Lucy Block, wife of the late Ken Block and herself a professional rally driver registered with the American Rally Association, will be racing at the 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in honor of her husband. Lucy will join her daughter Lia, who will pilot the Hoonipigasus that Ken built for last year's Hill Climb, and will race a Sierra Cars Echo EV - in brand new Block Edition livery - up the mountain on June 25 in the top-spec Unlimited class.
Unlike the Hoonipigasus, which is based on the Porsche 911, the Sierra Echo EV is a purpose-built off-roader with a tube-frame chassis, a single seat, and long-travel suspension that will make it perfect for soaking up bumps as it races to the clouds. And it's electric.
Weighing just 1,350 lbs, the race buggy features three 6.2 kWh battery packs for a combined energy store of 18.6 kWh. Its electric motors generate 300 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque and can rev up to 12,000 rpm, propelling the Echo EV to 120 mph with the help of a Sadev gear reduction transmission and high-performance RCV axles.
At each corner, Wilwood four-piston brake calipers and vented rotors help with stopping, while the hydraulic handbrake will help initiate slides and tight turns on Lucy's way up the mountain.
The suspension is the coolest element, however, as it features adjustable wheel travel of between 10 and 12 inches, with a dual-wishbone front setup and Zbroz two-way adjustable shocks at each corner.
There's a carbon fiber rear wing wearing the Hoonigan logo on top and the Block House Racing logo underneath, and the livery has been specially designed to celebrate Ken, even bearing his number 43 on the front in the form of the Forty Three Institute's logo, although Lucy's racing number displayed on the side is 430.
Speaking of the entry, Lucy says, "My biggest accomplishments have always been being a mother to my kids and a strong, supportive wife. 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."
Had it not been for his untimely passing as the result of a snowmobile accident in January, Ken would definitely have been at Pikes Peak.
"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."
The Block Edition Echo EV will also be available as a limited-run production vehicle, with only seven made in the same spec as the car Lucy will compete in. Each car will bear the signatures of the Block family, and $43,000 raised from the sale of the seven cars will be donated to the Forty Three Institute (43i), with the aim of empowering aspiring racers without the resources to achieve their dreams.