Ken Block, multi medal-winning Subaru Rally Team USA driver, X Games competitor and stunt driving sensation, will headline Trax 2009 [www.traxshows.co.uk], running Sunday 6th September at Silverstone, with his ‘DiRT 2 Ken Block Jump Jam’ and perform a spectacular 100ft in-car jump to mark the forthcoming launch of Colin McRae: DiRT 2, the sequel to the hit racing videogame.
What’s more, visitors to Trax 2009 will have the chance to win a seat as Ken Block’s co-driver by proving their digital off-road driving skills in a special Colin McRae: DiRT 2 ‘Last Man Standing’ multiplayer challenge, to be held in the DiRT 2 Pit Stop Area. The 'Last Man Standing' race-off will be won by the first across the line after an 8-player race.
For the game’s best players, the prize is a ride along with Ken Block on a specially created extreme driving route around Silverstone’s off track areas. The lucky few winners will be well advised to wear two sets of underwear as Block pulls 360s, handbrake turns and donuts before finishing with his trademark adrenaline-inducing 100ft jump over a dirt kicker. A limited number of places are reserved for media interested in running a competition for their readers in the run-up to the Trax event.
Ken Block, who currently holds the world record for jumping 171ft in a rally car and has given his expertise to design some of the tracks in the game, commented: “It’s all about the physics, so I know it can be done! 100ft is nothing – we do it at the X Games all the time – and I can’t wait to give some lucky thrillseekers the same feeling of riding the air in a roaring rally car.”
X Games team-mate of the late Colin McRae, Block is at the forefront of a new breed of pro drivers, competing as Subaru Rally Team USA Driver #43 in the Rally America National Championship and the world-famous X Games. He has also gained notoriety for his mind-blowing stunts in his Subaru WRX STI.
“I’ve been involved with Codemasters and Colin McRae: DiRT 2 for quite a while and serve as a consultant for the game in addition to featuring in it,” said Block. “It’s been a real pleasure and an honour to be part of the production team – Colin McRae was a huge inspiration to me personally. Actually driving my own car in the game, I was amazed at how dynamic the setup is and how much it performs like the real thing. I hope that Colin McRae: DiRT 2 similarly inspires the thousands of kids who dream of being the fastest, greatest, rally driver out there.”
Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is set to take racing games to a new level with thrilling new race types, striking locations, big event atmosphere and a peerless line-up of super-charged speed machines, each selected to deliver spectacular, fast paced racing. Taking players on an exhilarating World Tour, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will deliver over 100 stunning events, including aggressive, multi-vehicle races and intense solo challenges, set in the most diverse and demanding real-world environments. From the muddy tracks of the Malaysian rainforest to spectator-packed stadiums in London and Los Angeles, racers will compete in contemporary off-road race disciplines covering Rallycross, Trailblazer, Raid, Landrush, and Rally.
Complete with full head-to-head competitive online play, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will be available from leading game stores from September 11th for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.
Media are also invited to experience the thrill of riding alongside Block at a special media event on Friday 4th September - please get in touch using the contact details below.