McConnell, Misir pay tribute to late motorsports legend Ken Block

JAMAICAN DRIVERS Fraser McConnell and Sara Misir are still trying to come to grips with the death of American rally driver Ken Block.

The two have expressed sadness at Block’s passing. The motorsports aficionado died following a snowmobile accident on Monday.

The 55-year-old Block, who made 24 appearances in the World Rally Championship, was most recently known as an online global figure and has appeared on programmes such as BBC’s Top Gear and was one of the main figures in the Colin McRae Dirt 2 video game.

Jamaica’s first-ever Rally cross champion, McConnell, says motorsports has lost a legend and he is saddened that one of the sport’s idols is gone.

“It’s always sad losing role models such as Ken. He was a true pioneer in the sport, and I had the pleasure of meeting him and his family a few times, so my love and condolences go out to his family in their time of need. He will be missed,” said McConnell.

Block was the winner of the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year award after just his first season. He would go on to win silver and two bronze at the X Games throughout his career.

The Caribbean’s first Formula Woman race car driver, Sara Misir, was also at a loss upon hearing the news of Block’s death.

“It’s always difficult to lose a huge idol, especially under the circumstances in which he passed away. Ken Block was an inspiration to me and to many. I send my condolences to his family for the loss of such a great inspiration and influence to the entire world of motorsports.”

The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) also joined McConnell and Misir in paying tribute to Block. Block, along with co-driver Alex Gelsomino, won the Sol Rally Barbados in 2020 in his Ford Fiesta Rally2. He was the first winner of the BRC’s premier event to come from the FIA R5 class.