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

Rock Island Grand Prix, Rotax join
to promote popular race program

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, and MAXSpeed, the North American importer for Rotax racing engines, have announced a partnership to promote the growing Rotax Max Challenge program.

The Rock Island Grand Prix, presented by AT&T and Casey’s General Stores, has supported the Rotax program at the popular Labor Day Weekend street race since the package was first introduced. The announcement solidifies that support and commits both groups to helping to promote each other’s programs.

Competitors in the Rotax Senior and TAG Junior classes at this year’s Rock Island Grand Prix, will have the chance to win a free entry to the 2013 U.S. Rotax Grand Nationals and the chance to compete for a coveted spot on Team USA at the Rotax Grand Final. Each package has a $1,000 value.

Participating at the Rock Island Grand Prix will be considered one of the necessary punches needed to qualify for next year’s Grand Nationals. The winning drivers must simply complete three more punches at one of the 27 Rotax Max Challenge series to receive their free entry.

Rotax Challenge rules will be used in the Rotax Senior class at Rock Island. If a TAG Junior driver wins the race with a Rotax motor, he or she will also be eligible for the free entry voucher. Winners at Rock Island will receive $500 checks and the coveted Rock trophy, with payouts through ninth place if there are more than 20 entries in the class.

The Rotax Grand Nationals crown the national Rotax champions for the U.S. and offer a chance to qualify for the Rotax Grand Final. Date and location will be announced soon.

The Rock Island Grand Prix will also be promoting the Rotax program on its web site, social media sites and email lists as well as at shows and other races that its representatives attend.

“We look forward to continuing to develop our relationship with MAXSpeed to help them promote and grow one of the fastest growing kart racing programs in North America,” said Roger Ruthhart, president of the Rock Island Grand Prix. “We are excited to be able to offer these valuable packages to the Rotax drivers at The Rock.”

“The Rock Island Grand Prix has always been recognized as a storied event and Rotax participation has been mixed,” said Garry Lobaugh, Rotax Max Challenge United States Director. “We are creating an incentive program we hope will bring more Rotax competitors to this great event! For some racers, this could be their best chance to become a TEAM USA member. For others, it could just mean yet another venue to race their reliable Rotax race engine.”

The Rock Island Grand Prix will be held Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 1-2, through the city streets of downtown Rock Island, Illinois. It will feature 15 races classes for 2-cycle, 4-cycle and gearbox karts competing for a purse of more than $25,000.

For more information on the Rock Island Grand Prix, visit its web site at rockislandgrandprix.com . For more information on the exciting Rotax Max Challenge visit gorotaxchallenge.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)