The Rock Island Grand PrixTM
1724 Fourth Ave., Suite 200
Rock Island, Ill. 61201
For information contact:
Jennifer Fowler (309) 788-6311; Jennifer@TeamRock Island.com
Roger Ruthhart (309) 786-6441;
PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS -- Californian Alex Speed was crowned Superkarts! USA’s King of the Streets and Michele Bumgarner became the first female winner at this year’s Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race. Meanwhile, Gary Lawson quietly added two more victories to his record total of 14 victories on the historic street course.
Presenting sponsors of The Rock Island Grand Prix are AT&T and Mazda Motorsports. Jumer’s Casino Rock Island is sponsor of the $35,000 purse – one of the largest payouts in professional karting. Kart Expo International sponsored by Sodi Kart, to be held Feb. 21-22, 2009 in suburban Chicago, also is a major sponsor. Holiday Inn in Rock Island is the host hotel and race headquarters.
Speed found himself in an early dual with Indiana’s Kyle Wiegand until he retired due to mechanical problems. This left Speed to cruise to a 9 second win over Wildkart’s Derek Crockett with Cole Mathewson (CRG) in third. Speed’s brother, former Formula 1 and current NASCAR truck driver Scott Speed, won the King of the Streets title in 2002.
“Our biggest concern was that this was my first time here, but Kyle (Wiegand) has been here for something like five years now. He had the course experience. It was disappointing to not have him on the podium with us. It just shows you have to be lucky and good,” said Alex.
The win brought Speed a $4,000 check, a free entry in the Superkarts! USA SuperNats in LasVegas. The win, combined with a later second-place finish in Intercontinental C, also won the chance for a test drive in the Firestone Indy Lights car provided by Steve Eppard of SWE Racing. Wiegand edged Speed by .169 of a second for the win in ICC.
Bumgarner, a native of the Philippines, piloted her Leopard-powered Margay to a win in the TAG Senior class. The win not only made her the first woman to win at Rock Island, but the race’s seventh foreign-born winner. She was locked in a battle with Kyle Erdmann (Margay) for much of the race with the two drivers trading alternating fast-lap times until with two laps to go Bumgarner dove around some lapped karts to gain a .916 of a second margin of victory at the checkered flag. Scott Hamble and Brett Johnson followed up to give Margay 1-2-3-4 in the class with Arrow’s Andrew Coulter fifth.
“This will stick with me my whole career. Everyone goes on about how great this race is and it’s special that this is my first time here and my first win here. I hope to come back,” said Bumgarner.
Lawson (Arrow) managed to put together wins in 4-cycle Animal Heavy and 2-cycle Senior Sportsman Medium to keep his winning tradition alive at Rock Island. He was out early in the Rumble at The Rock 4-cycle race, leaving Steven Kilsdonk to win the $2,000 first place check.
The new TAG SuperPro class turned out a small but talented field. Johnny Johnson and Caleb Loniewski put Kosmic in the first two positions on the podium while Georgian Chris Wehrheim (Top Kart) was third. Robert Pretts (Intrepid) edged Crockett in the 125 Moto class with Phil Gordon (SKM) and Carly Mandarino (BRM) third and fourth.
Hamble, from Indianapolis, added another win for Margay in TAG Masters beating John Dixon (Birel) by just over 2 seconds. Michael Dittmer edged Lawson by .394 of a second to win 2-cycle Senior Sportsman Heavy. Tim Goettsch was third just .784 of a second back. “That was one of the wildest races I’ve ever been part of with us going three wide there,” Dittmer admitted.
Tim Goettsch added another win for the Margay stable in 2-cycle Pipe Heavy while setting a new fast-lap record for the class with a 34.731. Another new class, 125cc stock moto, found Wildkart driver Crockett on the top of the podium. Wildkart’s Matt Zeis was second and Voytek Burdzy (PCR) was third.
“Winning here means everything,” said Crockett. “This is one of the trophies that everyone wants and they’re real hard to get. I’ve been racing 10 years and this is my first Rock. That means a lot.”
The Tom Argy Jr. Sportsman class for junior drivers was plagued from the start. One driver was sidelined right off the start and several more tangled before the completion of a lap brining out the red flag. The restart saw only five karts on the grid and Missouri’s Justin Jennings (Margay) and Sam Beasley (Arrow) from Iowa both broke the previous fast-lap record for the class, with Beasley now owning the record with a 37.235 on his way to a second place, just .149 of a second behind Jennings.
