Codemasters has announced that it will be releasing an off-road sequel to Colin McRae: Dirt despite McRae dying tragically in a helicopter accident last year.

“Colin McRae was all about the speed, the excitement and the entertainment of rally driving. Later his showmanship shone through in events such as the X-games, the Dakar Rally and the Race of Champions,” said the game’s executive producer Gavin Raeburn.

“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 motorsport. It will be a great tribute to an incredible champion.”

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 will be released on the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP and PC in 2009. For more information head over to IGN for an interview with Gavin Raeburn.

We thoroughly enjoyed our romp in the dirt in the first game. Read our review of Colin McRae: Dirt for more about our impressions of this off-road racer.