Rock island Grand Prix 3 yrs opinion

[Jeff Salak]

[Andrew M. Coulter]

[Alex Nowysz]

It seems like the danger aspect of RIGP is made out to be so high compared to other kart races, but there's always a risk if you're racing people in karts. I would agree there are some risks that don't come with racing on a track in an open field, but I think it gets exaggerated a lot of the time. It shouldnt be a race to be feared or avoided. The tecpro barriers are great at absorbing impacts safely, the corner workers do a great job of getting the flags out (and pointing to where karts are before you come into the corners), and also of getting crashed karts off the track quickly. RIGP is a great race and is very rewarding to a driver. If karting is the "purest form of motorsport", then RIGP has got to be one of the "purest" races. The combination of the bumpy surface, the need to carry your speed close to the barriers, and the constantly changing track conditions (and dimensions ) are what i think real racing is all about. If you haven't tried this race or are hesitant, I can say from experience that it's a great time and you should give it a try!
_________________
Nowysz Racing #6
tag sr + formula yamaha
Kalgard lubricants/cleaners
Gopro cameras
racing=life

[Roger Ruthhart]

Sorry I haven't chimed in sooner. Sometimes the "real" job gets in the way. First, thanks for all the feedback. Let me throw a few comments into the mix:
1) Unlike the Rio, Jumer's does not have acres of unused parking. Their parking lot is usually filled with gamblers.
2) We understand street racing isn't for everyone. We often tell people, "if you don't feel safe (here or anywhere else), don't race."
3) We started as a PKA race and learned a lot from it, but it's a different era. The sport can't go back to that.
4) What is hurting our event, and the sport in general, is the economy. We're just trying to work through it until things get better and more people can afford to get into the sport and those who are in it can afford to travel more.
5) SuperNats is what it is. We respect and support it, but it's a different animal. You can probably count competitors from east of the Rockies on two hands and I'm guessing the Euro teams might make up close to one-third of the entries. They do what they do very well and our goal is to do what we do well.
6) We have not expected the "major karting companies" to support our event any more than by bringing their customers here. It's not that we don't want their sponsor dollars -- we will happily take them -- but we know that such costs get passed along to the racers in one way or another.
7) The reduction in entries has meant a lot of changes for our event financially, but we have not spent one cent less on safety and the best officials available.

If you haven't already, please respond to our survey. We have another coming out after the holidays seeking addition feedback.

[Jason Ewers]

I have had the honor to run this event several times. This is by far the best ran street race in the mid west if not in the country. Here is my opinion on why entries are down.

1. New permanent facilities like NCMP. They offer very safe and very competitive environment and race a lot so if you are running for points you don't have a lot of weekends to spend time with the family. It being on a Labor day weekend I think is a double edge sword. It's nice to have an extra day to travel but some people use it as the family vacation weekend.

2. Street racing not being safe is the other thought. This race is by far one of the safest tracks I have ran on. I haven't raced it for a w years and I remember going into turn one thinking to myself I don't ever remember the track being this wide. I do feel that some sort of experience level should be required. I think I passed one guy 5 times this year. You Should not be getting lapped on this track. Not sure if they have it or not but if you get lapped you should get black flagged and off the track. This is just for safety reasons. Or do what Indy does and have a minimum speed requirement.

3. Economy, this is the big one, I believe I raced 2 classes with cost of hotel fuel, travel and tires (thanks rain) I was we'll over 1k for this event. Not sure how to make this more affordable, racing isn't cheap on any level.

That being said, I can't wait for next year. I will be back and have just as much fun as I always do. I can't thank roger and his staff enough for keeping street racing alive. We need more races like this. I bet someone watching this event will end up getting a kart and start racing. Karting is the purest form Of racing and I absolutely love this sport. I just hate living in the Midwest and have a 6 month break every year.

[Roger Ruthhart]

Boy, I sure hope my response didn't kill the discussion. I thought it was a good one.

Part of the issue is that there are some chicken and egg issues here.
Do big purses draw big fields? Not necessarily. 2 years ago we offered $5k to win in several classes. It did positively impact entries but we also heard from a lot who thought "this big money is going to draw all the best drivers and I won't have a chance so I'll stay home."

As for why some teams don't come, from what I hear many teams are driven by their younger drivers -- Junior I and II. We don't think most Jr. I drivers are ready for our event. We would like more Jr. II age drivers but they just have never supported our event no matter what class we have offered. If the junior drivers don't come, it's often not worth it for a team to make the trip. On the other hand we have had some teams over the years that have been very supportive (I won't name them because I'd likely forget someone important, but you all know who they are), but I'm sure even they would like to have more drivers participate.

I would love to hear more thoughts on those two issues.

Finally, a growing number of people have suggested a change in the course. We can't do anything too radical in terms of moving it because of street issues and needing proximity to the parking lots that make up the pit area, location of the timing loop, etc. But we could do something like extending a corner to create a 180 turn before returning to the existing track. That would change that corner and the approach to the next as well, change the gearing, avoiding some bad pavement and add a passing zone.

Regardless of how it might be changed, how important do you all think it is to change the track design?

Also, if you haven't responded to our 2 surveys, please do.

[Jason Ewers]

Please don't change the track. The rock is 5 lefts and a right that's how it needs to stay:-)

[Keith Bridgeman]

I don't think a change of the course is an issue at all. There are a few bumps now that might need fixing.
_________________
http://bridgemanbroskarting.blogspot.com/
Merlin / Maxter KZ