The last class of the day, 125cc Shifter Masters for gearbox drivers over age 35, turned out one of the largest fields and one of the best races as Texan Collin Lynn (Birel) and Indiana’s Shayne Shipley got locked up in a bumper to bumper battle. Lynn would hold on to win by .148 of a second with Jason Lee (CRG) finishing third.
The races were broadcast live worldwide via the internet by RaceFanRadio.com. Checks and “Rock” trophies were presented at the John Deere Awards Ceremony Sunday night.
Roger Ruthhart, president of the Grand Prix organizing committee, said that despite a decline in entries attributed to current economic conditions, that both the racers and thousands of spectators the race attracts, enjoyed a great weekend of close racing. “The Rock Island Grand Prix continues to be a very special and memorable experience for those who return to compete year after year,” he said.
The Rock Island Grand Prix has drawn top drivers from 35 states as well as Canada, Bermuda, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Italy, Poland, Costa Rica, England and now the Philippines.
Race details are available on the Grand Prix website at and
On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car. In fact, the fastest growing road-racing class in the U.S. is the SCCA’s Spec Miata class, with nearly 1,500 first- and second-generation Miatas tearing up America’s racetracks, making it the most-raced production car in the world. Mazda’s involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s premier road-racing circuits, and the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing.
Mazda North American Operations, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.Canadian operations are managed byMazda Canada, Inc., in Ontario, and in Mexico byMazdaMotor de Mexico, MexicoCity. (, www. Mazdaspeedmotorsports.com )
AT&T is the largest telecommunications company in the United States and one of the largest in the world. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications services to business and the U.S. leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. As part of its "three screen" integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T U-verse TV. With 55.8 million subscribers, AT&T provides international voice services to virtually every country and territory in the world. It is a global company that sets the industry standard for a new era of integrated communications and entertainment services. The AT&T Foundation has contributed more than $1.8 billion to nonprofit organizations around the country, including $60 million in 2006, putting it among the five largest corporate foundations in the United States. ()
The Rock Island Grand Prix is hosted by The Downtown Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District which features Casino Rock Island, retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and comedy clubs all within walking distance of the host hotel. It is located on the Mississippi River three hours west of Chicago in an area known as the Quad-Cities which straddles the river and the Illinois/Iowa border. It is at the intersection of Interstate highways 74, 88 and 80 and is served by Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill. ()
For more information on the Rock Island Grand Prix, visit our web site at .
2009 ROCK ISLAND GRAND PRIX
30-31 AUGUST, 2009
1. King of the Streets (SKUSA ICC/moto)
Sponsor: Bob Bondurant Racing School
Top prize: $4,000 (30 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Alex Speed Manteca, CA -
2. Derek Crockett Cahokia, IL +9.002
3. Cole Mathewson Indianapolis, IN +10.267
4. Nick Johnson Maple Grove, MN +10.786
5. Patrick Malacarne Belleville, IL +19.305
6. Jason Lee Indianapolis, IN +19.602
7. Scott Barnes Pembroke, Bermuda +28.828
8. Alex Conlin LaPorte, IN +29.085
9. Justin de Sa Ontario, Canada +30.645
10. Jonathan Koorsen Marshalltown, IA +1 lap
11. Kyle Wiegand Bargersville, IN +9 laps
12. Kurt Mathewson Indianapolis, IN +17 laps
-- Fastest lap: Wiegand, 31.992.
-- Top qualifier: Speed, 32.175.
-- Record lap time: 31.476 (Wiegand, '05 feature).
-- Past champs: '08: Alex Speed. '07-'06 & '01-'00 & '98 & '94: Alan Rudolph, Phoenix, AZ. '05-'04: Wiegand, Bargersville, IN.. '03: Bobby Wilson, Dousman, WI. '02: Scott Speed, San Dimas, CA. '99: A.J. Whisler, Martin, OH. '96: Joey Hand, Elk Grove, CA. '95: Mark Barth, Waterford, MI.
