Ken Block’s racing ace daughter Lia, 16, pays heartbreaking tribute to her ‘happy, caring selfless’ Top Gear star dad
KEN Block's heartbroken daughter paid tribute to her "happy, caring and selfless" dad today after he died in a snowmobile crash.
Lia Block, 16, said "no words can describe of how much of an amazing human my dad was" after the rally car driving champ and former Top Gear star died at the age of 55.
In a heartbreaking post, Lia said: "I didn't just lose my father, I lost my best friend and the only person I ever looked up to.
"He was truly my whole world and the only person I ever looked up too."
The young racing star shared a black and white photograph of her and her beloved dad alongside the touching tribute.
She said she couldn't "believe how fast he was taken from all of us".
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"No words can describe of how much of an amazing human my dad was, he lived so many lives, accomplished more in 55 years than most people could in 10 lifetimes, and lived his life to the absolute fullest every single day," she wrote.
"He always did what he loved no matter what, right up to the last second, and always was there for me and my siblings and my mom whenever we did what we loved.
"He never missed an opportunity to help us grow as good people, he always told me that he wanted us to be even more amazing, caring, happy, selfless, humans than him and my mom."
The 16-year-old said she "can only hope to do half as many amazing things he did".
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"I grew up, knowing in the back of my head, that I wanted to be just like dad," she wrote.
"He was one of the most amazing people in the world, not to mention the best dad I could have ever asked for.
"I will strive every single day to make you proud."
Just hours before the horror accident, Block had boasted about his daughter Lia's racing achievements to his own Instagram followers.
Lia previously competed on her dad's Hoonigan Racing team.
In his final Instagram post, Block said: "The 4th and final episode of my 16-year-old daughter Lia buying, tearing down, rebuilding and now driving her ‘85 Audi Ur Quattro will be live at 8am PST tomorrow on my YouTube channel.
"Will her newly-refinished vintage Audi finally do a donut?? Or will this old car break in the attempt? Tune in to find out!"
The accident took place on Block's ranch in northern Utah.
Wasatch County Sheriff's Office said he was riding on a steep slope when the snowmobile flipped over and landed on top of him.
The action sports star was at his ranch sharing pictures of the snow-covered state on Instagram early on Monday morning.
Block's team Hoonigan Racing Division shared the news of his death on Tuesday saying "he will be incredibly missed".
"Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband," the team said.
He was a world-respected rally and stunt driver.
And he reached whole new legion of fans thanks to his antics on social media and Top Gear.
Top Gear reboot host Matt LeBlanc posted a touching tribute on Instagram.
"So saddened by the loss of Ken Block. A true talent and friend taken far too soon," he wrote.
"You will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting you my friend."
Alex Renton, executive producer of Top Gear, told The Sun Online: "Ken was a trailblazer in the automotive industry.
"We had the pleasure to work with Ken on several occasions over the years and his contributions were always so memorable and exciting for our audience.
"We were honoured to have had the chance to work with him and learn from him."
One of his recent Instagram posts shows a few snowmobiles blanketed in snow.
He had been performing stunts on a snowmobile last week in Idaho - and even then admitted its power had taken him by surprise.
"Lots of power up at high elevations, and wheelies all day! Epic early season powder, and an amazing first day. Wheelies, deep pow turns, and a lot of learning on this new sled – good times," he wrote.
And he had been snowmobiling in Utah as he kept fans up to date on Instagram.
On Monday, hours before his death, he wrote: "It’s been DUMPING snow in Park City, Utah this week with more forecasted for the weekend, and we wouldn’t be able to make it out to the ranch without the @SkiDoo sleds and @KubotaUSA machinery to clear the way!
"Can’t wait to see how much more powder stacks up over the next few days."
Block became one of the most famous Rally car drivers in the world after he started competing in 2005.
He landed Rookie of the Year in his first season in the Rally America Championship.
The rally car star made many overall wins and podium appearances.
Block also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and other action sports.
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He was known to British fans after appearing in several episodes of Top Gear.