Codemasters have today announced Colin McRae: DiRT 2 the sequel to 2007's popular racing title is due in 2009 on PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, DS and PSP. The series continues despite the tragic loss of Colin himself in a helicopter crash in September 2007.

"Colin McRae was all about the speed, the excitement and the entertainment of rally driving. Even when we first worked with him over ten years ago, he captured a freedom and a spirit that enthralled rally fans." said Gavin Raeburn, senior executive producer at Codemasters Studios. "Later his showmanship shone through in events such as the X-games, the Dakar Rally and the Race of Champions. He could do things with a car that no one else would and that’s where we’re taking the series with new events at the extreme edge of rally and autosport. It will be a great tribute to an incredible champion."

"Rally has attracted new stars and a new style that makes it more vibrant and exciting than ever before; it’s right up there as a premium extreme sport, attracting fresh crowds and a new confident attitude," said Raeburn.

"Colin McRae: DiRT 2 mirrors this new, exciting direction and, in a way, we’ll be throwing off some of the shackles and constraints that real-world rallying has to abide by. We’re pitching players against the most spectacular and dangerous environments in the real world."