LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Block House Racing driver Lia Block has been added to the driver lineup for the Nitrocross season opener.
Nitrocross will visit MidAmerica Outdoors in Jay, Okla., this Friday and Saturday as part of Visions Off-Road.
Block headlines the NEXT roster — Nitrocross’ developmental class. For Block, this marks another advance in her career. The 16-year-old, daughter of the late motorsports and action sports legend Ken Block, made a major statement at the Oregon Trail rally last month, winning in her class and finishing just off the overall podium in fourth place.
She currently sits in first place in the national championship for the ARA open class two-wheel drive.
Block is also a perfect three-for-three to date in ARA racing this season.
Her skill set translates to other disciplines as well. Block has thrived in karting, where she has competed for three years, and she has competed in the Lucas Oil Off-Road series. Block raced both side-by-sides and Sierra cars in Nitrocross’ predecessor, Nitro Rallycross.
She is now progressing with her NEXT entry, which represents a jump in performance thanks to the 350hp all-wheel drive vehicles (similar to those used in Lites). Olsbergs MSE will run Block’s car.
“I’m so excited to compete in Nitrocross this season. I’ve gotten a taste of the intense, door-to-door action that Travis and Nitro Circus have cooked up, especially racing side-by-sides last year,” Block said. “Now, I look forward to the challenge of stepping things up and battling in the NEXT class against other talent from around the world.
“This is a true dream come true, after watching my dad race rallycross from such a young age.”
Block’s competition in Oklahoma includes Sweden’s Casper Jansson, driving for OMSE, who finished second in last year’s NEXT World Championship after winning the NEXT North American title.
A trio of drivers will represent BAK40 Motorsports, led by Jimmy Henderson (USA), who showed his consistency by making the podium at each North American round in 2022-23. Lane Vacala (USA) and Eric Gordon (USA) round out the BAK roster and NEXT field.