Rock island Grand Prix 3 yrs opinion

[mike prokup]

Yes it would be good.


And yes Kyle begs me every year to let him race it!

I like this race but it is different than sprint races. That is where maybe street racers and sprint may be a little different. Kind of like watching the lay down karts at Daytona and going "no way. Kyle.."

[Jeff Salak]

Mike,

I would let Kyle race. He is a very good racer! Both your sons are and you guys spend lots of time and money on this karting thing. Your family is great for the sport.

Im more of a Tag Road racer. I love the speed!
Jeff

[mike prokup]

Every year I say no. When I saw the survey it brought this topic back up. Don't want to be antagonistic.

The clone and 4strokes handle the course well. I just bought a clone to mess with so maybe this year....

I would let him run the street race in a clone.

[Jeff Stamper]

In my opinion what Mike is seeing as dangerous racing is merely "Money Racing" and that is something that they are surely aware of but have never been a real part of. Its a different animal for sure. When you race at a sprint track you can be hurt as badly there as at RIGP or any other kart race. Its a different mindset when I approach the Money Races and its not for everyone. I hope they join us this year for the RIGP because that is definatley on my list of races along with the CES Series and Goodland for now. I will start the season out at NCMP in March for a Money Event also. SO for now it looks like 8 races. That should be enough. I loved the race at RIGP last season and I took the survey also. I do not think its the same in a parking lot unless you are able to make the same size track in the same configuration. The track is rough and I dreaded going there but after competing, I realize that that is one of the major factors on what makes it the "RIGP" See ya there in Sept boys !
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Racing is a State of Mind ! ... A very nice state to be in !

[mike prokup]

Here is a thought...

Make the big money race the one with the most entries...clone entries would be very big. Tight races at good speeds for the track.

[Jim McMahon]

I think Mike's point is that he believes that many other feel the same as he does regarding safety. ie many people opt out due to this.
I'm not sure I agree, but that's subjective rather than objective.

My gut feeling is that people opt out because course is unforgiving. Specifically it's easy to bend/break chassis parts and you don't get a lot of track time to get acclimated. It's not for everyone. Moving it to a parking lot would not change either of these two factors significantly IMO.

I loved it and if I can afford it I will be back.
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[Jeff Salak]

I grew up in the 70's. I made it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyAGE8Y7ojc

I think most racers walk away from the RIGP with a smile.
It isnt kind on parts chassis ect.
Not sure if most race for the thought of winning first prize money. I think its more about racing some of the better comp on a unique street course.

Why people dont race is safety and fear of getting hurt. Breaking a 5K chassis is also on racers minds. At least mine when I race!

[John Matthews]

When we were actively running back in Arizona I always heard about the Rock from Mike and Linda Beard at Kart Parts Unlimited. I've been working on a new business now that I'm in Michigan and as soon as I can I'll be making the trip down to run there myself in LO206. If things go really well I'll bring my hotshot driver and run open class with a Time Machine....

I think street races are cool and if we had more of them maybe our sport would grow faster. Most people aren't going to go hours out of town, down a dusty road to spend a day watching "some kids playing with karts" but if it's in their town, or just a few towns away they might come out and watch. Now that we finally have some affordable beginner classes they might even get their kids started in kart racing

Of course I am one of those reckless folks that grew up in the 70's. Back then there were consequences for doing stupid things so you learned not to do them pretty quick. We didn't have plastic sidepods or bumpers on our karts so drivers learned about open wheel racing and how to pass clean, I don't think there were any more injuries back then either. I know I had a great time racing a parking lot event the same week as the Long Beach Grand Prix in '78 (the last year an American won the F1 championship BTW), but I definitely would have rather run the street course

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Mark Erpelding]

I have raced the Elkart GP. a few times and the RIGP. I can tell you there is an element of excitement when the crowd gathers at street races. Unlike track racing. At track racing if someone is watching it is prolly parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents ect. At street races many townspeople come out to see what all of the excitement is all about. I think it helps to bring our spoort to the masses and helps grow it. How many ppl come to watch with thier children and get bit by the karting bug? I think street racing is an important venue to the growth of our sport. We just need to get it televised to help it even grow more. It might help us get it an X games event. My son has raced it also. He looks forward to racing it again. He never got hurt street racing and has only got hurt once in 10 years and that was on a track. We just have to make sure we can do everything possible to make it as safe as possible.. Do you want to keep our sport in the closet forever? It is the best kept secret in racing!
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[Keith Bridgeman]

I think the Rock is a pretty safe street race.

