This weekend is the 29th edition of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Presented by The Hemp Doctor, where the city streets of Rock Island, Illinois are transformed into a two-day karting festival over the Labor Day weekend. The event began back in 1994, and karters have been coming to the Quad Cities region for the last three decades. This year’s event ushers in a new era, as the city is renovating its downtown region, forcing a new track layout and and new streets to be utilized for a race course that will measure just under six-tenths of a mile.

A total of 16 classes in 14 race groups will compete at this year’s Rock Island Grand Prix and eKartingNews.com will once again partner with the RIGP family to produce a live audio play-by-play broadcast from the new start-finish line on Fifth Avenue, all part of our EKN Trackside Live coverage program along with social media and forum updates. Jay Kidwell – sports director at WHBF-TV – and race car driver Carter Pease will be on the microphone to call the action throughout the weekend, and those not in attendance can listen in both days at www.ekartingnews.com/live along with playing on the EKN Radio Network.

Nine of the categories are focused on the Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform. Since 2012, the engine has grown into the backbone of the grassroots level across the country and it has also become the focus at the Rock Island Grand Prix. The headline King of the Rock has seen three drivers crowned as the winner with Michael Dittmer, Drake Ostrom, and Chase Jones earning the title. Only Dittmer is back to try and make it two crowns while 27 others will look to become the fourth different winner in the category, including Tony Neilson – second all-time on the RIGP win list at 25 victories. Many of the same drivers will be competing in the Briggs 206 Medium, Heavy, and Masters categories with Briggs 206 Light being introduced this year.

Michael Dittmer is the only former King of the Rock Briggs 206 winner in the field (Photo: EKN)

The Briggs 206 class extends into the Margay Ignite program, which began racing at the RIGP in 2015. The spec-chassis program puts a focus on the driver, and it has shown in the results with seven different winners over the seven main events at the Rock Island Grand Prix. Last year, Neilson won Senior Final 2 and Masters while Riley Scott won a second straight in Senior Final 1 category. Former winners in the field include Ashton Wheeler and Scott Barnes, among others. The Masters class was introduced in 2017 and only two drivers have won during that span – including ‘Pistol’ Pete Vetter and Neilson. Former RIGP winner Rick Fulks is back after a multi-year hiatus from the event as a competitor.

The Margay Ignite program will also welcome EKN Publisher Rob Howden and Managing Editor David Cole. For Howden, this will be his first trip back to Rock Island since 2015 while Cole is celebrating his 20th straight trek to the event, and his 12th time behind the wheel. Both will have full OnBoard coverage including social media updates and more as the weekend goes on.

The Ignite Grand Prix Cup wraps up at Rock Island Grand Prix this weekend (Photo: EKN)

For the first time in event history, there will be no shifterkarts zooming around the city streets for the Rock Island Grand Prix. Due to lack of entries, the coveted King of the Streets category and the two supporting classes will not be contested.

The King of the Rock 100cc class was introduced in 2021, won by Race Liberante while Justin Wishard came through, winning both King and regular Senior 100cc category in 2022. Chase Jones became the first double RIGP King of the Rock winner in 2023 to become the third different winner.

Vintage category closes out the categories for the 2024 Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix with three specific classes taking to the city streets once again to provide a glimpse into the history of the sport.

Be sure to follow EKN Social Media channels – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – all weekend long with updates, results, photos, videos and more throughout the weekend at the Rock Island Grand Prix.

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