Just hours before the start of Nitro Rallycross Quebec the series would announce it has retired number 43 in honour of Ken Block.
Why This Was An Easy Decision
Just two days into 2023 the world of motorsports would lose an icon. As Ken Block would tragically pass away in a Snowmobile accident. Block was somebody who was a friend and mentor to many of the Nitro Rallycross drivers. Including the likes of Andreas Bakkerud and Travis Pastrana. With Nitro Rallycross being the brainchild of Ken’s longtime friend Travis Pastrana the decision to retire the number 43 was easy. Add that along with the fact that Ken was somebody who helped make Pastrana’s dream come true, and helped Pastrana announce the entire thing. Block would only race in Nitro Rallycross once. That came in 2019 when Block would compete alongside Hoonigan teammate Steve Arpin.
Honouring Ken In Quebec
Along with Nitro RX announcing the retirement of Block’s number 43. All Group E drivers this weekend will run some form of a sticker to honour Ken. Ken’s longtime friend Travis Pastrana took things one step further because it’s Travis Pastrana. Pastrana and Vermont Sportscar would honour Ken with a tribute livery on Pastrana’s FC1-X. The livery is based on the Snow Camo livery which Ken used on his first ever Rally car and the Subaru he would drive in the Gumball 3000.
Joining The WRC
Nitro Rallycross isn’t the first championship to retire Block’s number 43. As the World Rally Championship would retire it earlier this month. However, in the WRC’s case, it’s only retired for the 2023 season. Nitro RX has chosen to retire the number permanently unless a member of the Block family wishes to use the number. Nitro RX likely won’t be the last championship to retire the iconic number. As the American Rally Association is also expected to retire the number sometime soon.
My name is Joe Moore. I am a writer for Belly Up Hockey, Belly Up Racing, and Belly Up Sports. You can find me on Twitter.
