For information contact:
Roger Ruthhart (309) 736-3517; grandprix@qconline.com

Rock Island Grand Prix partners with tracks
to offer new Midwest clone series

ROCK ISLAND, ILL. -- The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race held Labor Day weekend, has announced that it is partnering with three Midwest tracks to offer a new Rock Island Grand Prix Clone Series.

The new series will run under RIGP clone rules at three of the country’s top tracks with the final race of the series being the Rock Island Grand Prix presented by AT&T and Casey’s General Stores, Sept. 1-2.

The Clone Medium class will be featured at each event and run at a weight of 360 pounds.

The series will kick off May 19 at 61 Kartway in Delmar, Iowa. It will then move to Midstate Kart Club in Springfield, Ill. on June 16. Then on July 21 the series will race at Michiana Raceway Park in North Liberty, Ind. before wrapping up in Rock Island.

“We tried very hard to avoid conflicts among tracks and with other large clone races in the region,” said Roger Ruthhart, president of the Rock Island Grand Prix. “Clones are a very popular class at the moment, so we saw value in trying to cross-promote between the various venues. We have had a lot of interest among clone racers and also have had interest from other tracks in joining the serious, but wanted to keep things pretty simple and basic.”

The goal of the series is to try and encourage racers from throughout the region to step out of their comfort zone and race at other tracks – to the benefit of the series, the racers and those programs. Participants are allowed one drop and trophies will be awarded at the John Deere Awards Ceremony following the Rock Island Grand Prix. Awards may be made based on turnout for the series.

The 2012 version of clone rules, to be followed by the series, will be posted soon on the Rock Island Grand Prix web site.

For additional details on each weekend, please check the track websites:

www.61kartway.com

www.midstatekartclub.com

www.michianaracewaypark.com

www.rockislandgrandprix.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, putting it among the five largest corporate foundations in the United States. ( HYPERLINK "http://www.att.com" www.att.com)

Casey’s General Stores, with headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa, operates 1,645 stores in 11 Midwestern states. The first store was opened in 1968 by founder Don Lamberti. The majority of the group’s stores are in communities with a population of 5,000 or less. Casey’s success has been attributed to clean stores, restrooms and the friendly employees who pride themselves on customer service. Casey’s customers know that inside each store they will find dedicated, helpful and well-trained employees, exceptional prepared food and a clean environment in which to shop.(www.caseys.com)

The Rock Island Grand Prix is hosted by the Downtown Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District which features retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and comedy clubs all within walking distance of the host hotel. Jumer’s Casino & Hotel is just a short drive away. Rock Island 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. ( HYPERLINK "http://www.ridistrict.com" www.ridistrict.com)