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2. 4-Cycle Animal Heavy
Sponsor: Zimmerman Cars
Top prize: $500 (12 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Gary Lawson Mentor, OH -
2. Taylor Moore Lake Village, IN +1.679
3. Scott Kleman Farmington, MI +3.359
4. Travis DeVriendt Sherrard, IL +9.335
5. Matt Gifford Rennselaer, IN +10.102
6. Jason Trennepohl McCordsville, IN +11.202
7. John Floor Westfield, IN +12.690
8. Steven Kilsdonk, Middleton WI +12.820
9. Mike Clausen Rock Island, IL +15.433
10. Connor Lund, Davis, IL +15.599
11. Ken Williams High Ridge, MO +18.406
12. Tony Franklin Davenport, IA +27.540
13. Bart Johnson Blue Grass, IA +35.027
14. Austin Sears Macomb, IL 1 lap
15. Joe Janiga Valparaiso, IN +2.651
16. Jerry Miller Carlinville, IL 3 laps
17. Kent Marek Clinton, IN 5 laps
-- Did not start: Chuck Karau, Rochester, MN.
-- Fastest lap: Lawson, 36.674.
-- Top qualifier: Lawson, 36.973.
-- Record lap time: 35.543 (Billy Dickson, West Decatur, PA, '05 feature).
-- Past champs: '08-'07-'06-'05-'04: Lawson.
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3. TAG Masters
Sponsor: Mazda Motorsports
Top prize: $500 (20 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Scott Hamble Indianapolis, IN -
2. John Dixon Evansville, IN +2.079
3. Roberto Castro Algonquin, IL +17.564
4. Rick Apichairuk Warrenville, IL +22.355
5. Chris Clover Marshalltown, IA +23.043
6. Brian Thomas Tulsa, OK +23.918
7. John McNeil Braintree, MA +27.408
8. Paul Russo Lincolnshire, IL +35.586
9. Richard D'Amato Burlington, NJ +26.682
10. Drew Neubauer Austin, TX +43.237
11. Albert Cram Iowa City, IA 1 lap
12. Jim Slade Bridgewater, MA +0.107
13. Brian Wake Geneseo, IL +16.072
14. Craig Susalis Howell, NJ +25.798
15. Steve Maurer Clarence, IA 2 laps
16. Bill Rieken Marion, IA +21.650
17. Darryl Ramsey Cape Girardeau, MO +22.262
18. Brian McHattie Youngstown, OH 6 laps
19. Shane Wells Milan, IL 9 laps
20. Donald Nelson Bloomington, MN 10 laps
21. Mark McCormack Athens, AL 16 laps
22. Douglas O'Horo Long Branch, NJ +1.120
-- Did not start: Rusty Beville, Southlake, TX; Quincy Smith, Decatur, IL.
-- Disqualified: Drew Hockenson, Tulsa, OK.
-- Fastest lap: Dixon, 34.163
-- Top qualifier: McHattie, 34.561.
-- Record lap time: 33.667 (Dixon, '06 feature).
-- Past champs: '08: Hamble. '07: McHattie. '06: Dixon. '05: Aaron Combs, San Marcos, CA. '04: McCormack, Athens, AL. '03: Mike Combs, Sheridan, IL.
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4. 2-Cycle Super Sportsman Heavy
Sponsor: AT&T
Top prize: $500 (12 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Michael Dittmer Davenport, IA -
2. Gary Lawson Mentor, OH +0.394
3. Tim Goettsch Bettendorf, IA +0.784
4. Kyle Erdmann Coal Valley, IL +6.341
5. Brandon Cather Rock Island, IL +9.392
6. Brett Johnson Colona, IL +11.724
7. Todd Bolton Bowen, IL +13.576
8. Jason Allen Sugar Grove, IL +13.860
9. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA +14.292
10. Richard Hale Lafayette, IN +15.632
11. Craig Newforth Spencer, IN +15.906
12. Cale Wyse Evansville, WI +18.696
13. Ken Bratsch Rock Island, IL +28.990
14. Lincoln Eppard, Johnston, IA +29.316
15. Quentin Fischlein Davenport, IA +35.305
16. Austin Sears Macomb, IL 1 lap
17. Chris Franklin Davenport, IA +1.810
18. Bobby Garrison Davenport, IA +20.760
19. Garrett Bouchard Clinton, IA 9 laps
20. Kyle Zelle LeClaire, IA 11laps
21. Leo Carr Bettendorf, IA +0.807
-- Did not start: Frank Wagner, Tega City SC
-- Fastest lap: Goettsch, 36.008
-- Top qualifier: Lawson, 36.226.
