY brand was born of motor sports and our history with Ken runs deep,” says Matt Harkins, VP - Brand Management for SPY. “We surround ourselves with athletes who look good going fast and Ken does that better than most. This partnership solidifies a longstanding relationship and positions us all to drive forward into greatness and have lots of fun in the process!”
Look forward to Ken rocking SPY in and out of races and SPY signature style to grace the now infamous Gymkhana video series. Coming Summer 2011, SPY will release a signature collection of product that reflects the spirit of all things Block. Stay tuned to spyoptic.com for more details.
"I’ve been wearing SPY sunglasses for a while; I have always been a big fan of their frames,” says Ken Block, “So I am really stoked that I finally get to design my own pair. As with everything related to myself and the team, I really value the ability to have a say in the look and feel of the products that represent us. That said, this is going to be an awesome project.”
Look for Ken to hit the X Games by storm this weekend in LA in both the Rally Car Racing event and the all-new Super Rally event, where drivers race door-to-door moto-x style around the track instead of against the clock. It will be a rally royal rumble at the Coliseum this Saturday. Rally is expected to be the most anticipated event in the X Games schedule and SPY and Ken Block will be making lots of noise. Check out all the events on espn.com.
SPY is the brand that invites you to Live Thru Our Lens…
SPY Optic was created by a passionate group of action sports and motor sports enthusiasts who quickly attracted the attention of the world’s best athletes. Based in Southern California, at the crossroads of an emerging Action Sports culture in the mid-nineties, the SPY brand was born. The Cross, a symbol commonly used to denote faith, is for SPYa signal rather than a symbol. Representing our unique position as a nexus entity immersed in Boardsports, Motor sports, Fashion and Culture. SPYis the Brand that invites the world to “Live Thru Our Lens.”

The SPY brand has supplied not only the fashion to suit your passion; it has been a market leader in eyewear related technology. The SPY Scoop® venting system combats lens fogging by promoting airflow between the lens and the wearer’s face. SPY’s polarization treatments supersede existing eyewear standards with its premium injected Trident polarized lenses. The lenses effectively eliminate more than 99 percent of blinding glare for precise, unobstructed vision. Look for SPYto keep pushing the boundaries for both taste & technology! Stay on top of all the biz at spyoptic.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "feel," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Comments in this press release regarding, among other things, our future prospects, new opportunities, the success of our brand and the success of our new partnership with Ken Block are forward-looking statements and are subject to inherent risks. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the general conditions of the domestic and global economy, changes in consumer discretionary spending; changes in the value of the U.S. dollar, Canadian dollar and Euro; changes in commodity prices; our ability to source raw materials and finished products at favorable prices; risks related to the limited visibility of future orders; our ability to continue to develop, produce and introduce innovative new products in a timely manner; the performance of new products and continued acceptance of current products; our execution of strategic initiatives and alliances; uncertainties associated with intellectual property protection for our products; and other risks identified from time to time in our Orange 21 Inc. filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although, we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results. Moreover, we assume no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking statements and undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

 
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Courtesy of Ken Block 

Ken Block Announces New Gymkhana Grid Motorsports Series

Gymkhana Grid and Ken Block launch the Ken Block Gymkhana Invitational!
Palmdale, CA (PRWEB) July 7, 2010 -- In 2008, Ken Block shook up the automotive world with Gymkhana Practice--the first in a series of viral videos. Seventy million views later, Block has teamed up with the Gymkhana Grid series to bring the action to you live. Starting with two events in 2010, these races will be lined with purpose-built, high-powered machines, piloted by some of the world’s biggest names in motorsport, pitted against each other in a heads-up race against the clock. The courses (co-designed by Block himself) are guaranteed to provide big smoke, long slides, excessive speeds and a challenge to all who battle for the crown.

Ken Block's Gymkhana 3 Ford Fiesta

“Ever since we filmed the first Gymkhana clip, I’ve been itching to not only get my professional racing friends to be able to come and play with me in this incredibly fun, sideways and technical motorsport, but also to make it possible for amateur drivers to participate, too ” says Block. “And Gymkhana Grid does exactly that.” Founded by Christopher Willard, the Gymkhana Grid series seeks to be more than a one-off event. With years of organizing track days under his belt, as well as co-founding the Redline Time Attack series, Christopher shared Ken’s passion for the sport and sought his expertise on course design, as well as overall rules and regulations. The two then presented the Gymkhana Grid Invitational, as well as an inaugural grassroots event.
The first event, being held August 7-8th in Hollywood Park, CA, will feature pro and amateur racers competing head to head, and testing the course layout with anything from a rear-driven sports car to all-wheel-drive sedans. For those new to the sport, there will be workshops and schools to help grow the awareness of gymkhana on the grassroots level.
Then, on December 3-4th, the first Gymkhana Grid Ken Block Invitational will kick off at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA. Competitors will range from rally racers like Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra, to drifters like Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Tanner Foust. This will be the first event of its kind, promising to not only provide competitors with a new and exciting racing format, but also to give spectators a true all-out, tire smoking, sideways sliding race. And all of this is just a glimpse of what will be coming from Gymkhana Grid in 2011.
Ken Block brought the term “Gymkhana” to the masses through viral videos such as Gymkhana Practice (2008), and Gymkhana Two: The Infomercial (2009). These two videos set the standard as to what Ken saw as a modern interpretation of a traditional form of racing, and in turn gained tens of millions of views worldwide. With its origins dating back to a style of horse racing (also known as gymkhana), the sport requires not only physical driving skills, but mental training as well. Courses are set up with both precision driving and high speed in mind, with a pre-determined sequence of drifts, figure 8s, donuts, and slaloms that the driver must memorize.
While the sport of gymkhana has a niche following in countries such as Japan and England, Gymkhana Grid introduces much bigger courses designed for high-powered cars and versatile drivers who can call upon a varied list of motoring skills, from drifting, rally racing and road racing. Only the most well-rounded racers will prevail.

