News

Organizers of the Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, have announced significant changes to the class lineup at this year’s event, Sept. 5-6, 2009. Presenting sponsors of the event are AT&T and Mazda. Other major sponsors include Kart Expo International and Jumer’s Casino & Hotel, Rock Island.

This year’s ninth running of the Superkarts! USA King of the Streets race will feature the Spec Honda power plant and follow SKUSA rules. Touch and Go (TAG) class offerings have also been expanded and there will be no junior class in 2009.

“The decision to switch to stock moto (also termed Spec Honda) was made jointly by the Rock Island Grand Prix and Superkarts! USA. We believe that the change will rejuvenate the King of the Streets event which has historically been one of the most coveted titles in karting,” said Roger Ruthhart, president of the Rock Island Grand Prix. “We will still offer a venue to race ICC and tuned motos, which have been the engines that powered the King of the Streets race in the past. But we believe at this point in time that the new Spec Honda format will provide bigger fields with closer and more exciting racing for the thousands of spectators that come to the Rock Island Grand Prix.”

King of the Streets will run at a weight of 395 pounds in an effort to attract both lighter and heavier drivers to the race, Ruthhart said. If registrations exceed 40 entries, the class could be divided and weights adjusted. This year’s winner will receive a $2,000 check, entries to the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals and the Florida Winter Tour January 2010 opening round, and a special Kart Raiser Electric Kart (transportation model with tray valued at approximately $850) supplied by Michael Polizzi and Full Bore Karting LLC, as well as the coveted “Rock” trophy. The race is sponsored by Bob Bondurant Superkart School, Phoenix, Arizona.

New additions this year include the introduction of Rotax and Rotax Masters running under the Rotax Max Challenge rules. Current plans call for the classes to run together but be scored separately and with a divided purse based on entries. However, good support from Rotax competitors could result in splitting the two classes.

“We are excited about the addition of the Rotax. We hope this quickly becomes one of the premier one-off Rotax events in the world. The Rock Island Grand Prix was one of the early supporters of the Rotax program and we are excited to be a part of the 10th anniversary celebration in 2009,” said Ruthhart. “The early September timing of our race offers a great alternative for those who can’t commit to the time or cost necessary to compete in the Rotax Max U. S. Challenge Finals.”

Intercontinental C and tuned motos will run together in one class under Superkarts! USA S1 rules. This is another class that could be split if early registrations warrant it.

“Philosophically, we would rather not see these classes combined. But the economic realities dictate that we cannot pay out our generous purse to small fields, so we have decided to combine classes where feasible,” said Ruthhart. “At the same time, we are giving competitors a chance to demonstrate their support. If registrations warrant, and financial considerations allow, we will consider changes later in the year.”

Also new this year will be a Parilla Leopard class run under TAG USA rules. New and old versions of the Leopard motor will be legal, both in this class and TAG Senior and TAG Masters. Other classes returning include two 4-cycle Animal classes, two 2-cycle Sportsman classes, TAG Senior and Masters, 125 Masters, and Yamaha/HPV Pipe Heavy (with some weight adjustments for 2009).

The decision to drop the junior class from the Rock Island Grand Prix lineup was based on red-flag accidents in that race the past three years. “After two consecutive years of red flags, this class was under careful scrutiny in 2008. What happened? We had two wrecks and another red flag on the first lap,” said Ruthhart. “We do not want Juniors injured at our race. The decision will be revisited in 2010.”

The addition of Rotax- and Leopard-only classes reflects the growing popularity and availability of those European-made motors. At Rock Island, the Rotax Max series’ Mojo tire will also be allowed as an option in the TAG classes, making it easier for drivers to compete in both. The Leopard-only class will also run TAG USA approved tires and compounds, making those classes compatible as well. Weight adjustments in the 2-Cycle Pipe Heavy class for 2009 find HPV-3 at 350 pounds, Yamahas running at 355 pounds and HPV-4 at 360 pounds. A rolling start will be used.

2009 RACE CLASSES

1. Spec Honda – King of Streets (SKUSA S3 rules at 395 lbs.)
2. ICC & tuned moto (SKUSA- S1 rules)
3. 125 Masters (SKUSA S1 Rules – ICC & tuned moto.)
4. Animal Medium – Rumble at the Rock
5. Animal Heavy
6. 2-cycle Sportsman Medium (4 hole can)
7. 2-cycle Sportsman Heavy (4 hole can)
8. Yamaha/HPV Pipe Heavy
9. TAG Senior (TAG USA rules)
10. TAG Masters (TAG USA rules)
11. Rotax Senior & Masters (Rotax Max Challenge rules)
12. Leopard Only (TAG USA rules)