The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race, will run for the 29th time this August 31-September 1. A number of changes and improvements will be announced this Spring and Summer.

The 2024 version will see two changes in race classes. Gone from the lineup are Briggs & Stratton Novice and TAG. They are replaced by Briggs 206 Light and Briggs Junior (ages 12-15). There is an accompanying change in weights with Junior running at 320 lbs., Light at 350, Medium at 370 and Heavy and Masters at 390 lbs. This year the Briggs 206 King of the Rock race will run at 370 lbs.

Other classes to be offered are:

• Margay Ignite Shootout Senior 1 & 2 and Ignite Masters
• Open Shifter, Rok/Honda Shifter, Shifter Masters, and King of The Streets
• 100cc Senior for KA100, VLR and Yamaha Pipe; and 100cc King of The Rock
• Yamaha KT100 Can Heavy
• Vintage Open, Mac and Yamaha classes

For the sake of safety, the Grand Prix organizing committee has also decided to drop the pea pick for starting positions in many classes and run timed qualifying during practice to measure lap times and set starting positions. “Forcing the fastest drivers to start from the back for no real reason opens the door for more incidents between those drivers and slower drivers they may have to pass. Safety is our number one issue and timed qualifying is pretty routine at other national level races,” said Grand Prix president Roger Ruthhart. “Our committee was unanimous in deciding to make this change.”

The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix will also offer guaranteed payouts for the King of The Rock and King of The Streets races of $1,000 for first, $500 for second and $250 for third places. Additional awards may be approved based on entries.

“Last year offered a lot of challenges in making track adjustments to meet the expectations of our insurance underwriters and keep the event going. This year will bring some more changes but much more positive as improvements continue downtown and the Grand Prix works to grow entries, sponsorship and nightly entertainment,” said Ruthhart.

Watch the Grand Prix’s social media pages for details on Rules and Registration. Sponsor inquiries and race questions can be sent to rockislandgrandprix@gmail.com.

A room block for racers has been set up at the Holiday Inn in Rock Island.

Rock Island is located in an area known as the Quad-Cities, equally divided between Illinois and Iowa, with a metropolitan population of 400,000. It is home to the Rock Island Arsenal military base and corporate headquarters for John Deere in Moline, Ill. It is served by the Quad-City International Airport and is at the intersection of Interstate highways 80, 74, 88 and 280.

The Grand Prix typically attracts race teams from coast to coast. There have been drivers from 10 foreign countries and 16 foreign winners. Last year saw more than 17,000 spectators over the 2-day event.

Sponsors for the event include: Mediacom, National Karting Alliance, Briggs & Stratton Racing, Simpson Racing, Bally’s Quad-Cities Casino & Hotel, Hoosier Kartsport, MG Tires, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Lincoln Electric, Modern Woodmen Financial/ Joe Schurr agent, C&W and Sons Trucking, Shaw Electric, Halligan, McCabe, DeVries Funeral Home, CBS TV4 / Fox 18 and CW, the local iHeart radio stations: Big106.5, Fox Sports QC, WOC and WLLR, QCSportsnet.com, Group O, Eagle Concrete Construction, Moon Printing, Illinois Casualty Company, Hiland Toyota, Courtesy Car City, Schurr Power Racing Engines, Sunbelt Rentals, Johannes Bus Service,  Holiday Inn Rock Island, eKartingNews.com, Gas & Electric Credit Union, Rogan Scale, Triple E Sales, RLV Tuned Exhaust, Speedway Fire & Rescue, Fastenal, 61 Kartway, Duncalf Karting, Hughes Tire, RIGP Corner Workers and Transmissions Plus.

For more information on the race, please visit racerockisland.info

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