More information, such as rules and regulations, can be found at www.gymkhanagrid.com
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DC Announces Sponsorship of Star Racing Yamaha

Image via Wikipedia

Courtesy of DC Shoes

VISTA, CA - DC is proud to announce its sponsorship of the DNA Shred Stix/ Star Racing/ Yamaha team for the 2010 AMA Supercross and Motocross season. The 2010 team boasts promising riders Broc Tickle, who returns from the 2009 team, as well as Nico Izzi, Martin Davalos, and Max Anstie.

“The DNA Shred Stix/ Star Racing/ Yamaha team has some of the brightest stars in motocross,” said DC’s Vice President of Marketing Kelly Magrath. “We’re proud that they will be wearing DC products for the upcoming season and can’t wait to see what they’ll be doing out on the track.”

“This new relationship with DC is nothing short of fantastic,” said Donovan Mitchell, the DNA Shred Stix/ Star Racing/ Yahama Team Coordinator. “Getting an opportunity to be in involved with a company of this status is so awesome and knowing that DC only works with the best like the DNA Shred Stix/ Star Racing/ Yamaha squad makes this relationship that much better.”

The riders echo the same excitement about the new partnership. “I’m stoked to be backed by DC, who is making the coolest looking shoes by far, said Nico Izzi. “ I plan on being a leader this season and making a run for the title, so watch out.”

The DNA Shred Stix/ Star Racing/ Yamaha team will all be competing for the 2010 Lites title. For more information on DC, its products and the motocross program please visit www.dcshoes.com/moto.

About DC:
Founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993, DC quickly grew to a leader in performance skateboarding shoes and renowned action sports brand. Today DC stands as a global brand whose product line has expanded to include men’s, women’s and kids’ skateboarding and lifestyle shoes, apparel, snowboards, snowboard boots, outerwear, and accessories.

As one of the cornerstones of its marketing strategy, DC has built a world-class team of professional skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross and rally athletes that exemplify and enhance DC’s brand, develop its signature products, and support its promotional efforts. DC is a subsidiary of Quiksilver, Inc

DC Welcomes MTV's Nitro Circus Girl Jolene Van Vugt To Its Moto Team

Image via Wikipedia

Press Release from DC Shoes

July 9, 2009 - VISTA, CA - DC is proud to officially announce Jolene Van Vugt as the newest addition to its elite moto X team. Jolene is the first girl to be added to DC's moto roster and is quickly becoming known as one of the top females in motocross.

"I'm so excited to be the newest addition to the DC family," said Jolene. "DC is such a strong brand that takes great care of their athletes, and I can't get enough of their amazing footwear and apparel product for women because girls love their clothes, head to toe."

Known as Nitro girl thanks to her role on MTV's, "Nitro Circus," Jolene has established herself as one of the most accomplished female athletes in action sports today. Her incredible and ongoing lists of accomplishments include becoming the first CMRC Women's Canadian Motocross National Champion, first female to backflip a full-sized dirt bike, holder of multiple Guinness World Records, and co-star of many motocross/stunt videos.

"The energy and dedication that Jolene brings to the DC moto X team as one of the leading females in action sports and role as MTV's Nitro girl will help bring recognition to DC's elite moto team and enhance our already amazing roster," said Tim English, DC Moto Sports Marketing Manager.

A Canadian native from London, Ontario Canada, Jolene can hold her own, out ride most and chances are pretty good that she would beat most in an arm wrestling match. Jolene's sponsors include DC, Alpinestars, Fox Racing, Electric Visual, EVS, Ogio, Giant Bikes, Tubend Racing, and 8 sixsix industries.

Stay tuned for more on this promising Nitro girl and visit www.dcshoes.com/moto for more information.



About DC:
Founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993, DC quickly grew to a leader in performance skateboarding shoes and renowned action sports brand. Today DC stands as a global brand whose product line has expanded to include men's, women's and kids' skateboarding and lifestyle shoes, apparel, snowboards, snowboard boots, outerwear, and accessories.

As one of the cornerstones of its marketing strategy, DC has built a world-class team of professional skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross and rally athletes that exemplify and enhance DC's brand, develop its signature products, and support its promotional efforts. DC is a subsidiary of Quiksilver, Inc.

GYMKHANA TWO FRIDAY CONTEST SERIES: WEEK 1 GIVING AWAY A COMPLETE KEN BLOCK TEAMWORKS PACK!

Press Release from DC Shoes

With Ken Block’s Gymkhana TWO Project now out and the video getting an insane amount of hits at the Gymkhana TWO minisite (over 2 million hits so far), we’re celebrating by giving away lots of Gymkhana TWO related goods through the DC Web site. From Ken Block DC TeamWorks product packs and tires from the filming of Gym TWO to a trip to X Games 15 in L.A., tune in weekly for the next 6 weeks for the Gymkhana TWO Friday Contest Series!

The contest officially starts today, and we’re kicking it off by giving away a complete TeamWorks kit. Win, and you’ll get the Block TW hat, the Block Manteca 3, and the Block TW Windbreaker (reversible).

A winner will be chosen at random from those who enter at dcshoes.com/auto. Go here to drop your info… and good luck!

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