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From: Jimbo June 01, 2009 |
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Ken Block has returned with a second Gymkhana film featuring a new car, next level creative direction, cameos from Rob Dyrdek and Jason Ellis, and enough product placement to make infomercial stars, Sham Wow Vince and Billy Mays proud.
During last week's press event/world premiere, Ken showed off his skills behind the wheel of an all-new Subaru STi that, in his words, "drives like the world's most suped up golf cart."
Also suped up is DC's new line of rallywear dubbed the TeamWorks Collection. The line, inspired by Ken's new Gymkhana TWO car, includes two pairs of shoes, a reversible windbreaker, T-shirt, sweatshirt and hat. With a goal of featuring the TeamWorks Collection, Ken, in his opening speech at the premiere, admitted the purpose of the film: simply put it's "the world's best infomercial."
If that's the case, the pitch is a good one. The film is a choreographed display of tight-turn maneuvering inherent in Gymkhana, but Ken and the DC crew take it a step further. Incorporating high level production and a splash of entertaining explosions, the seven minute short film takes us on a ride through the Port of Los Angeles Pier like a Hollywood car chase, but instead of outrunning the bad guys, Ken artfully runs over rows of fluorescent lights mid turn, knocks paint balloons out of the hand of a willing Jason Ellis, and escapes a Fantasy Factory-worthy paint ball barrage by the likes of Rob D.
Gymkhana TWO is a sensory feast that every driver can relate to, culminating with Mr. Block, ahem, driving away from an explosion (you'll have to watch). Big, beautiful and badass, this flick brings out the go-kart racer in all of us.
With that, check out the pics from the premiere, BNQT.com's exclusive interview, the build of the Ken's custom Subaru STI, and, of course, Gymkhana TWO.
Gymkhana TWO: The Infomercial
BNQT.com Interview with Ken Block
Subaru STI Build

It's all about the smoke...every five laps, the tires need to be changed.

Ken and Rob Dyrdek take the car for a spin.

Subaru rally photog, Lars Gange

Port of LA - This is where DC unloads all the sneakers that get shipped over from China.

Monster girls.

Monster girls are good for more than just looking pretty and pouring energy drink.

Bill from Crawford Performance, keeps Ken's STi humming.

Renee Renee on wearing a jumpsuit.

Ken introduces the film and warns that it's basically "the world's best infomercial."

DC Snowboarding team riders, Aaron Bittner and Ikka Backstrom

TeamWorks Collection - shoes.

TeamWorks Collection - windbreaker.

The film stars - Ken Block, Jason Ellis (w/daughter) and Rob Dyrdek.

DC TeamWorks Collection. Screen grab of Gymkhana TWO

Light bulb turn. Screen grab of Gymkhana TWO

Driving away from an explosion. Screen grab of Gymkhana TWO

Rob Dyrdek, paintball warrior. Screen grab of Gymkhana TWO
For more visit www.dcshoes.com/gymkhanatwo
Words/photos: James Sullivan
BNQT Video: Ice / Edit: Kyle Kimberling
I want the black white and green dc's