125cc Masters Get Reprieve at Rock Island Grand Prix

press release

In response to pleas from drivers, the Rock Island Grand Prix organizing committee has announced that it will suspend the planned implementation of a TAG Heavy class at this year’s event in favor of retaining the 125cc Masters gearbox class.

“This is a highly unusual action on our part,” said Roger Ruthhart, president of the Rock Island Grand Prix. “We have seen the 125cc Masters class in decline both at our event and nationally. The Rock Island Grand Prix is one of the few national events where the class is still featured. We were approached by some racers who asked us to reconsider plans to drop the class.

“These are people who, in some cases, have been long-time supporters of our event and of kart racing in general, so we agreed to discuss available options and have come up with a plan that we hope everyone can live with. It has always been our goal to provide an event at which as many racers as possible can compete and this action is taken in that spirit and again shows that we try to be as competitor-friendly as possible.”

The plan approved by the race committee provides:

• Competitors in the 125cc Masters gearbox class have until June 1, 2008 to have registered at least 22 competitors. The class allows drivers over age 35 to compete in both moto and ICC powered gearbox karts run at differing weights. If that threshold is reached, the race program will move forward as announced. If it is not reached, 125cc Masters will be dropped and TAG Heavy will be reinstated.
• No refunds will be given in this class after June 1 unless the class is dropped.
• No “ghost riders” will be counted. This is about putting a competitive class on the street for spectators, not just about paid entries.

The Rock Island Grand Prix plans to begin registration in late February or early March – several months earlier than previous years – giving competitors ample time to sign up before the June 1 deadline. If adequate support doesn’t surface, 3 months will remain to register drivers in TAG Heavy.

“It is our hope that we will be able to be a premier event for the 125cc Masters drivers for many years into the future. But from a business perspective, we cannot offer classes with declining participation,” said Ruthhart. “This offers these competitors a fair opportunity to rebuild and retain the class. But if the support is not there, we will go ahead with plans to add the TAG Heavy class.”

Home