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

Rock Island Grand Prix announces
rules adjustments for 2012

ROCK ISLAND, ILL. – The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race held Labor Day weekend, has announced several changes in the Supplemental Rules for this year.

Presenting sponsors of the Rock Island Grand Prix are AT&T and Casey’s General Stores.

The Rock Island Prix does not like to make rule changes in mid-season. However from time to time updates are necessary because of error, for the sake of fairness, or to contain racers’ costs.

Several changes were approved recently.

1) The Yamaha Jr. SuperCan weight was changed to 300 lbs.

2) The tire sizes for the Yamaha Jr. SuperCan were changed in the Supplemental Rules. The rule now reads:

Tires: This class will run open tire brands and compounds. Tires 10x4.50-5 or 10x4.60-5  front; 11x6.00-5 or 11.50x6.00-5 rear. This class will qualify and race on the same set of tires. All tires must be the same compound. You may NOT change compound after qualifying or you will be DQ’d. Tires are NOT part of the registration fee and will NOT be available at the track. In the event that a tire becomes unsafe outside of normal race wear, it MAY be replaced WITH PRIOR APPROVAL and supervision of the head tech official/scrutineer. Use of tire warmers is NOT allowed. Absolutely no modifications or tire treatment is allowed. Any competitor disqualified for the use of prep will be immediately disqualified from that class and all remaining classes for that weekend. All results and subsequent penalties are final. There will be no option of having tires tested at a lab.

3) The tire sizes for the Yamaha SuperCan Medium and Heavy classes were changed in the Supplemental Ruler. They now read:

Tires: This class will run open tire brands and compounds. Tires 10x4.50-5 or 10x4.60-5 front; 11x7.10-5 or 11.50x7.10-5 rear. This class will qualify and race on the same set of tires. All tires must be the same compound. You may NOT change compound after qualifying or you will be DQ’d. Tires are NOT part of the registration fee and will NOT be available at the track. In the event that a tire becomes unsafe outside of normal race wear, it MAY be replaced WITH PRIOR APPROVAL and supervision of the head tech official/scrutineer. Use of tire warmers is NOT allowed. Absolutely no modifications or tire treatment is allowed. Any competitor disqualified for the use of prep will be immediately disqualified from that class and all remaining classes for that weekend. All results and subsequent penalties are final. There will be no option of having tires tested at a lab.

4) The following has been added for all shifter competitors (King of Streets & 125 Masters):

Seals: All shifter engines should have one cylinder stud and one head bolt/stud drilled for sealing. Engines that are already sealed will have seal numbers recorded. If engines are damaged and must be worked on, seals can only be removed with prior approval of tech officials. Please have engines drilled before pre-tech to speed process. If engine is not drilled before qualifying time, the entry will be DQ and will start at the back of grid. No exceptions will be allowed.

5) The following has been added for all TAG competitors (TAG Jr., TAG Sr. and TAG Masters, Leopard and Rotax):

Seals: TAG engines should have one reed cage bolt/stud drilled, one cylinder stud and one head bolt/stud drilled for sealing. Engines that are already sealed will have seal numbers recorded. If engines are damaged and must be worked on, seals can only be removed with prior approval of tech officials. Rotax Max seals will be used and will be recorded. Please have engines drilled before pre-tech to speed process. If engine is not drilled before qualifying time, the entry will be DQ and will start at the back of grid. No exceptions will be allowed.

Please be sure you have reviewed the both the Supplemental Rules and the specified rules for your class (Superkarts! USA, TAG USA, etc.) prior to race weekend. Links can be found on the Rock Island Grand Prix website.

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)