Nitro RX’s First Global Season to Culminate This Weekend With Los Angeles Triple Header.
With Nitro Rallycross (Nitro RX) set to kick off its 2022/23 season finale with the first of three finals in as many days, series organizers have unveiled the Ken Block Championship Trophy. Going forward, this will be presented to the series driver champion of Nitro RX’s top class, Group E.
Lucy Block, Ken’s wife and an accomplished rally driver, said: “It is amazing that Nitro has honored Ken with the Nitro RX championship trophy. Ken not only loved competing in rallycross, but he was a huge supporter of the sport. He was friends with many of the drivers in the paddock and would have loved to have seen them battle in the finale this weekend.”
Travis Pastrana, a long-time friend of and collaborator with Ken, said: “Ken was an amazing friend, and it was a privilege to know his family. His impact on rallycross – on motorsports, overall – cannot be overstated. In addition to his incredible driving, he ran races and gave opportunities to so many people, including myself, to progress and achieve our dreams. He was instrumental in building rally and Nitro Rallycross in America. His Gymkhana series put an exclamation mark on the fun and excitement that was possible behind the wheel. This award recognizes his contribution to the sport and celebrates his legacy.”
The trophy, created by Cold Hard Art in Indianapolis, is made of polished stainless steel and alloy. The base features panels etched with track maps from each series stop, as well as #KB43VER. Dynamic accents incorporate Nitro RX’s trademark Diode Blue with touches of Americana Blue drawn from its Nitro Circus roots.
In January, Nitro RX permanently retired Ken’s iconic 43 from the series. Having made the number his own over nearly two decades, no other driver – other than a member of the Block family – will race in Nitro RX with 43 going forward. A founding Nitro RX driver, Ken was the first to answer Travis’ call five years ago and he joined Nitro RX for its 2018 debut. Ken was also on hand alongside Travis at the press conference to announce the inaugural event.
The Ken Block Championship Trophy will be awarded for the first time this Sunday at the completion of Nitro RX’s 2022/23 season. After seven rounds spanning Europe, Canada and the US, the Group E title will come down to the last weekend at Los Angeles’ iconic Glen Helen Raceway. DRR / JC’s Robin Larsson (SWE) has built a strong lead, winning two finals and reaching the podium six times. But his teammate Andreas Bakkerud (NOR) sits within striking distance in second place, with DRR’s Fraser McConnell (JAM) and OMSE’s Oliver Eriksson (SWE) also very much in the hunt in third and fourth. Pastrana, driving for Vermont SportsCar, rounds out the series contenders. But he comes into the final weekend in fifth place and will need to turn it up significantly if he wants to top the podium.
