ROCK ISLAND, IL. – The Extreme Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom will host the 20th running of the exciting King of the Streets shifter kart race sponsored by LeCont Tires.
King of the Streets is one of the most coveted titles that can be won in North American karting and is always one of the headline races at the Xtreme Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom. This year’s race is August 31 and September 1.
The King of the Streets race will run open tire brands and compounds. Weights will be Stock Honda at 380 lbs.; Rok shifter and tuned Honda at 390 lbs.; KZ at 400 lbs.; and 175cc SSE at 410 lbs. Spec fuel will be Sunoco 110, VP 110 and VP C-12 and will not be sold at the track.
A stellar field has already signed up with a week left until the race. Californian Billy Musgrave and Jake French from Texas, who finished 1-2 at the final race of the Superkarts! USA Pro Series, will try to keep Rory Van der Steur from Maryland from repeating as King of the Streets. Scott "Skitchy" Barnes from Bermuda, a multi-time winner at Rock Island who has never been King, is also expected in the field again. Josh Lane from Illinois, who was crowned King in 20l5, is back as is Texan Austin Wilkins, who won the crown in 2017 and holds the track’s fast lap record.
King of the Streets was originally created as an event that would circulate among various temporary venues. The 1998 event at the Oklahoma City Grand Prix was won by Joe Janowski. In 1999, Alan Rudolph won at Quincy in the Park. From that point, the race has had a permanent home at the Rock Island. The reigning King is Rory Van der Steur from Maryland. Texan Austin Wilkins won in 2017 and Remo Ruscitti from British Columbia, Canada won in 2016. Josh Lane won in 2015 and Connor Iseli from Texas won in 2014.
Jordon Musser from Texas won four times in 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2013. Alan Rudolph has won the crown five times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2006 & 2007). It has also been won by Scott Speed (2002), Bobby Wilson (2003), Kyle Wiegand (2004 & 2005), Alex Speed (2008), Derek Crockett (2011).
Joe Janowski, the first King 20 years ago, will be on hand to crown this year’s King of the Streets on Sunday.
King of the Streets competitors will also have the opportunity to run in a second Open Shifter class at the same weights as King of the Streets. There will also be a 125cc Master Shifter class for drivers over age 35 with Stock Honda weight at 395 pounds, Rok shifter and tuned Honda at 405 pounds, KZ at 415 lb. and 175 SSE 425 pounds. The 80cc Shifter class will no longer be on the schedule.
Roger Ruthhart, president of the Xtreme Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom, said he is happy to see the proud tradition of King of Streets continue into its 20th year with support from LeCont Tires.
“This event has changed over time, but has always provided a challenge for the top gearbox drivers in the sport. There is no advance practice. Just show up, learn the course and race. At first look, the course does not appear technically difficult, but the street course challenges drivers in ways they are not used to,” he said.
In addition to a cash purse, which is dependent on the number of entries in the class, and the coveted Rock trophy, a number of contingency prizes have been announced.
*Rok Cup USA will provide first place a full entry and engine rental for Rok To Rio later this year. Second place wins full paid ticket, no engine. Third place finisher in King of the Streets will win an engine rental for Rok To Rio.
*HGM- TB Kart Indy is giving a can of c12 fuel to both the hard charger and fastest lap winners
*Croc Promotion is giving a $500 chassis gift card toward a Mad Croc chassis to the most wrecked kart of the race.
*Hakuna Matada Fishing Charter in Bermuda is giving the highest finisher above age 30 a charter fishing trip from Scott “Skitchy” Barnes. Travel is not included.
*P1 Promotions is giving first place winner a free entry in the 2020 Lockhart Grand Prix and $100 registration credit for second place and $50 registration credit for third.
* Fisher Racing Engines is awarding a $200 certificate toward the next rebuild on the highest finishing Stock Moto.
*LeCont Tires will give one set of tires to each of the top three drivers in King of the Streets if they are on LeCont tires.
* MG Tires is giving $500 to the winner if they are on four MGs and a set of tires to second and third place if they are on MGs.
* Hoosier Racing Tire will pay a $500 contingency if the winner is on all four Hoosier tires. If the winner is not on Hoosiers, $200 will be paid to the highest finisher using Hoosier Tires.
* The Lane family will kick in an additional $500 in prize money to be split between first, second and third place if entries hit 30 in King of the Streets.
The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, draws entries from throughout the United States competing for one of karting’s largest purses. It has also hosted racers from Canada, Italy, France, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, Argentina, Poland, Bermuda, the Philippines, Ireland and Mexico. It includes 17 feature races in 4-cycle, 2-cycle, TAG, shifter and Vintage classes. Races are also covered live worldwide on the Internet by Ekartingnews.com.
Sponsors for this year’s event include: Mediacom, Jumer’s Casino & Hotel, Hoosier Tires, LeCont Tires, Gett Industries, Briggs & Stratton Racing, Modern Woodmen Financial/ Joe Schurr agent, CBS TV4 / Fox 18 and CW, Schurr Power Racing Engines, RLV Tuned Exhaust, Sunbelt Rentals, AMT Ambulance, Johannes Bus Service, The Dispatch-Rock Island Argus-QC Online.com, Holiday Inn Rock Island, eKartingnews.com, Courtesy Car City, Gas & Electric Credit Union, Rogan Scale, Triple E Sales, Curry’s Transportation, Miller Trucking and Excavating, Brenny’s Motorcycle Center, Hiland Toyota, QC Gearheads, RIGP Corner Workers, Becky Rasmussen, Quad City Camaro Club, HMG-TB Kart Indy, City of Rock Island/Ald. Dylan Parker and the local radio stations Q106, Fox Sports QC, WOC and WLLR.