2003 Rock Island Grand Prix

ICA Class Report from Kartweb

Qualifying Results

With excitement around the ICA class coming to America, a much larger entry count was anticipated.  For those who participated in the ICA class this year will have an advantage as 2004 is expected to add the RIGP to the CIK International tour calendar.

Chris Wehrheim from Norcross GA set the pole with a lap time that could have put him in the top ten with the 125cc Masters shifter class.  Johnny Amba came out from California to try out the RIGP, and almost didn't make it after having his car stolen earlier in the week.  Sean Israel, a fellow Georgian competitor of Chris's, and Brian McHattie from Ohio completed the qualifying order.

 

Pos. No. Name Best Lap In Lap 2nd Best Remarks:
1 16 Chris Wehrheim 00:34.436 7 00:34.463  
2 29 Johnny Amba 00:34.830 4 00:34.957  
3 13 Sean Israel 00:35.784 7 00:35.906  
4 93 Brian McHattie 00:36.215 8 00:36.235  

 

 

Race Results

These hyper powered 32 HP 100cc direct drive machines rev to over 18,000 RPM providing a sound unlike any other class on the track.  With weights at 308 Lbs, they are almost the highest power-to-weight ratio of all classes running and have the fastest turn speeds of all classes.

Driving an ICA in the dry is one thing, but in the wet they forgive no mistakes.  As a direct drive, spinning is not an option, spin it and you're done right there.  With the amount of power and as lightweight as they are, the rear brake only layout narrows the "edge" to a razor sharp point. 

The planned 30 lap race was shortened to 20 laps.  Johnny Amba took an early retirement leaving the 3 car field to take all the dough.  Sean pulled into the lead with Chris trailing sometimes as far as 3 seconds back, but never had the right opportunity to pass.  It appeared as though Chris had the faster kart and had a few exciting moments where a pass was set up, just not quite with enough speed to make it stick.  Brian was trailing about a second off putting on a good show by sliding through the turns, sometimes with full opposite lock, just not quite taking the fast line through.  Wet racing takes every bit of traction possible and very little tire slip is the fastest way around.

  • Roger Ruthhart presents "The Rock" to Sean Israel 

  • 2003  ICA Winner
 

Roger Ruthhart praised the ICA class as part of the future for the Rock Island Grand Prix.  Although a few European teams had spoken of coming, none did.  Italsistem did send a factory representitive Albert Martorell who stated that he was very impressed with the Rock Island event, and will be back next year.

 

Pos. No. Name Laps Total Diff. Time Best Lap In Lap Chassis/Motor/Tires
1 13 Sean Israel 20 16:06.0   44.257 16  Italcorse/Italsistem/Bridgestone
2 16 Chris Wehrheim 20 16:07.1 1.08 44.250 16  Margay/PCR/Vega
3 93 Brian McHattie 20 16:33.9 27.919 45.301 13  Margay/Italsistem/Bridgestone
4 29 Johny Amba 2 02:43.2 -- 18 laps -- 47.301 2  Gillard/Vortex/Vega

Chassis/Motor/Tire per Team data provided to Kartweb