Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident on Jan. 2 earlier this year, a tragic loss to his wife and three kids, and to the motorsports community. “My biggest accomplishments have always been being a mother to my kids and a strong, supportive wife,” said Lucy Block. “Being given the opportunity to drive to the summit for Ken at Pikes Peak is an honor. He gave so much to the action sports community. Driving Pikes Peak International Hill Climb gives us a way to carry Ken’s spirit forward and do something he was excited to do himself. We are eager to be able to use this opportunity to create awareness around 43 Institute, and celebrate my husband’s love for motorsports and innovation,” Block added.
In 2022, Ken Block made a record attempt at Pikes Peak but was foiled by engine failure in his pink Porsche 911 “Hoonipigasus,” which is the same car his 16-year-old daughter, Lia, will now be driving in her untimed run this year. Lucy Block will be competing in the Unlimited Class for the first time in a Sierra Echo EV chassis powered by a Hypercraft electric powertrain.
Sierra Cars offers race-proven high-performance recreational and race chassis and vehicles, and Hypercraft is an emerging powertrain manufacturing startup supplying powertrain components. A joint venture between the two resulted in the Echo, a single-seat, rally-inspired, all-electric racer perfect for ice, asphalt, sand—and, obviously, Pikes Peak.
“We are so honored to take part in this year’s PPIHC with the Block family. Shortly after Ken’s passing, I was speaking with Lucy and realized how important it was to her that she remains in motorsports with her family. Getting Lucy involved at Pikes Peak seemed like the place where we could make the most positive impact,” said Sierra Cars Founder and professional racer Cole Powelson. “Standing on the summit of Pikes Peak on race day is one of the greatest pleasures I’ve ever known. To be able to share that with Lucy and Lia is the thing I’m looking forward to most this year.”
“Ken has been a big inspiration to many of us at Hypercraft, for decades,” said Hypercraft Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer Jonathon Miller. “The opportunity to work with Lucy, and to be the EV powertrain provider for the Sierra Echo that will take her up this legendary mountain, is a huge honor, to say the least. We’re excited to see the Block family inspire the next generation of performance culture, just like their dad did.”
The Echo sports a 18.6-kWh battery pack powering a drive system good for 300 horsepower and 368 ft-lb of torque at a max of 12,000 rpm, with a top speed of 120 mph and a weight of 1,350 pounds. Seven “Block Edition” Echo models will be sold with the same features and graphics as Lucy Block’s Pikes Peak racer, and will be hand-signed by members of the Block family. The companies and family are hoping to raise $43,000, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the 43 Institute’s mission.
Powelson explained, “EVs are very well-suited for Pikes Peak, because they don’t suffer a loss in power due to altitude, like gas-powered vehicles. Fans of Pikes Peak will be excited to learn the same model of car Lucy is racing is the same car we’re offering for purchase. This is a historical first for Pikes Peak racers, fans and car manufacturers competing in the race.” The “race to the clouds” starts on Sunday, June 25 at 7:30 a.m.
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