-- Record lap time: 35.209 (Joey King, Silvis, IL, '06 feature).
-- Past champs: '08-'07-'06: Dittmer.
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5. 125cc Moto Shifter
Sponsor: Mazda Motorsports
Top prize: $500 (20 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Robert Pretts N. Branch MN -
2. Derek Crockett Cahokia, IL +0.162
3. Phillip Gordon Evanston, IL +18.545
4. Carly Mandarino Elgin, IL +24.139
5. Joel Brown Des Moines, IL +32.489
6. Dan Roe Chanhassen, MN 3 laps
7. Patrick Malacame Belleville, IL 4 laps
8. Stephen Barnett Anoka, MN +38.899
9. Scott Barnes, Pembroke, Bermuda 6 laps
10. Darrick Lang Oshkosh, WI 9 laps
11. Kevin Nelson Bloomington, MN +1:58.534
12. Josh Lane Algonquin, IL 14 laps
13. Chris Shultz Indianapolis, IN 18 laps
-- Did not start: Zach Betts, Andover, IL.
-- Fastest lap: Crockett, 32.790.
-- Top qualifier: Lane, 33.172.
-- Record lap time: 32.133 (Chris Farrell, Park City, UT, '05 feature).
-- Past champs: '08 & '05 & '03: Pretts. '07: Barnes. '06: Kyle Krueger, Bonney Lake, WA. '04 & '01: D.Roe, Cokato, MN. '02: Nelson Phillippe, Key Biscayne, FL. (native of France). '00: Rob Thurman, Clayton, CA.
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6. ICC North American Street Championship
Sponsor: CBS-TV 4
Top prize: $4,000 (20 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Kyle Wiegand Bargerville, IN -
2. Alex Speed Manteca, CA +0.169
3. Collin Lynn Melissa, TX +10.432
4. Scott Barnes, Pembroke, Bermuda +18.847
5. Zachary Betts Andover, MN +21.025
6. Jonathan Koorsen Marshalltown, IA+22.421
7. Kevin Broderick Plattsburgh, NY 1 lap
8. Justin de Sa Ontario, Canada 12 laps
9. Derek Crockett Cahokia, IL 13 laps
10. John Meier Bellevue, IA 15 laps
11. Alex Conlin LaPorte, IN 16 laps
12. Nick Johnson Maple Grove, MN +0.520
13. Paul Wickesser, Acushnet, MA 17 laps
-- Did not start: Cole Mathewson, Indianapolis, IN.
-- Fastest lap: Speed, 32.239.
-- Top qualifier: Wiegand, 32.504.
-- Record lap time: 31.176 (Wiegand, '06 feature, course record).
-- Past champs: '08-'07-'06-'05 & '02: Wiegand. '04-'03: Alan Rudolph, Phoenix, AZ.
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7. 2-Cycle Pipe Heavy
Sponsor: AT&T
Top prize: $500 (12 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Tim Goettsch Bettendorf, IA --
2. Kyle Erdmann Coal Valley, IL +5.630
3. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA +11.224
4. Scott Hamble Indianapolis, IN +11.343
5. Todd Bolton Bowen, IL +11.548
6. Garrett Bouchard Clinton, IA +15.256
7. Tony Jump DeKalb, IL +25.302
8. Jeff Hoff Westmont, IL +27.261
9. Will Laub Coal Valley, IL +28.639
10. Dean Leifheit North Aurora, IL +32.362
11. Anthony Specht Coal Valley, IL 1 lap
12. Chris Franklin Davenport, IA +7.756
13. Alex Angel Speedway, IN 6 laps
14. Jeff Henson Geneseo, IL 8 laps
15. Kris Wentink Bettendorf, IA 10 laps
16. Michael Dittmer Davenport, IA +5.297
17. Cale Wyse Evansville, WI 11 laps
-- Did not start: Jim Brummet, Geneseo, IL.
-- Fastest lap: Goettsch, 34.731.
-- Top qualifier: Goettsch, 34.931.
-- Note: New class in 2008.
