DiRT 3 to Feature Ken Block Gymkhana
Gran Turismo 5 may be the most anticipated racing simulator on the horizon, but when it comes to rally, DiRT takes the crown. The series, formerly named after the late, great rally driver Colin McRae has always played second string to games like Gran Turismo and Forza because it was only about Rally driving. Well, Codemasters is going to be taking DiRT to the next level next year by putting the gymkhana phenomenon in the hands of gamers.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few years you’ve undoubtedly seen DC shoes CEO turned pro rally car driver Ken Block’s gymkhana videos.
Gymkhana is defined as:
A type of motorsport practiced in Canada, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and South Africa. Similar to autocross, gymkhana courses are often very complex and memorizing the course is a significant part of achieving a fast time.
Gymkhana events are time and/or speed events in an automobile. These can feature obstacles such as cones, tires, and barrels. The driver must maneuver through a predetermined “track” performing many different driving techniques. What separates gymkhana from traditional autocross events is that the gymkhana requires drivers to perform reversals, 180 degree spins, 360 degree spins, parking boxes, figure 8s and other advanced skills. Drifting is also encouraged where helpful or necessary. Essentially, a gymkhana is any event featuring a starting point, a finish line and some sort of “obstacle” to get through, around, or by, all within a time limit.
These videos show Block taking on insane self-made courses in his insane rally cars, and have taken the world by storm while bringing gymkhana to the masses. Check out his latest video:
Now imagine doing THAT on your Xbox 360 or PS3.
Here’s what Codemasters had to say about it:
Gymkhana, the 15 million-plus YouTube phenomenon pioneered by Ken Block now powerslides into DiRT 3, allowing gamers to test their car control to the very limit as they drift, spin-dry and jump their way to stardom in all new Gymkhana events. Set in specially created arenas packed with props, players can practice their skills, chain together moves, complete challenges or hang out online with friends in this spectacular videogame first.
DiRT 3 will also have the split-screen two player action that we know many of you have asked for, as well as numerous party modes!
But, how will it look, you ask? Check out these screens and the developer diary which we posted just yesterday:
So, while everyone else may be excited about Gran Turismo, I’ll be busy waiting for DiRT 3 when it drops Q2 2011.
