Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo
Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with...

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

The ROK Cup Italy continues its seasonal journey with the second round held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV). Almost 200 are the attendants in the seven categories competing, in a...
IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition
IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in...

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

Since its creation in 2010, the IPK factory has rapidly established itself as one of the leading companies in the global karting market, thanks to its innovative technology and the quality of the...
Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne
Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as...

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Young Queenslander, Cooper Folley has stunned the field in his first KA2 Junior round at the opening SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol event sweeping to the win at the...
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Great weekend for Kalì Kart colours at the 36th Margutti Trophy that took place this weekend in Lonato. In the OK Junior category, Ilia Berezkin dominated the OK Junior by winning all 3 qualifying...
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in...

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion Moritz Ebner is set to make his Australian debut at the opening round of the 2025 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol in Melbourne next weekend (March 28-30).
Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne
Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in...

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Melbourne’s Grand Prix week started off with a bang with the Stars of Karting Event at Port Melbourne’s Todd Road facility on Monday. The short and sharp format saw qualifying followed up...
Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit
Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double...

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

The first event of the 2025 ProKart Challenge program was held on the February 28-March 2 weekend at the new K1 Circuit. The Winchester, California facility welcomed the Superkarts! USA regional...
Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy
Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025...

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Karting Australia is proud to announce that Annabel Kennedy (Brisbane, QLD) and Hamish Campbell (Gold Coast, QLD) have been selected to represent the nation in the 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy...
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing...

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

With a very busy Road Racing Calendar and events so close to each other throughout the year, racers have expressed their concerns that some events are simply not feasible to attend.  Responding...
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury...

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

Karting Australia can confirm that the 2025 Rotax National Cup will be hosted at Albury Wodonga Kart Racing Club on September 13-14.
Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne
Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1...

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

More than 100 of Australia’s top kart racers will take centre stage at the Go-Kart Club of Victoria on Monday, March 10, as the Stars of Karting event launches "Race Week" for the...
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the...

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

Fresh off a record setting campaign in Florida, the Superkarts! USA organization is turning its focus on the 2025 SKUSA Pro Tour. Set for its 16th straight season, the championship will again be...
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the...

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Back in 1978, The Blues Brothers took the world by storm with a skit on Saturday Night Live. A movie followed in 1980, then a sequel and some albums as Dan Aykroyd (Elwood) and John Belushi (Joliet...
Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025
Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed...

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025

In the last few days, Kalì Kart has confirmed the extension of the agreement with the three Zvarich brothers also for the 2025 season. Max, Marat and Mark, therefore, after the first contact with...
Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing programme: 16 drivers, multiple disciplines, one mission
Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing programme: 16 drivers, multiple disciplines, one mission

Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing...

Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing programme: 16 drivers, multiple disciplines, one mission

Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing programme: 16 drivers, multiple disciplines, one mission

Iron Dames, the trailblazing all-female racing project, proudly announces its expanded 2025 programme, featuring an unprecedented line-up of 16 drivers competing across the globe. This milestone marks...
Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule
Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule

Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets...

Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule

Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule

The 21st edition of the Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge is projected to be one of the best seasons in the last decade. The organization’s flagship regional program is set to contest six rounds...
ROK Cup 2025 Regulations
ROK Cup 2025 Regulations

ROK Cup 2025 Regulations

ROK Cup 2025 Regulations

ROK Cup 2025 Regulations

The new regulations for the ROK Cup 2025 have been approved by ACI SPORT. Below you can find all the information and updates regarding the main changes introduced for the new season.
24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry list becomes increasingly international
24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry list becomes increasingly international

24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry...

24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry list becomes increasingly international

24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry list becomes increasingly international

Registration of the teams coming from all over the world for the 24 Hours Karting of Italy, the reference Rental kart event among international endurance races, scheduled for next March 1-2 on the...
Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global Driver Development Program
Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global Driver Development Program

Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global...

Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global Driver Development Program

Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global Driver Development Program

Andretti Global and Gainbridge announced today that Zayne Burgess, 8, will join their ambitious Driver Development program designed to support young talents with the aim of leading them to pinnacle...
Happy Holidays! The crew of KartXpress.com wishes you a healthy and successful 2025!
Happy Holidays! The crew of KartXpress.com wishes you a healthy and successful 2025!

Happy Holidays! The crew of...

Happy Holidays! The crew of KartXpress.com wishes you a healthy and successful 2025!

Happy Holidays! The crew of KartXpress.com wishes you a healthy and successful 2025!

Happy Holidays! The crew of KartXpress.com wishes you a healthy and successful 2025!

Rotax British Kart classes ready for 2021 season

Rotax British Kart classes ready for 2021 season Read more

Motorsport UK, organisers of the British Kart Championships and JAG engineering, the UK distributer for Rotax, have today announced the calendar for 2021. The schedule has been designed to meet preferences indicated from recent surveys among the Rotax drivers and takes into account the current COVID-19 restrictions.