I was surprised by the numbers in King of the Streets and TAG senior and even Masters. Not sure where those guys are going. They need to get those back up in the 30 range.
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Merlin / Maxter KZ

[Eric Chappell]

I've raced the rock many times. I think 'safe' is a relative term when racing...and think that the RIGP is just as safe as driving with competitive drivers at any other track.

I've bent chassis, had people drive up my back, and been up and over barriers while racing - NONE of which have ever happened at my many years of racing at the ROCK. Heck, my dad's been through a chain link fence after narrowly missing a tree at a PERMANENT track that parents think is the best thing in the world for kid to race!

I'm always puzzled by the low entry count when the replays are safety related? What can be done to shake that stigma from this race?
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[Rich Eisgruber]

[Jeff Stamper]

After giving it some thought yesterday I realized that M Prokup was doing exactly what the officials from the RIGP are wanting us to do. They put out a survey asking us what we would change. He posted what he thought. I raced last year for the first time and raced in the 206 class. It was fun and I will do it again. I think this year I will race Clone and 206. But the point is simply this.
1. Where has everyone gone ?
2. How do we get others to try it ?
3. How do we keep the interest in a fading race ?

Now please dont get me wrong, I am not saying its dead and it sucked or anything of the sort. But lets face it, I was at the drivers meeting last year (in the rain) and I heard him say very clearly, "If things dont change, we will be done" If you didnt hear that, you were not paying attention ! (But whats new at a drivers meeting)
Anyway, what I am getting at is that some changes definatley need to take place. M Prokup was just making a suggestion. Please dont beat the guy up over a suggestion. A very smart man once told me that history is littered with companies and people who were not willing to change ! I dont totally agree with the Parking lot race, but how about a different street location ? (Just an idea) Guys I loved racing there and I understand his concerns for safety, they are his children and he pays the bills ! I saw a few wrecks last year that scared the hell out of me and I have been involved in many over my racing years. I do like the thought of the largest class being the showcase every year ! That way it could be a different class on occasion ! I love the speed and excitement of the shifters, but is was rather boring watching a handful of guys race in that "King of The Streets" last time. I know there was some great racing, but we need more karts somehow ! Mike was just throwing out an idea and his concerns and we need you to do the same ! Lets keep the Rock Alive ! After all, even if you dont agree with him, how many other fathers, mother and so on have the same feelings and wont let their kids race ?

Also keep in mind, most of us who raced will be back, but how do we get those who have not tried it to come out ? Its up to the racers to help in this
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Racing is a State of Mind ! ... A very nice state to be in !

[Jeff Salak]

Jeff,

I wasnt trying to beat Mike up with my comments. But no one has R.I.P. at this race. This comment alone can kill a race!

99% walk away after crashes. Everyone who puts down this race with the crash comments act like everyone leaves in a body bag, a coma, or crippled after a crash. Far from the truth as most dont even get in an ambulance. Its freaking kart racing on a street. Yes it can be dangerous going 90mph into blind corners!

If you moved the RIGP from its location. It will NEVER be the RIGP again!
It will be another event in a parking lot. Would I come, most likely to have fun and race.

For your questions.
1. Economy has killed this sport last few years. If they wreck and ruin chassis. Lack of money to purchase another chassis. So they just stay away from this event thinking this track is harder than most on equipment.

2. Stop all the negative talk about the event in general.

3. Leave the track in the same area. Change the streets the race in on. Race the other direction. Guess what Im saying is change the configuration somehow. This of course would be more up to the city to allow this.

Could temp curbing like the Supernats had be installed? Might open the view for the racers and make for better safety!

I wonder where all the Tag Masters have gone. Its an open book.

[Brian McHattie]