Why Americans ignore the sport Ken Block considers the greatest kind of racing

In the mid-1980s, Group B rally cars electrified spectators like nothing on earth before or since. Tearing through forests, massive turbo shrieking with 600 hp, the drivers were like gods and the cars their mystical chariots. Inevitably it was a frenzy that needed taming, but at that time, rally threatened Formula One as the largest form of motorsport on the planet.

And like F1, Americans didn't care.

There was one guy that did, however—Ken Block. America's favorite shoe salesman deems rallying the purest form of racing on the planet: "I love it," he told Yahoo Autos. Here's why you should too.

Back in 1985 the U.S. were salivating over Joe Montana and Larry Bird, and from a racing perspective, Rick Mears and Mario Andretti; the rally champions Walter Röhl, Timo Salonen and Hannu Mikkola were total unknowns. Even as the sport aged and Colin McRae hit the gravel in his iconic 555 Subaru Impreza, and more recently with Sebastien Loeb’s domination, the sport never garnered any substantial following stateside.

When I talked to Block about his passion for rallying and why Americans never embraced the sport, he’s quick to point out one thing: “People may label me as a stunt driver or whatever, but I’m a stage rally guy,” he says. “That’s where my heart’s at.”

Ever since Block received the keys to his first car, going around in circles or on designated racetracks or drag strips never sparked his interest—it was twisting gravel roads that did that. After being instrumental in building the DC Shoe brand, Block had some disposable income to pursue his off-road passion, and quickly became very good at it.

Today, stage rallying in the U.S. has a devoted, cult-like following for events such as the Rally in the 100-Acre Wood in Missouri. However it’s a small crowd, albeit one that’s increasing, in part due to Block's growing stardom.

That attention didn’t arrive via stage rallying, though; rather it was his wild Gymkhana “stunt” videos that became a viral success. The emergence of Global Rallycross contributed, too (think motocross in rally cars), bringing legions of new, young fans through the gates. The stadium setting, made-for-TV action and marketing appeal for automakers of street-similar vehicles gave GRC real growth, becoming one of the most popular sports within the X-Games franchise, with all races broadcast live on ESPN.