EMR Rotax and Karting South Africa - note on joining WOMZA

EMR Rotax and Karting South Africa - note on joining WOMZA Read more

There is an incredible amount of excitement and naturally some uncertainty since our announcement to join WOMZA. We feel that some perspective at this point will assist karters, teams, clubs etc to get a clearer picture of what is happening and why.

ROK Cup 2021 calendar updates

ROK Cup 2021 calendar updates Read more

The begging of ROK Cup 2021 season has been delayed of a week. The first race regarding ROK Cup Italia 2021 will no more be held on 21st of March at South Garda Karting in Lonato rather it shifts on 28th of March at the Franciacorta Karting track.

BRP Rotax not only successful in karting, also in Dakar

BRP Rotax not only successful in karting, also in Dakar Read more

Four. Wins. In a row. BRP and its Can-Am Off-Road vehicles just scored their fourth consecutive Dakar Rally victory (2018–2021), sweeping the top 11 places. Together, Maverick X3 racers completed more than 114,024 miles (183,504 km) of extreme off-road racing during this years’ rally, achieving another historic performance.

Alpha Karting keeps developing and strengthens its goals for 2021

Alpha Karting keeps developing and strengthens its goals for 2021 Read more

Strengthened by its experience and partnerships established in 2020 with successful and renowned teams, the Alpha Karting brand keeps growing through the integration of new partners including KPR in Ile de France. 2021 will be a turning point for the Alpha Karting brand which also centralizes its logistics services in Nantes. This move goes with ensuring continuity in the services and support provided to its customers.

Rotax South Africa: A new dawn for Karting

Rotax South Africa: A new dawn for Karting Read more

It is with great excitement that we announce a new dawn for karting - Karting SA  (sanctioned by World of Motorsport South Africa - WOMZA). For far too long, the Rotax Max Challenge Series has been subjected to unpopular regulations and changes by MSA and its appointees which often are not even involved in karting at all. We are therefore creating a dedicated karting regulating body that listens to karters, clubs, promoters, circuits, etc. when making decisions.

CRG extends the agreement with Rasmus Joutsimies for 2021

CRG extends the agreement with Rasmus Joutsimies for 2021 Read more

CRG is pleased to announce the renewal of the contract for the 2021 season with the OK driver Rasmus Joutsimies. The Finnish driver did an excellent job in 2020 with the official team, culminating with the 8th place at the FIA ​​World Championship and CRG management decided to extend the collaboration also for the 2021 season to give continuity to a work that is going on in the right direction.

Botho G. Wagner has passed away at the age of 85

Botho G. Wagner has passed away at the age of 85 Read more

Botho G. Wagner, the man on the left in the photo above, has passed away on 3rd January 2021 at the age of 85. He had been a karting enthusiast from the very beginning and a true “primary rock” of the discipline in his country. Notably, he had participated as a driver in the first race organised in Germany, on 24 April 1960 in Wiesbaden.

NGM Motorsport moves to CRG

NGM Motorsport moves to CRG Read more

CRG is pleased to announce a new important technical collaboration agreement with the NGM Motorsport team, which from the 2021 season will use CRG technical material in all categories and championships in which the team will take part. In particular, the collaboration with CRG will be very close for the KZ2 category, in which the Venetian team will line up three drivers of undisputed value: Giacomo Pollini, Natalia Balbo and Leonardo Bizzotto. NGM Motorsport is a very important reality in the field of national and international karting and boasts in its palmares various Italian titles and two prestigious placings in FIA events: 3rd place in the KZ2 World Cup last year and 2nd place in the European Championship 2018.

WKA Celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2021

WKA Celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2021 Read more

As the sport of karting ages, more milestones come up on the calendar each year.  One prominent achievement is the Golden Anniversary of the World Karting Association.  Established in 1971, the WKA will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2021.  To celebrate and bring recognition to the plateau, WKA has officially launched the 50th Anniversary Logo, which will brand the organization throughout its Golden Anniversary year.

Where is Rok Cup running in 2021?

Where is Rok Cup running in 2021? Read more

The calendar is ready now and we are glad to announce where and when the Rok Cup will be run in 2021. The calendar includes 7 Rok Cup Italia races, in which all categories will be present, and three races of the Campionato Italiano ACI-Rok for Rok Senior and Rok Junior alongside the Mini Rok class with a dedicated trophy.

CRG confirms the 24 Hours Karting of Italy in Adria

CRG confirms the 24 Hours Karting of Italy in Adria Read more

CRG and Adria Raceway have extended their partnership for the organization of one of the most successful Kart Endurance events: the 24 Hours Karting of Italy. After three editions held on the Adria track, which had a great success in terms of organization and participation of teams, also in 2021, the event will be held on the Venetian track on the weekend of 13th and 14th of March.

