05-06-05
NEWS FROM THE ROCK ISLAND GRAND PRIX
Rock Island, Illinois — Here's the latest news about what's happening for the 11th annual Rock Island Grand Prix kart races, Sept. 3-4, 2005, in Rock Island, Illinois, presented by SBC and CJC Investments, a Homevestors franchisee.
Registration: Entry packets will be mailed Weds. May 4 to previous participants and everyone else on our mailing list. Just because you are on this email list doesn't mean you are on the mailing list. If you don't receive an Entry Packet, or aren't on the list and want to be, please call at the Grand Prix office at 309-292-8133.
Also, effective immediately you can register online with a credit card through our website at www.rockislandgrandprix.com. You can also download and print the 8-page Entry Packet from the website. We encourage everyone to register early. As in the past, there will be caps on classes. All but four classes will be capped at 30 entries. The first four classes to surpass 30 entries will cap at 55. In those classes, the fastest 25 karts in qualifying advance to the final, with the remainder racing for the final 5 spots in a last chance qualifier.
As the only one-off direct qualifier to the TAG World Finals, and from feedback from racers, we expect both TAG classes to run over 30 entries. History tells us that the Yamaha 4-hole can (Super Sportsman) will exceed 30 entries, probably leaving only one more class to run more than 30 karts, so register soon.
Several 2005 entries are already in hand. North Texas Karters' Road to The Rock entries have been committed and Jean Valerio of Costa Rica entered TAG Senior using last year's entry form. Bill Brooks from Quincy (Rumble at The Rock), Cory Simpson from St. Louis (TAG Sr., TAG Masters and Moto) and Todd Bolton from Illinois (Yamaha can and pipe) got their entries through while the website was under construction.
SKUSA & Stars: The Rock Island Grand Prix is proud to host SKUSA's King of The Streets again this year, as well as the Stars U.S. Street Grand Prix for ICC and ICA. The RIGP class lineup remains the same as in 2004. Track time is limited at Rock Island and, as in the past, we encourage ICC drivers to consider participating in both King of the Streets under SKUSA rules and CIK World Calendar event run under Stars rules. Both of these organizations deserve your support. A solid ICA field in 2005 will be essential to the future of this World Calendar class at The Rock.
Hotel Reservations: As noted previously, a block of rooms has been established again at the Four Points by Sheraton, our official race headquarters. Unfortunately, the Four Points Hotel is already full. A listing of other nearby hotels, locations and rates, on our website at www.rockislandgrandprix.com, has been updated. Please make your reservations soon.
Tag Heavy Ruling: TAG U.S.A. has a local option rule which allows drivers who are not yet age 35, but who are over 200 lbs., to race in TAG Masters. “We have been asked if we will apply this option. Our organizing committee has ruled that drivers over 200 lbs. will be able to race in TAG Masters at Rock Island ONLY if they are also age 30 or older. This is specified in our Supplemental Rules. Drivers who qualify for Masters in this manner will NOT qualify for the TAG World Championships in Masters and will be replaced by the next-highest finisher,” said Roger Ruthhart, event director.
Free Entry: A drawing was held at Kart Expo International and a free entry for this year's Rock Island Grand Prix was awarded. The winner is Curt Ellis of Bristol, Wisconsin.
Race Officials Set: The team of race officials for 2005 has been set. Terry Riggins will again serve as race director. Kevin Williams will be Clerk of Course. Harold and Troy Meyer will be assistant race directors and Tommy Argy III will be the starter. Bob Paladichuk, a veteran technical official with WKA, TAG U.S.A., SKUSA and NASCAR Winston Cup, will head the technical team. Other officials include Jack Hoegerl, Mike Claussen, Scott G. Evans and Marty Casey. Handling pre-grid duties again will be Nancy Paladichuk and Bob Ling. Tom Thelen will run timing and scoring. Becky Rasmussen will be head corner marshal and Debbie Duffy will run registration. Rob Howden and Bill Ruthhart will again be your track
announcers. Folks, it doesn't get much better than this!
Also expected to be in attendance at this year's event according to early contacts, will be Joe Janowski from SKUSA, Tony Barton from WKA, Paul Zalud and Jeff Swoboda from Stars, Marshall Martin from Rotax Max, Dave Larson from TAG USA and IRA, Ron Heslor from North Texas Karters/Road to the Rock, and Jim Keesling, SKUSA Mountain Tour.
Awards Ceremony: This year's Sunday night Awards Ceremony, sponsored by John Deere, has been moved to a larger venue. The Brew & View II Theater is located midway between Corners 3 & 4 and is more than twice the size of Comedy Sportz, with a larger bar, theater seating as well as tables and couches. Food and drinks will be available and entertainment will keep you busy until tech inspections are completed and checks are cut. As always, top 9 finishers will be invited onto the stage and encouraged to use as much time as they want to thank those who have supported their racing careers. Checks and "Rocks" will be presented and we'll try to get you out of there in time for The Travoltas all-ages concert on the plaza stage. The RIGP suggests that you plan to stay over Sunday night and enjoy all the fun that Rock Island has to offer.
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