Quincy Grand Prix of Karting Returns in 2022
(Photo: Mark Schwigen)
(Photo: Mark Schwigen)
There is nothing more unique and breath-taking than street racing in karting. Over the decades, this form of the sport has become the real true test of driver and machine, pushing the limits of both to claim the checkered flag, in front of true spectators excited to see the action in their hometown. That is the feeling karters will experience once again at ‘The Park’ as the famed Quincy Grand Prix of Karting returns for the 2022 season. Over the June 11-12 weekend, the South Park in Quincy, Illinois becomes a karting festival, featuring two days of competition around the same track where many legends in the sport made a name for themselves.
The history of the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting dates back to 1970 when karting visionary Gus Traeder hosted the first edition of the event. What began as a local and regional event quickly turned into a national phenomenon with the best karters from North America competing annually to claim a victory at The Park. Names like Pruett, Evans, Sellegren, Birdsell, Vetter, Jones, McMurray and Rudolph all claimed a piece of history in Quincy during its original span that lasted until 2001. The race was revived in 2018 by Traeder’s son and all-time winningest driver, Terry Traeder. With a focus on grassroots racers, the event crowned its first winners in 17 years, and introduced the new winning trophy – the Gussie – named after the event founder Gus Traeder.
“My goal is to make the Quincy Grand Prix the best karting event in the country for the drivers and crews,” stated Terry Traeder of the Quincy Grand Prix. “The 1.2-mile track is smooth with special care taken to set the track up for the safety of the drivers and the fans. It is the most beautiful setting you’ll ever race on. Add thousands of spectators and a Formula One atmosphere is what makes this a special event for everyone involved. It’s not a street race, it’s The Park!”
(Photo: Margay Racing / Mark Schwigen)
The 2022 edition of the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting is scheduled for the June 11-12 weekend. Competitors begin moving in on June 10, prior to on-track activities beginning on Saturday. Two warm-up sessions take place that build up into the qualifying sessions. The popular ‘Saturday Sprints’ are special races to give the fans a taste of the racing action to close out the opening day. Sunday features a warm-up and main events. Off the track, there are many activities for the competitors and thousands of fans that line the track in the South Park. The fans, and the unique circuit are what make the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting so special.
The class structure for the 2022 Quincy Grand Prix of Karting includes 14 different classes. The Briggs 206 powerplant is the focus for many of the categories, featuring classes for Medium, Heavy, Masters, and Legends – all based on age and weight. The popular Margay Ignite program visits Quincy for one of their ‘Major’ events of the 2022 season. Senior, Heavy, Masters and Legends round out their class offerings. The FK100 class was introduced in 2021, welcoming Yamaha, KA100, and VL100 engine powerplants competing together. It will be among the four PRO categories, competing for cash purse. Pro Shifter 125, Pro Shifter Open and Pro Briggs are the other three classes that offer a $2,500 purse that pays down to the eighth place. Add in Shifter Masters and Vintage to round out the 2022 class roster for the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting.
Head over to QuincyGrandPrix.com to learn more about the event. Registration is currently open online as well.
