Tributes throughout the motorsport world to Ken Block have are available in many types. The World Rally Championship and Nitro Rallycross have each retired his #43 from use, with the previous doing so for the 2023 season whereas the latter’s is everlasting, whereas shut pal Travis Pastrana is competing on this weekend’s Nitro RX spherical in a particular snow-camo livery.
Ford, who supplied rally vehicles for Block and his Hoonigan Racing Division from 2010 to 2020, will even honour the late racing icon all through the 2023 calendar 12 months as all affiliated vehicles will sport a particular tribute decal.
As a part of his decade-long partnership with Ford, Block raced autos just like the Ford Fiesta and Focus in rallycross and WRC. A number of Fords had been utilized in his acclaimed Gymkhana video collection together with a modified Mustang nicknamed the “Hoonicorn” and the “Hoonitruck” F-150.
“Ken, all of our race groups throughout all collection are gonna carry you alongside for one remaining journey to begin the season. We miss you,” reads an announcement from Ford Efficiency.
Block switched to Audi in 2021, with whom he was affiliated till his dying in early January in a snowmobile accident. Two days later, Workforce Audi Sport positioned a “Racing for Ken #43” sticker alongside the A-pillar of their Dakar Rally vehicles.
Ford’s tribute stickers is presently making its début on the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1s of Pierre-Louis Loubet and Ott Tänak as they compete within the WRC-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo. The IMSA Mustangs, racing within the VP Racing SportsCar Problem at Daytona with Billy Griffin and Jim Farley, additionally featured the decal. Griffin went on to win the Saturday race within the GSX class, whereas Farley is the CEO of the Ford Motor Firm.
The corporate’s vehicles in different championships will even apply the sticker as soon as their seasons start. Ford fields Mustangs within the IMSA Michelin Pilot Problem plus the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Collection, together with the F-150 within the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection. It is usually concerned within the Supercars Championship, Method D, and Ultra4.
“With Ken’s passing, we’ve misplaced a real legend and our expensive pal,” stated the corporate. “We’re honoured to have labored carefully with Ken as he entertained essentially the most religious lovers whereas additionally inspiring a wholly new era of automotive followers. Our hearts exit to his household.”