Rock Island, Illinois — Registration is now open for the 27th running of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s most prestigious karting street race, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4.
Register here: https://nkaforms.formstack.com/forms/rigp_pre_entry_2022
Racers registering between now and August 1 will become eligible for a built-to-race Briggs & Stratton 206 engine, provided by the National Karting Alliance and Schurr Power Racing – a $1,200 value.
This year, a lineup of classes for Briggs & Stratton, Ignite, 100cc, Yamaha Can, shifter and vintage karts is being offered. King of the Streets open shifter and King of The Rock for Briggs 206 and 100cc races will compete for $1,000 to win, paying back 5 places, and the coveted Rock trophy. To enter these races a driver must also enter a corresponding non-King class. Rules will be posted at racerockisland.info.
New this year is a previously announced new team competition where drivers from the same track can collect team points even if they are racing in different classes. There are no additional entry fees and few rules, just the chance to win glory and bragging rights as the 2022 Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Track Team of The Year. To be eligible, drivers must list their track on the registration form. The winning team will receive a large banner to display at their home track or club.
“Last year, in the wake of Covid, it was a challenge just to hold the race. This year we are expecting the event to return to its previous glory,” said Roger Ruthhart, president of the Grant Prix organization. “The city has promised street improvements, outdoor evening entertainment is back, downtown bars, restaurants and shops are staffed and open, and we have a full lineup of food and beer vendors in place.
“Rock Island has always been a crossroads where everyone from top national drivers to club racers challenging themselves at one big national event, come together for an exciting and entertaining weekend while racing in front of thousands of spectators with full race coverage live-streamed by eKartingnews.com featuring one of the best announcing teams in the country,” said Ruthhart. “It’s not a race in the middle of nowhere. It’s very much like a Formula 1 or IndyCar race on a smaller scale. We have Bally’s Quad-Cities casino, the beautiful Mississippi Riverfront and boat docks, great dining options and the pounding beat of great live entertainment until the early hours of the morning.
“There are kid’s activities, a Car Show, and the chance for fans to play street hockey with the professional Quad City Storm hockey team. For the many spectators that come to town, it’s a fun-filled day for all ages with free admission.”
This year’s Opening Ceremonies will find driver and sponsor introductions accompanied by members of the Black Hawk Scottish Bagpipe and Drums corps. The mayor and a ranking officer from the Rock Island Arsenal military base will offer their traditional welcoming remarks.
“Rock Island is a truly unique experience that doesn’t happen anywhere else in karting. We invite everyone to sign up now and bring their family, friends and sponsors with them to experience this one-of-a-kind event,” said Ruthhart. “Maybe you’ll even take home a piece of The Rock.” A room block has been set up at the Holiday Inn in Rock Island, just a one-block walk from the pits,
The Grand Prix is the biggest weekend event of the year in Rock Island. Rock Island is located in an area known as the Quad-Cities, straddling the Mississippi River equally divided between Illinois and Iowa, with a metropolitan population of 400,000. It is home to the Rock Island Arsenal military base and corporate headquarters for John Deere in Moline, Ill. It is served by the Quad-City International Airport and is at the intersection of Interstate highways 80, 74, 88 and 280.
Sponsors for the event include: Mediacom, Briggs & Stratton Racing, Bally’s Quad-Cities Casino & Hotel, Hoosier Kartsport/ Margay Racing, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Gett Industries, Modern Woodmen Financial/ Joe Schurr agent, Miller/Coors, RLV Tuned Exhaust, CBS TV4 / Fox 18 and CW, the local iHeart radio stations: Q106, Fox Sports QC, WOC and WLLR, Schurr Power Racing Engines, Sunbelt Rentals, Johannes Bus Service, Holiday Inn Rock Island, eKartingNews.com, Courtesy Car City, Gas & Electric Credit Union, Rogan Scale, Triple E Sales, Brenny’s Motorcycle Center, Hakuna Matata Charters, Transmission Plus, Downtown Rock Island, Hiland Toyota, Duncalf Karting and Duncalf Chiropractic Center, Quad City Camaro Club and Harden Motorsports.
For more information on the race, please visit racerockisland.info