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8. Tom Argy Jr. Sportsman
Sponsor: Rieken Racing
Top prize: $150 (10 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Justin Jennings LaGrange, MO --
2. Sam Beasley Leroy, IA +0.149
3. Tyler Stillmunkes DeWitt, IA +19.733
4. Gregory Gerst Peculiar, MO +20.788
5. Sebastian Peters Ankeny, IA
6. Trey Lohr Painesville, OH 9 laps
7. T.J. Keesy Rock Island, IL
8. Drake Ostrom Moline,IL
9. B.J. Bates Long Grove, IA
10. J.T. Lewis Kewanee, IL
11. Austin Blunk Bettendorf, IA
-- Did not start: Zach Corson, Rapids City, IL; Rocky Martinez, Pico Rivera, CA.
-- Fastest lap: Beasley, 37.235* (new record).
-- Top qualifier: Jennings, 37.381.
-- Record lap time: 37.235 (Beasley in '08 final).
-- Past champs: '08-'07: Jennings. '06: Call. Past junior race champs (different classes): '05: Taylor Moore, Lake Village, IN. '04: Zachary Linsell, Wind Gap, PA. '03: Richie Kuhn, Mentor, OH. '02: Tim Goettsch, Bettendorf, IA. '01: Joey King, Silvis, IL. '00: Michael Dittmer, Davenport, IA. '95: Chris Shearburn, Springfield, IL (twice). '94: Dan Schmalshof, Adair, IL, and Brian Lay, Millbury, OH
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9. TAG Senior
Sponsor: PG Racing
Top prize: $500 (20 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Michele Bumgarner, Philippines -
2. Kyle Erdmann Coal Valley, IL +0.916
3. Scott Hamble Indianapolis, IN +5.574
4. Brett Johnson Colona, IL +7.619
5. Andrew Coulter Quincy, IL +12.286
6. David Yourd Chicago, IL +12.585
7. Ryan Miller Newbury, OH +12.850
8. Jonathan Evans Warrenville, IL +13.356
9. Dale Kistler-Collins Thornton, CO +13.405
10. Chris Enderlein St. Paul, MN +13.723
11. Alex Angel Speedway, IN +14.567
12. Richard Hale Lafayette, IN +14.651
13. Alex Nowysz Adel, IA +21.762
14. Rick Apichairuk Warrenville, IL 1 lap
15. Drew Hockenson Tulsa, OK 3 laps
16. Josh Lane Algonquin, IL +15.328
17. Chad Landers Plover, WI 4 laps
18. Kevin Nelson Bloomington, MN 9 laps
19. Sam Jordan Shawnee, KS +16.213
20. Jim Slade Bridgewater, MA +23.076
21. Josuha Goar Andover, MN 10 laps
22. Ashley Betts Andover, MN 16 laps
23. Chris Hale Terre Haute, IN 18 laps
24. Colton Aldridge Carmel, IN 19 laps
25. Aaaron Snyder North Aurora, IL +5.251
-- Did not start: David Dempsey, Rockaway, NY; Mack McCormack, Athens, AL; Darryl Ramsey, Cape Girardeau, MO; Kevin Riley, Cedar Rapids, IA.
-- Fastest lap: Erdmann, 33.568
-- Top qualifier: Bumgarner, 33.906.
-- Record lap time: 32.814 (Brandon Jones, Billings, MO, '06 feature).
-- Past champs: '08: Bumgarner. '07 & '05: Caleb Loniewski. '06: Martin Pierce, England. '04: Jim Cassi, Minneapolis, MN. '03: Matt Champagne, Canada.
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10. 2-Cycle Super Sportsman Medium
Sponsor: CBS-TV 4
Top prize: $500 (12 laps)
Ord. Name Home Behind lead
1. Gary Lawson Mentor, OH -
2. Tim Goettsch Bettendorf, IA +0.275
3. Michael Dittmer Davenport, IA +2.282
4. Tony Jump DeKalb, IL +2.376
5. Josh Call Avon, IN +2.462
6. Kyle Erdmann Coal Valley, IL +2.610
7. Cale Wyse Evansville, WI +9.035
8. Brandon Cather Rock Island,IL +14.707
9. Jason Allen Sugar Grove, IL +15.252
10. Todd Bolton Bowen, IL +15.382
11. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA +15.811