2025 Edition of Quincy Grand Prix of Karting Set for Late June
There’s currently one event in United States karting that is simply unlike any other, and that’s the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting. The famed street race in Quincy, Illinois is held at a unique venue, in front of a passionate crowd, and this year is scheduled for the June 28-29 weekend, featuring two days of racing around Quincy’s South Park roads that surround the landmark.
The 2025 edition of the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting is set for June 28-29 (Photo: Mark Schwigen)
Racing the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting dates back to 1970 when famed karting promoter Gus Traeder brought karting to ‘The Park’ for the first time. Among the inaugural winners was his son, Terry Traeder. Over the first 30 editions of the event, running through until 2001, it was Terry Traeder and Scott Evans who had earned the most wins, scoring 27 victories a piece. At the time of the 2001 event, the track had deteriorated and ‘rough and dangerous’ became its reputation in the karting community.
It wasn’t until 2017 before the roads of South Park in Quincy, Illinois were resurfaced. Once that upgrade was completed, city officials contacted Terry Traeder to see if bringing back the Grand Prix was an option. Traeder began working out the logistics, receiving a lot of support from local businesses and dignitaries, along with those in the karting community. It’s now part of the event’s story, but Traeder helped to carry on the tradition his father Gus built, bringing back the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting in 2018. After two strong events, the pandemic in 2020 cancelled the event, however, Traeder returned with the race in 2021 and 2022.
At the end of the 2022 season, Terry Traeder announced he would not be promoting the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting for 2023 and beyond. Many of the loyal karters felt the absence during the 2023 season, including former race winner and local business owner Jeff Scott. After the announcement by Traeder, Scott began working behind the scenes on revitalizing the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting for 2024. The 35th edition was hosted over the June 8-9 weekend last summer with over 200 entries.
The 36th edition of the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting is slated for June 28-29, returning to the South Park in Quincy, Illinois.
“The most common comment about competing at the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting is it’s one of the coolest courses you could race on,” stated event promoter Jeff Scott. “We are going to continue offering the same 4-cycle and 2-cycle divisions, along with the fan favorite shifter classes. This is the most spectator-attended event in the country for karting, welcoming over 15,000 people on the weekend. It’s fun on and off the track with our Saturday band in the park, along with the awards ceremonies right there with the fans.”
Jeff Dolian celebrating one of his two Margay Ignite victories at the 2019 Quincy Grand Prix (Photo: Mark Schwigen – Margay Racing)
The edition 2024 brought in Mini Moto to enjoy the Park, along with introducing a Briggs Novice class. The uniqueness of the Briggs Novice class was it was non-competitive, meaning just a session for drivers to go out and enjoy navigating the Park, rather than trying to race for position.
Both Mini Moto and Briggs Novice return in 2025, along with new programs. A Friday night Kids Powerwheel race will be the precursor to a drivers meet-and-greet to kick off the weekend. New classes for this year include a Women’s Pro Briggs class that will run in conjunction with the Briggs Novice class. The new Margay Ignite 100 program runs in the race group of the FK100 division to round out the 2025 Ignite Grand Prix Cup program with Elkhart Grand Prix and Rock Island Grand Prix.
Part of the update includes the seven Saturday feature races that are separated from the main events on Sunday. Those categories include Briggs Heavy, Margay Ignite, FK100/Ignite 100, Briggs Masters, Margay Ignite Masters and Pro Shifter. A total of 13 race groups make up the main event order on Sunday, featuring Briggs 206, Ignite, 2-cycle and Shifter divisions.
Registration is currently open for the 2025 Quincy Grand Prix of Karting on the event website. For complete information, including class structure, schedule and more, head to quincygrandprix.com
The Park event has welcomed many local and regional companies to support the event, which brought in racers from all across the United States (Photo: Rob Howden)
Other Articles on Quincy Grand Prix of Karting:
Karting to Return at Famous Quincy Park in Illinois
Quincy Grand Prix of Karting: Thoughts on the Legend – Part 1
Return of Quincy Grand Prix a Success
Race Report: 2019 Quincy Grand Prix
Race Report: 2021 Quincy Grand Prix
Race Report: 2022 Quincy Grand Prix
Making History: The Kellys Take on the Park
Quincy Grand Prix Not Returning in 2023
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