Gymkhana Five launches on July 9th - Full details here..

I gleaned a few hints about Gymkhana Five, when I interviewed Ken Block for our feature – ‘The Accidental Hero’, last December. Block, you’ll remember, is Chief Brand Officer of DC Shoes and the insanely talented driver in each of the four previous Gymkhana videos.

As he explained to us at the time, “..The first video (Gymkhana One) was a bit of a fluke, it was not really intended to be that successful – it was just for fun – but since then it’s been a very calculated and deliberate marketing exercise.”

So, what’s Block got cooking for us in Gymkhana Five? Here’s the announcement made on the official DS Shoes website this afternoon.

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UPDATE: DC & Ken Block are proud to announce that Gymkhana FIVE is dropping on Monday, July 9th! Shot on the iconic streets of San Francisco, CA this video is going to be epic!

Filmed on the streets of San Francisco, California, Gymkhana FIVE builds on the previous successes of the Gymkhana viral video series and it’s 140+ million views.

“My idea for Gymkhana FIVE was simple,” said Block. “I wanted to build on the ultimate playground concept from Gymkhana THREE, and bring the franchise back to that raw and fast feel that the earlier videos had. I’ve always wanted to film a Gymkhana video in a city and there are few places as unique and iconic with such amazing topography as San Francisco. While movies like Bullit and various chase scenes have tried to use San Francisco to the fullest, I’m pretty confident that I’ve proven there was a lot left to be done on those amazing streets!”

Without question, the streets of San Francisco make Gymkhana FIVE the most unique project to date in the franchise’s history. And for good measure, a few world records and a surprise guest have been thrown in too.

Making a return for the second year in a row is Block’s Ford Fiesta H.F.H.V. racecar, which can be seen slaying its tyres on the streets of San Francisco globally on the July 9th release date.

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Block was out filming in San Francisco, during April, initially supporting the launch of Ford’s new Focus ST, and then last month was hooning around its undulating (closed-off) streets creating something of a riot as his H.F.H.V Fiesta popped and banged through its wastegate – to the delight of the appreciative onlookers.

With much of the filming complete, we now await the finished article, in the meantime take a look at these short videos taken by some of Block’s opportune fans, plus his pre-season films teasing Gymkhana Five. We’re stoked with anticipation, are you?

	12 May 2012 – The Shooting of Ken Block’s Gymkhana 5 in San Francisco.
	12 May 2012 – Ken Block, Gymkhana V, Ford Fiesta, Financial District of San Francisco.
	9 May 2012 – Ken Block jumping the intersection of Taylor & Vallejo Streets, San Francisco.
	9 May 2012 – Ken Block filming on Taylor Street, San Francisco.
	Ken Block spoofs himself with the help of actor/comedian Nick Swardson in his 2012 race season preview.
	Ken Block’s 2012 program of events, including Gymkhana Five announcement.

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