Ken Block heading Down Under

Block, who makes his living from outrageous skids, slides, jumps, burnouts and wheelies, believes he is a positive role model because he is taking wild driving off the streets.

Block is famous around the world thanks to his series of Motorkhana videos which have become a youtube phenomenon and is headed for Australia later this year, where he will demonstrate his talent at Calder Park in Melbourne on September 3.

"I do not ever do anything on the regular streets. I never tell kids to practice in a parking lot or on the public road. Anyone who does what I do should always take the right precautions."

Block made millions of dollars as the co-founder of the DC Shoes company in American, then turned to rallying before cranking out his viral videos. He is now up to the third in the Gymkhana series, driving a Monster Ford Fiesta with more than 500 kiloWatts in a series of special stunts that are filmed and uploaded to the internet.

He's also driving in the World Rally Championship in a Fiesta and will compete in Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour straight after his appearance at Calder Park. "I'm a professional at what I do. I want to inspire kids to be rally drivers or drifters or whatever like to be," Block says.

Block's car cost more than $300,000 and is reserved for his Monster stunt shows and the videos. It's being flown to Australia for his one- off event at Calder, which will include all the energy drink company's other motorsport representatives in Australia led by two-time V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup.

"It's actually quite amazing to drive. It's an amazing amount of power. With four-wheel drive it's incredibly agile," Block says. "I'm a lucky bastard that I drive amazing cars like that. This one is built just for the stuff I do." Final details of the event are still being finalised, including plans for a very limited number of passenger rides with Block.

"One of the great things about the Gymkhana World Tour down in Australia is that it's free to the public, so everyone can come. I hope everybody that wants to see it can make it out because it's going to be amazing," he says.