The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-instigated award was presented to Block for the determination shown to finish his first World Rally Championship (WRC) event outside of Superally, despite a host of technical problems that plagued the Monster World Rally Team throughout the three-day event, as well as his contribution to the development and spread of rallying's popularity around the globe.

“This season has been such a huge learning experience, but we are getting quicker and I am glad to have achieved a 12^th place finish here in France and to get recognised by this award,” said Block, who founded the cult shoe company DC.

Since joining the WRC in January 2010, Block and his team have introduced a fresh audience to rally action through their extensive use of digital media and social networking.

The team has produced the ‘Gymkhana’ series of driving videos hosted on youtube.com.

First released in 2008, the vodcasts show Block demonstrating the skill involved in rally driving as he takes his Focus through numerous unexpected obstacles at global locations. The latest edition, ‘Ultimate Playground’, filmed in the l’Autodrome, France, was viewed 12 million times in only three weeks. The campaign is also supported via networking sites Facebook and Twitter, where Block has over 600,000 followers.

Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally is presented at each round of the WRC to mark an outstanding feat of leadership, integrity, respect or teamwork.