Gymkhana FIVE
The Gymkhana series is an award winning, record-breaking viral video franchise from the DC Shoes YouTube channel. Not only this but it launched Monster World Rally Team driver, Kenny from the Block, to worldwide fame overnight.
The fifth installment was released on 9 July, with Ken and his 650 horse power Ford Focus RS ripping up the tarmac in what I believe to be the best video yet. To say it has been a YouTube sensation would be an understatement, reaching over 3 million hits by the time I got round to watching it on the evening of 9 July – I know right, how slow am I?
Filmed on the actual streets of San Francisco, California, Gymkhana FIVE builds on the ultimate playground concept of Gymkhana THREE, with a focus on fast-paced, raw action and Block’s driving skills, all while utilizing the topography of a real-life urban playground.
Chosen for its unique physical terrain and its ability to be easily recognized on a global level, San Francisco served as the perfect location for Gymkhana FIVE. The city by the bay known for its iconic bridges, steep windy streets, and distinct neighborhoods—as well as a famous chase scene in the movie Bullit—provided an ideal gymkhana playground that increased the difficulty level of not just the tricks, but driving lines as well. And, for the first time ever, all of Block’s driving was done on real streets.
“San Francisco was absolutely amazing for Gymkhana,” said Block. “It’s such a unique location for this kind of driving and allowed me to do some things that I never thought I’d ever be able to incorporate into one of my Gymkhana videos—like jumping a table top or doing a jump drift! I’m stoked with how this project turned out and I’m truly a lucky bastard to have been able to do the things I was able to do on the streets of San Francisco. To all of the residents and people who allowed us to make this happen, thank you!”
If you haven’t seen it yet, where have you been exactly? Anyways…catch it below:
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Extracts from Monster World Rally Team release on 9 July 2012