Rock Island news 2010-06-17

Quad-Cities Area McDonald's Restaurants to sponsor Superkarts! USA's King of the Streets race at Rock Island Grand Prix

ROCK ISLAND, IL. - Superkarts! USA and the Rock Island Grand Prix have announced that the 2010 King of the Streets race will be sponsored by McDonald's Restaurants. The race will again feature the popular 125cc stock moto power package.

The headline race at this year's Rock Island Grand Prix, Sept. 4-5, will feature many of the top shifter kart drivers in North America. Presenting Sponsor of the Rock Island Grand Prix is AT&T. The race will be run under Superkarts! USA S1 rules.

"We are looking forward to a long and mutually-beneficial partnership between our race and the Quad-Cities area McDonald's Restaurants," said Roger Ruthhart, president of the Rock Island Grand Prix. "Having these 42 restaurants located throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois join us in promoting the event will provide great exposure in the Midwest for Superkarts! USA and the Rock Island Grand Prix. At the same time, we will provide exposure for some of their popular products and hope to drive race teams and many of our fans into their restaurants."

This year's winner will receive a $2,000 check, a special KartRaiser Electric Kart Stand (transport/trailer hitch model with tray valued at approximately $890) supplied by Michael Polizzi and Full Bore Karting LLC and the coveted "Rock" trophy. Ronald McDonald will perform the traditional placing of the cape and crown on the winning driver and will also participate in the opening ceremonies and driver's parade.

"The Quad-Cities McDonald's restaurants are happy to be associated with a national caliber race that so many people from the Quad-Cities and surrounding areas attend and enjoy," said Mark Luna on behalf of the participating ownership groups. "It's going to be an exciting year with increased numbers of drivers and enhancement of the festivities. We are excited to be a part of it all. There are race fans located in all of the communities served by McDonalds, so we are proud to be able to join in supporting such a popular event. And Ronald McDonald is really looking forward to being there!"

The spec tires for the King of the Streets race are MG. Spec fuel will be provided by VP Fuel and will be on sale direct to competitors on site. Neither is included in the entry fee. SKUSA S1 rules will be used and all King of the Streets competitors must be active SKUSA members. The Rock Island Grand Prix is always the Saturday and Sunday of the U.S. Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-5, 2010.

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 Grand Prix and become one of the most coveted titles in kart racing. The reigning King is Jordon Musser from Texas. 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) and Alex Speed (2008).

Musser, now co-owner and driver of Momentum Racing Group, said he has put together a new Birel kart and plans to defend his King's crown. He is currently driving a Chevy Camero in the Grand Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport class.

Ruthhart said he is happy to see the proud tradition of King of Streets continue.

"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.

The overall $25,000 RIGP purse is sponsored by Jumer's Casino & Hotel. Other major sponsors include the Franklinkart.com Kart Expo International presented by National Kart News and The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus newspapers.

The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race, draws entries from throughout the United States and Canada, competing for one of karting's largest purses. It has also hosted racers from Italy, France, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, Argentina, Bermuda, the Philippines and Mexico. It includes 15 feature races in 4-cycle, 2-cycle, TAG and shifter classes. Rock Island Grand Prix races are also covered live worldwide on the internet by Ekartingnews.com - the official online media sponsor.

-source: www.rockislandgrandprix.com.