$4000 1st Place For Rock Island GP

press release

The winner of this year’s King of the Streets race will take home a check for $4,000 and a free entry for the 2008 SuperNationals, Superkarts! USA and the Rock Island Grand Prix have announced.

The free entry into the SuperNationals this November in Las Vegas, Nevada, is valued at almost $400.

The remainder of the payout for King of the Streets will be $650 for second, $500 for third, $150 fourth, $125 fifth, $100 sixth, $75 seventh, $50 eighth and $45 for ninth. Spec tires are MG FZs; spec fuel is VP and will be on sale direct to competitors on site and not included in the entry fee. SKUSA 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, August 30-31, 2008.

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 Alan Rudolph, who has won the crown five times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2006 & 2007). It has also been won by Scott Speed (2002), Bobby Wilson (2003) and Kyle Wiegand (2004 & 2005). The King of the Streets race is sponsored by the Bob Bondurant SuperKart School in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tom Kutscher, CEO of Superkarts! USA says, “Since purchasing SKUSA a few years ago, I’ve been bombarded from all karting circles with a message that stands out: ‘Please continue to support the King of the Streets program, as Roger’s tireless efforts have made the race and the RIGP the backbone of the Midwest karting scene.’  I couldn’t agree more. I’ve raced it more than once, and it’s a terrific weekend. The atmosphere is truly a slice of Americana, and that makes Roger’s event the ideal pillar for continuing to position our sport globally as well. Thanks to MG Tires for their support, too.”

Roger Ruthhart, president of the Rock Island Grand Prix, said he is happy to see the King of Streets tradition continue. “This event has proven to be the ultimate challenge for the top gearbox drivers in the sport. There’s 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. “There are various types of pavement. Trees and buildings shade some portions of the track while the sun bakes others. Street striping, auto oils and manhole covers can have an impact; all of this while thousands of screaming fans lining the course get the adrenaline pumping at levels few kart racers are used to.

“Ask the drivers who have won the crown and they will tell you there is no experience in American karting quite like receiving the King’s crown and robe in front of thousands of appreciative race fans. Now there is an even bigger check, and incentive, to go with it,” Ruthhart said.

Presenting Sponsors of the Rock Island Grand Prix are AT&T and Mazda Motorsports. The $35,000 RIGP purse is sponsored by Jumer’s Casino Rock Island. Other major sponsors include Kart Expo International presented by Sodi Kart, The Dispatch, Rock Island Argus, Leader newspapers and Mediacom.

The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, draws 400 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 and Mexico. It includes 14 feature pro races in 4-cycle, 2-cycle and shifter classes. Rock Island Grand Prix races are also broadcast live worldwide via the internet by monksmedia.com. It is always held the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend.

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