Official Rock Island Grand Prix Discussion

David Cole · Last edited by David Cole on Tue Sep 08, 2009 2:51 pm, edited 1 time in total

The time is here, Labor Day just around the corner means its time to journey once again to the Quad Cities, specifically Rock Island for the 15th edition of the Rock Island Grand Prix. With the event nearly canceled, the racers have stepped up to again return to the famed street race along the Mississippi River.

Leading up to the event, EKN reviewed the top-15 performances from the event's 14 year history, publishing the number one performance today: http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=13253

You can review all 15 by viewing today's number one performance.

eKaritngNews.com is excited to return to the Rock, with a complete event preview set to run Friday as the crew travels West bound on I-80. With Saturday's practice and qualifying, EKN will have complete coverage with photos, forum updates, and a day's report. Sunday will host the main events - including the revised King of the Streets and the 13 other classes - EKN on top of all the action.
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Kelly Sears · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:33 am Post subject:

I thought the top 15 was great, But a couple of names and performances that were left out. The first is Todd Bolton won the rock 8 times with many poles but the big thing is he has never missed racing in a RIGP pretty amazing to me. The other one is Michael Dittmer three cans wins in a row and going for his foruth this year. Just two guys that I thougt nedded a little PR. I understand it is hard to choose and I am not disagreeing with your choices they are all good. But I think these two guys deserve a pat on the back for their accomplishments at the ROCK.

Kathy Gerst · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:13 am Post subject:

I would have thought it would be dificult to pick only 15 for the top in 15 years of racing. We have been to Rock Island two years now, and going for our third, and it is totally different than any other race we have been to. Awesome!!! Hope we can continue to go for the next several years.

As I have said before the Rock is one place where every kart driver is treated like a Rock Star. I love the pre-race driver parade and the over all atmosphere!
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Kelly Sears · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:

Kathy I agree 100% there is no better place to race, to me its kartings Indy 500.

Kelly Sears · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:29 am Post subject:

I did some research and Bolton is third on the all time win list ,2nd all time poles, tope five on the money win list and never missed a race. Hope he is there this year, three more days.

joe johnson · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 5

The Rock has always been a great show, whittling the list down to 15 is nearly an impossible feat. Having said that.....this list is just way off!

It's ironic or rather unsettling that the current list has 13 of the 15 "greatest performances" taking place within the past 6 years????

No great performance mentions for Evans, Eric Jones, Brent Smith, Bolton, Rod Stewart, King, Garland? Had you been to The Rock prior to the year 2002?

here are the few I agree with being actually great Rock weekend performances.

4 - Welsh Earns Second Three-Win Performance in One of the Greatest Come From Behind Victories - 2004
6 - Kyle Krueger Goes Last to First in Wet and Wild 125cc Moto - 2006
9 - Jones Claims Four Victories at RIGP - 1996
10 - Lawson Bags Three for Second Time at RIGP - 2005
11 - Birdsell Wins Record Five of Nine Races - 1998

The next list 12,13.....why these would be great performances? Fantastic racers.....but top 15 of all time RIGP performance? No! Certainly they are all huge names in the world of motorsports but nothing racing related to makes it dramatic enough to put these runs top 15 moments.

12 - Scott Speed Wins King of the Streets - 2002
13 - Nelson Philippe Wins 125cc Semi Pro - 2002

and lastly 2,3,14. Definitely historical moments, sure they would be Hall of Fame worthy, However the article is discussing something completely different!

2 - Lawson Becomes All-Time Win Leader at RIGP - 2007
3 - History Made by Michele Bumgarner as the First Female Winner at the RIGP - 2008
14 - Alan Rudolph Bids Farewell to RBI with King of the Streets Win - 2006

The list has a huge curve placed on the winning The King of the Streets Race. 30% of the list? Amazing considering this tagged King event If I remember correctly just started in 2001. Frankly the list appears to have been put together with minimal research and in a rush to meet a deadline....of course I could have a mid-westerners bias towards 4 strokes and be ranting.

See you at the Rock! Smile

Rob Howden · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:27 am Post subject:

Rob Howden · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:39 am Post subject:

Then again, we could have called it 'EKN's Top-15 Rock Island GP Highlights' and you could have all left us alone! Wink

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Kyle Ludwick · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:58 am Post subject:

I'm sure ready! It'll be my first Rock Island Grand Prix experience as well. Lets go EVOLUTION KARTING!!!
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Keith Buffo · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:09 am Post subject:

is it 6:30 yet?!

Man I've never so looked forward to being crammed in a truck with 5 guys for 20 hours. This race is part of why I bought a kart, and it's finally here.

Can't wait to get this party started!
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Roger Ruthhart · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 1298

This effort by Rob and David has been in the works for months. They tracked down many of the racers - some no longer in the sport - to talk with them.

Sure, not everyone is going to agree with the picks or the order. But to suggest this was done without research and at the last minute is just petty and unfair. It is great enterprise reporting and we should be happy to have an outlet willing to undertake stories like this, as well as race previews, etc.

Let's give them props for this huge undertaking, not nit-pick it.

If someone has a better list, let's see it. That's what forums are all about. But there's no reason to attack the efforts of others.

See you all this weekend. Oh, and if you can't make it, you can follow the news ONLY at Ekartingnews.com

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JT Miles · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:33 am Post subject:

I think the list was great.. Good Job Rob and David.. Seeing the list probably got a lot of people pumped and excited for the weekend...
Cant wait for this weekend!!!
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Kathy Gerst · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:

Roger, maybe they should have had a top 50 list, in no particular order, instead??? I enjoyed reading the list. But like I said, sure would be hard to pick just 15 in 15 years of racing at the Rock.

We are anxious. We are packed and ready to leave at 4pm tonight... as soon as we can get out of school/work.

Can't wait to get there and see everyone. Good Luck!

Hoping for another Safe and Fun race.
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David Cole · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks Keith for the post. That's what events like this should be. Everyone hoping in a truck and trailer, heading out for the holiday weekend to enjoy company and some great racing. Make sure you stop me for some EKN Stickers over the weekend. Safe travels.
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Jason Lee · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm Post subject:

Theres a race this weekend? Wink

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