Ken Block to appear at Dakar Rally driving Extreme E E-SUV
10 January, Saudi Arabia: Off-road racing supremo and YouTube superstar Ken Block will sample an electric racing car at the 2020 Dakar Rally, driving the Extreme E E-SUV. He will join the future alternative category together with E-bikes, E-trucks and hybrid cars to open the Grand Prix of Qiddiya, attached to the last stage of the rally, on Friday 17 January.
Block’s appearance comes after Extreme E’s Odyssey 21 was invited to appear in the 2020 Dakar Rally’s 20 kilometre finale, the Grand Prix de Qiddiya, in support of the event’s commitment to alternative energy vehicle participation in future editions. This special stage completes the gruelling twelve day, 7000+ kilometre event which tests man and machine to the limits across harsh desert terrains.
The American – whose viral Gymkhana video series has topped 550 million views – is a household name in the world of motorsport, having competed across the full spectrum of off-road disciplines including the FIA World Rally Championship, FIA World Rallycross and Rally America.
Ken Block said: “Dakar is always something I’ve been interested in experiencing so this is a great opportunity for me to come and see what makes the race so special. I appreciate the guys at Extreme E inviting me out.”
The run will provide critical data ahead of next year’s Extreme E season-opener in January 2021, with the championship’s ‘electric beast’, following its appearance at the curtain-raising shakedown last week in the hands of World RX driver and four-time Freeskiing World Champion, Guerlain Chicherit.
David Castera, Dakar Rally Director, added: “We encourage the participation of hybrid and electric vehicles in future events, with an objective of introducing a specific class for them.
“Extreme E’s presence here, along with world-class drivers Guerlain Chicherit and Ken Block, convinces us that we are heading in the right direction with this project, and inspires us to go even further and faster in our implementation of alternative energy vehicles in future Dakar Rally events.”
With almost one year to go to Extreme E’s inaugural series, starting end of January, 2021, the time spent in Saudi Arabia offers the ideal opportunity for research and development as Spark Racing Technology continues its testing on the car.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, says: “With a huge amount of off-road experience under his belt, Ken is an ideal driver to steer our machinery through the toughest terrain at one of world’s most iconic motorsport events.
“The Dakar Rally’s demonstration stage of Qiddiya will allow us to showcase the ability of electric vehicles at this legendary rally event, and will also make history as the the first competitive outing for our electric beast.
“This will be a unique opportunity for the Spark team to gather crucial data to learn even more about the E-SUV here in Saudi Arabia, one of our five race locations in Extreme E, Season 1, and I can’t think of a better driver to push it to its limit than ‘Hoonigan’ himself, Ken Block!”
The Odyssey 21’s peak 400kw (550hp) output is capable of firing the 1650 kilogram, 2.3-metre wide car from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, at gradients of up to 130 percent.
About Extreme E:
Extreme E is a radical new racing series, which will see electric SUVs competing in extreme environments around the world which have already been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues. The five-race global voyage highlights the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles to help preserve the environment and protect the planet.
Another unique feature of Extreme E is its floating garage, the RMS St. Helena. The former Royal Mail cargo-passenger vessel is undergoing a modernisation and refit in order to lower its emissions. It will be used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, to the nearest port, minimising Extreme E’s footprint as well as being used to facilitate scientific research through an on-board laboratory.
Extreme E is operated in association with Formula E – the organiser of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Extreme E is committed to sustainability and minimising environmental impact – as well as playing its part in re-building and restoring areas already impacted by climate change.
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Sources: Julia Fry, Extreme E PR