Ken Block Wrestles F-150 Up China’s Legendary Tianmen Mountain
China’s most dangerous mountain road meets the scorching tires of the mighty 914 horsepower Hoonitruck.
Ken Block‘s “Gymkhana” series had been notably absent from YouTube as of late. We all know he’s had a new build, the Hoonitruck, but the most recent tenth installment was made nearly a year ago. To be fair, he has been at SEMA, as well as Goodwood. But the Gymkhana series is back, of all places, in China. Finally filling our appetite for slick drifting is “Climbkhana 2,” showcasing the twin turbo V6 Ford F-150 destroying a set of tires. Tianmen Mountain, which literally translates to “Heavens Gate Mountain” gives a hint that this won’t be a relaxing Sunday drive.
Located about 300 miles inland from Shanghai, Tianmen Mountan offers Block’s biggest and most dangerous challenge yet. Huge drop-offs and imposing concrete blocks pose the most danger. Block’s prowess behind the wheel of his 1977 F-150 Hoonitruck makes a spectacle of the climb to the temple at the top of the mountain. All-wheel-drive and huge power outputs keep this Ford’s tires spinning up nearly the entire length of the mountain pass.
Cinematography from the Hoonigan crew is always amazing, and this video is no exception. Cameras that can film in 360 degrees follow all of Block’s hand and footwork. Carefully placed cameras show Block’s incredible ability to push the limits of grip and the limits of the roads. Switchbacks and hairpins are shown through incredible drone footage, too. But for us, our favorite camera view is the one placed on the hood, pointing back towards the big exposed turbos of the twin turbo EcoBoost V6 engine. Articulation and movement of the wheels are also shown through cameras placed inside the wheel wells. Of course, there’s a full compliment of fascinating slow-motion footage, too.
Hoonigan’s videos always contain a little bit of light hearted fun. Keep watching the video past the credits and a recurring character makes another appearance. Without spoiling the end, we could even get a new video featuring that special ride. It might even show the down-hill run which would really justify Tianmen Mountain’s name.
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