The Rock Island Grand Prix
1724 Fourth Avenue, Suite 200, Rock Island, Illinois USA


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information
Email: grandprix@qconline.com
Call (309) 292--8133


1) SKUSA’s King of the Streets (MG) and Stars of Karting ICC & ICA (Bridgestone) require the use of spec tires as outlined in our Supplemental
Rules. A number of competitors, when filling out the data for the chassis/motor/tires being used by the competitor, have specified tires OTHER than the spec tires that are required for the class they are entering. Tires are NOT part of the registration fee at Rock Island and while we have a number of vendors present, we cannot guarantee that tires will be available at the
track. Please be sure that you have made arrangements to have the proper tires – including the designated compounds for TAG tires.

2) In response to several technical questions, the Rock Island Grand Prix organization and its officials have decided to continue its past policy and race by the rules as published. Please don't expect us to make rules adjustments because this is generally the response you will get. With regards to 125cc Moto class, we will race under 2005 SKUSA S1 rules as published. Full rules can be found online at www.superkartsusa.com. This is consistent with what was done in 2004 and it is our belief that the burden is on the competitors to know and apply the rules. We will, however, call your attention to the fact that 2005 SKUSA rules have added a minimum compression chamber volume limit of 10.5cc. Top 5 finishers will be impounded, may be torn down and this is among the technical items that may be checked, as per our published rules.

3) Similarly, our Supplemental Rules specify that TAG USA / TAG International rules and weights in affect on August 1 will be applied at the Rock Island Grand Prix. We do not intend to deviate from this statement either. TAG USA rules can be found at www.tagracing.net. We believe that overall it is in the racers’ best interest to have a stable rules structure.

4) We are excited to be able to report that this year’s Rock Island Grand Prix races will be broadcast live via the internet by Indianapolis-based Monk’s Media at www.monksmedia.com . If you can’t make the race, now you can tune in and follow the exploits of your favorite racers. So can your friends and fans around the world.

5) For those who have not yet made hotel reservations, there is another option. A Howard Johnson’s hotel has opened at the foot of Government Bridge in Davenport, Iowa. We have not, however, negotiated any rates with this hotel.

6) We are excited to announce that this year race fans coming to “The Rock” will be immersed in the larger-scale, open-wheel Indy Car racing experience. Spectators will be able to see an IRL car up close in spectator areas adjacent to the track. Also in town for the Rock Island Grand Prix will be the IndyCar Series Fan Experience Properties. The IndyCar Fan Experience is a trio of semi tractor-trailers with built-in IRL simulators. The IndyCar Series Pole Position is a high-performance mobile racing simulator that uses real IndyCar Series cars and allows fans to drive their favorite driver’s car around their favorite tracks. The IndyCar Series Tech Trailer offers a wide variety of sponsor displays that bring the excitement and intricacy of the pits and garage to the fans while educating them in a fun and interactive manner. It includes a cutaway of a car, an up-close look at the Safer track barrier system, a racing uniform, the Official Pace vehicle, War Wagon with IndyCar Series videogame stations, Firestone tire display, and more. The IndyCar Series Pit Stop gives race fans a hands-on experience at servicing a real IndyCar Series race car. They can race against others and the clock to change 2 tires, try their hand at refueling, or enjoy many other equipment displays and an explanation of the flag stand. It’s just another good reason to bring your friends with you to this year’s races!! Our thanks to everyone at Stars of Karting, the IRL, and Chicagoland Raceway, which will host an IRL race the weekend after us, for helping to get these units to Rock Island.

7) We are also happy to be able to continue to present an exciting lineup of night-time entertainment. Friday night’s outdoor plaza concert will feature The Brat Pack. Saturday and Sunday nights will feature the return of the always-popular The Travoltas – a show you won’t want to miss. Also again this year, the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus will be at our civic center, The Mark of the Quad-Cities in Moline, with multiple shows during the week leading up to the Grand Prix as well as race weekend. The Saturday night of race weekend, John O’Donnell Stadium in Davenport, Iowa, will host country act Lone Star in concert. As always, there is plenty to do when you aren’t racing, not to mention the Casino Rock Island and many other great attractions in downtown Rock Island.

8) Again this year the Rock Island Grand Prix is part of a bigger week of racing called Quad-Cities Speed Week. To find out more about action at other local racing venues, please visit www.qcspeedweek.com .

9) As of this writing, we have 328 entries for this year’s race. This is up significantly over a year ago and caps will be strictly enforced. If you have not entered please do so soon so that you are not left out due to the caps on the classes. So far only TAG Senior has reached its cap but a number of drivers have been added off the waiting list due to drops by competitors who entered earlier.

10) The cc rule noted in the first email applies to Motos in both 125 Moto and 125 Masters.

11) We have had an unusual number of problems with credit cards this year. Before entering with a credit card, either online or by mail, please make sure that you have given us the number correctly, that the expiration date is accurate and hasn't expired, and that the name on the Credit Card is the same as that listed under the credit card information on the entry form (i.e. John Racer may not work if the name on the card is Richard John Racer). For those of you who have been contacted regarding problems with your cards, but have not responded, please do so promptly to avoid problems or embarrassment at registration.

12) Finally, just a reminder that according to our printed policy, entry withdrawals made prior to August 1 will generally receive a full refund. After August 1, because withdrawals can affect whether other racers can or cannot get into a class, withdrawals will generally NOT BE GIVEN. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis AFTER the event by our race organization.

Race safe. See you soon.
 

Roger Ruthhart