Ken Block Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A trophy will be awarded at the end of this weekend's International Rally of Whangarei in memory of American driver Ken Block.
Block, who regularly raced in New Zealand, was killed in a snowmobile accident in January.
Block contested multiple New Zealand Rally Championship events. Of his three visits to Whangārei he won the national category title in 2015. His last appearance was in 2019.
In preparation for the 2023 event organisers then approached the Block family. Ken's wife Lucy responded with a simple statement: "He would for sure approve.
"He LOVED NZ rally and they were by far his favourite roads. He (also) always carried a greenstone necklace at every rally since it was presented to him in New Zealand."
The bespoke trophy will incorporate greenstone into the design, given the value Block attached to his piece of pounamu.
Organisers have also reserved 43 on the entry list - the competition number used by Block.
Event Chairman, Steve Foster said "It's hard to even consider a memorial trophy for someone who meant as much to us as Ken did. We always expected he would return, and we intend to keep that memory with the presentation of this trophy.
"We're grateful to Lucy and the family for granting permission to present this trophy. It'll be a tough moment, and I can guarantee a lot of wet eyes. Ken meant a lot to us".
The perpetual trophy will be awarded on Sunday 14 May at the ceremonial finish of the rally.
The rally covers 720km of the Northland region, using 18 special stages of closed road.
There are 48 teams entered, the event counting toward the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, New Zealand Rally Championship as well as others contesting the Allcomers category.