Lia Block Drives Hoonitruck at Willow Springs, Honoring Ken Block

The legacy of the late Ken Block came alive on October 11, 2025, at the Willow Springs Reimagined event held at the historic Willow Springs International Raceway in California. A highlight of the gathering was when Lia Block, the 19-year-old daughter of Ken Block, took the wheel of her father’s iconic Hoonitruck, marking its first public appearance since Ken’s passing in 2023.

The Hoonitruck, a reimagined 1977 Ford F-150, showcases an impressive 914 horsepower generated from a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, originally from Ford’s GT Le Mans program. This powerful vehicle features all-wheel drive, a custom sequential gearbox, and hand-formed aluminum bodywork. It initially debuted in Gymkhana TEN and later gained fame after conquering Tianmen Mountain in Climbkhana TWO, amassing over 75 million views across various platforms.

Preserving a Legacy

The Hoonitruck’s return to the track was facilitated by its current owner, Milton Verret, an entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. Verret, who was named Philanthropist of the Year in 2016, has long admired Ken Block’s creativity and purchased the Hoonitruck with a vision of preserving its legacy. He expressed his sentiments saying, “It’s an honor to see this truck back where it belongs—on track, with Lia behind the wheel. Ken’s creativity and passion inspired millions, and this moment is a celebration of that enduring legacy.”

Lia Block is following in her father’s footsteps, quickly making a name for herself in motorsport. She began her drifting journey at just 14 years old and made history by winning the 2023 American Rally Association O2WD Championship at the age of 17, becoming the youngest champion in the series. She is also a winner of the Baja 1000 and has competed in events such as Extreme E and Nitrocross. Currently, she is part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy competing in F1 Academy.

A Personal Connection

Lia’s recent achievements include a commanding victory in Singapore and a second-place finish at Zandvoort. In 2025, she made a successful return to rallying, winning the L4WD class at the Boone Forest Rally. Reflecting on her experience driving the Hoonitruck, Lia shared, “This means a lot to me and my family. Being able to drive the Hoonitruck means much more than just upholding a legacy. I have no doubt that my father would want to keep the spirit of this car alive for all that it stands for in the motorsport community.”

The Willow Springs Reimagined event not only celebrated the return of the Hoonitruck but also marked the dawn of a new era for the storied track under new ownership. The event honored the innovation, heritage, and individuals who continue to push the boundaries of speed and storytelling in motorsport.

For more details, visit the original press release here.