Ken Block’s Gymkhana Grid Invades Hollywood Park
By Joey Leh, Photography by Duane Uyeda
With millions upon millions of views online, the gymkhana stunt videos from rally racer Ken Block have put the sport’s name on everybody’s mind. While it may have been the case that gymkhana was a mystery to American gearheads just a few years ago, it’s out of the shadows now.
Photo by Duane Uyeda
Although popular overseas, gymkhana is still a bit of a mystery here in the US. Ken Block’s latest endeavor, called Gymkhana Grid, is a competition series that seeks to legitimize gymkhana and bring in participation from the public. Contrary to what the web videos may have you believe, Gymkhana Grid is not a free-for-all stunt series where you will learn to drive under 18-wheelers and knock water balloons out of the hands of cast-off Old Navy mannequins.
The first-ever Gymkhana Grid event was held recently at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA. The casino and horse track’s expansive parking lot was temporarily filled with barriers and cones for the weekend, which was used as a qualifier and media demo for a larger event to come later this year.
Combining elements of autocross, drifting, and hardcore memorization, Gymkhana Grid runs two cars at a time through adjacent mirrored courses. Like autocross, the small gymkhana courses are relatively low speed, flat, open, and run on asphalt. This easily accessible format helps keep costs low and the events open to drivers who own real world cars.
Unlike autocross, however, gymkhana courses are not lined with cones. There is a set course layout and direction that must be run but drivers are left to figure out the fastest line around and not get lost. Adding to the mix is the addition of mandatory 360-degree donut and 180-degree spin areas, which bring an element of drift entertainment.
Photo by Duane Uyeda
Founded by Chris Willard, one of the co-founders of the Redline Time Attack series, and run with support from Ken Block, Gymkhana Grid is looking to become the next big craze in the enthusiast world.
Our first impression of the series, after watching a full day of runs, was timed drifting. Based on our experience with Japanese gymkhana events, we had anticipated a sport much closer to autocross but with some 360s and donuts thrown into the mix. But with an invitational blowout to take place at Irwindale Speedway in December 2010, Gymkhana Grid is first and foremost a spectator-friendly stadium sport. Much like drifting, it’s appeal comes from its entertainment factor and allure for grassroots drivers.
Competitors are encouraged to get the tail out as much as possible and give a good show around the numerous donut cones. Ken Block brought out his rallycross-inspired Ford Fiesta Gymkhana 3 racecar (complete with Olsberg support staff – Ed.) and showed how the course should be run. With the turbo spooling and the short-geared sequential paddling away, Block spun, smoked, and gunned the all-wheel drive Fiesta with noticeable pace.
Having helped design the course as well, Block had an advantage over the other drivers, which included autocross and drift veterans. Kyle Mohan brought out his purple Mazdatrix FC Mazda RX-7 with no changes since its last time attack event. The converted drift car showcased the crossover capability for drifters and with an AE86 Corolla, 240SX, and Nissan 350Z on hand as well, we expect many drift racers to compete in this series.
Photo by Duane Uyeda
Zenkai Motorsports also made the trip out from Las Vegas with their blue Subaru WRX STI and driver Thomas Smith. Despite not having an e-brake or drifting experience, Smith slid and powered the mighty Subie around the course with definite tail-out, smoky action. We can see Gymkhana Grid appealing to drivers with all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive machines that want to slide but are unable to run in conventional drifting events.
Gymkhana Grid is expecting to run Street, Tuner, and Pro classes, each divided up further based on drivetrain (FF, FR, MR, AWD) and engine displacement. This will help even out the competition and keep 20 year-old Nissans from tangling with 600hp Super Rally monsters.
But one of the great things about this series, as in drifting, is that the driving is tricky enough to help even out the talent. 500hp always helps in a race but we wouldn’t be surprised if a few goliaths fell this December.
Contact
Gymkhana Grid
www.gymkhanagrid.com
I want to drive like that. How much power does that fiesta make?
Awesome write up and great pics!
[...] over to the article that Octane Report posted on this… I’m only the photographer, haha! [...]
Sweet pics! I want to enter this year!