|
 |
| September 04, 2009 News |
| EKN Trackside: Rock Island Grand Prix - Preview |
| |
Labor Day weekend marks the 15th running of the Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, through the city that resides next to the Mississippi River as part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area. Competitors and teams are already making their way to the area, waiting for that 5pm signal Friday evening when the streets begin the 12-hour formation of motorsports festival - thanks to the countless volunteers. 15 categories broke down into 14 racing groups will contest the two-day event that is sure to be fast and exciting.
Back in June, the event looked as if it would be cancelled due to the low numbers at the time. When the Rock Island Grand Prix committee asked the karting community for its support, many stepped up to the plate to keep the event running with roughly 200 entries before at-track registration opens.
This year marks a change in the headline King of the Streets category. The class will feature the Spec Honda power plant per Superkarts! USA rules. The switch was made jointly by the RIGP and SKUSA in order to rejuvenate the class that has historically been one of the most coveted titles in karting. The Stock Moto class was introduced to the RIGP last year with 15 entries and this year’s King of the Streets grid as surpassed that. Leading the charge is two-time ‘King’ Kyle Wiegand. The driver to beat at the Rock since his first title in 2004, Wiegand will make the transition to the Stock Moto with plenty of testing in his arsenal this summer.
Wiegand fiercest competition will come from seven drivers that currently sit in the top-25 of the eKartingNews.com’s Stock Moto Driver Rankings. Top of that list is former Rotax Grand National champion Jordon Musser. The Texan sat on the pole position in last year’s Stock Moto class, finishing fourth in the feature. Inaugural class winner Derek Crockett will be back to defend his class win, along with return to the King of the Streets podium as he finished third last year. Matt Zeis will be a factor, running second to Crockett in ’08 and earning the class championship in the SKUSA regional program Central States Challenge.
Also high in rankings that will journey to the Rock include SKUSA SuperNationals S4 defending champions Chris Jennings, Great Lakes Pro Series champion Jason Lee, Texan Nick Lucido and Illinois’ Ryan O’Connell. A notable name to watch will be the return of Indianapolis native AJ Noud. The now owner of Rocky Mountain Kart Works in Colorado will make his first start at the Rock since 2004, where he finished fourth in the King of the Streets race.
More records should be set at this year’s event, especially with the return of All-Time Wins leader Gary Lawson. The Ohio native is set to contest the two Animal divisions along with the two Yamaha Sportsman categories, giving Lawson four chances to add to his 14 total victories. The largest class heading into the weekend is the TaG Senior division, sitting at 28 entries as of early Thursday. A lot of new names fill up the entry list with some familiar names, however, defending champion and first female Rock winner Michele Bumgarner’s name is still not list though sources say she will be an at track entry with Margay Racing. Also making history when he makes his first trip on the circuit will be Bowen, Illinois’ Todd Bolton. The 37-year old - entered in three classes on the weekend - will be making his 15th start as he comes into the event tied for third in the All-Time Wins list with eight, with his best chance at a win in the 2-Cycle Pipe category.
Junior racing will return to the Rock again this year, carrying two classes for the drivers under the age of 15. The Tom Argy Junior Sportsman category should see a first time winner with no returning winners while the TaG Junior division makes its Rock debut. Also new will be the IAME Leopard class and Rotax Senior/Masters group. The IAME class will see a number of racers from the TaG Senior class while the Rotax category will run at the same time with two different winners to be crown for the Senior and Masters classes. The group that always seems to put on a show every year is the Masters categories - with the 125 Shifters and the TaG divisions. Both will see a number of talented drivers from the Midwest along with some top names from around the country competing. Completing the look at the different divisions, the ICC and 125 Moto categories will combine into one group this year, following the SKUSA S1 class structure, which should be a great race.
eKartingNews.com will be Trackside all weekend, bringing complete coverage throughout the two-days. The Official Forum Discussion will have the top-10 in Qualifying on Saturday as the end the session along with the line-up following the checkered flag. Daily reports will bring you the insights as the happenings each day all with complete results and photos in the Official Event Page. More coverage possibilities is in the works so keep watching the forum for more information. |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