Glenn Keyaert leaves CRG

Glenn Keyaert leaves CRG Read more

At the end of the year, the team manager of the CRG Racing Team, Glenn Keyaert, will leave the Italian company. This is a professional choice of the Belgian technician who, after 9 years in CRG, decided to undertake a new work experience in a different company of the karting sector.

Robert de Haan and Maurice Henry win 2021 Ginetta Junior Scholarship

Robert de Haan and Maurice Henry win 2021 Ginetta Junior Scholarship Read more

Robert de Haan and Maurice Henry have been crowned joint-winners of the 2021 Ginetta Junior Scholarship, the first time in the event’s history that two drivers have emerged with the prize of a fully-funded season in the championship.

Alex Irlando signs with CRG

Alex Irlando signs with CRG Read more

CRG has made official the first piece of its drivers’ line-up for 2021 by announcing Alex Irlando for the KZ category. The agreement with the Apulian driver is part of a large project to strengthen its Racing Team, which CRG is undertaking especially for the KZ categories.

Livetiming: 25th "Ayrton Senna" Trophy at Sarno, Naples International Circuit

Livetiming: 25th "Ayrton Senna" Trophy at Sarno, Naples International Circuit Read more

The 'Ayrton Senna' trophy with the 2020 edition reaches the milestone of twenty-five consecutive editions through the collaboration of the main manufacturers: Otk (TonyKart / Vortex), IPK (Prague / FormulaK), CRG and BirelArt, which together with the Naples International Circuit have set up a nice karting program.

Results: 25th "Ayrton Senna" Trophy at Sarno, Naples International Circuit

Results: 25th "Ayrton Senna" Trophy at Sarno, Naples International Circuit Read more

The 'Ayrton Senna' trophy with the 2020 edition reaches the milestone of twenty-five consecutive editions through the collaboration of the main manufacturers: Otk (TonyKart / Vortex), IPK (Prague / FormulaK), CRG and BirelArt, which together with the Naples International Circuit have set up a nice karting program.

New date and venue confirmed for British Kart Championships finale

New date and venue confirmed for British Kart Championships finale Read more

The 2020 Motorsport UK British Kart Championships (BKC) season will be concluded in December, as the final round of Honda and Rotax classes will be played out at Whilton Mill in Northamptonshire on 19/20 December.

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Who will grab the headlines at the 24th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom?
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: International

Who will grab the headlines at the 24th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom?

In 2015 Tony Neilson, from nearby Delmar, Iowa, won 6 races at “The Rock.” In 2016, Cal Stewart from Concord, NC, who works in the shop for Hendrick Motorsports, took home five victories. Last year each driver added three more coveted Rocks to their collection.

But there are always other drivers to watch. For instance, last year Texan Austin Wilkins also won twice, claiming the King of the Streets and 125cc Open Shifter 2 races. All 3 and many more are back to try to claim a championship this year.

"To be able to win at a race where big names never won at is just awesome to think about," Wilkins said, pointing to IndyCar standouts Graham Rahal and Connor Daly, who each failed to win during visits to Rock Island.

"It's a dream what happened to me in 2015. But today is a dream, too, coming out of here winning three races,” Neilson told The Dispatch-Rock Island Argus newspaper after last year’s races. “Holy cow. Winning once here is special when you're racing against the guys I'm racing with.”

“This just shows how strong the talent level of karting is in this event and in this town. People should recognize that because nothing is easy out there.''

Will one of these racers dominate? Or will some up-and-coming karter be the next to capture the headlines? It’s entirely possible as entries continue to climb back from recession period lows. Last year entries cracked the 300 level (311) for the first time since the economic downturn hit karting in 2007. The largest number of entries at Rock Island was 411 in 2005. General admission to the races is free with a $10 daily charge for pit passes.

“We’ve already seen the number of drivers steadily growing back to our pre-2008 levels over the last few years, but I’m sure the naming rights partnership with Mediacom, now in its third year, and the exposure it has provided has helped too,” said Roger Ruthhart, president of the Grand Prix organization.

This year’s Grand Prix offers 17 feature races Sunday, Sept. 2. Practice and heat races fill the racing schedule on Saturday, Sept. 1. Sunday’s schedule also features a 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle Speed Challenge at 9:30 a.m. where karts not legal in the day’s race classes will attempt to break the track’s lap speed record.

Margay’s twin x30 was built for and appeared on the TV show Speed is the New Black on the Velocity channel.  Besides the twin 175cc 2-cycle kart, the event will also feature Schurr Power Engineering’s 420cc open Honda 4 stroke. Both will be trying to unofficially beat the track’s fast lap speed record  31.084 set in 2016 by Texan Austin Wilkins in his shifter kart.

There will continue to be other attractions offered during the race day and into the evening. This year’s Sunday Car Show is expanding to include 50 cars from the Quad City Camaro Club, QC Cruisers, QC Gearheads and QC Mustang Club on 18th Street near WHBF TV, as well as a variety of food vendors.

The world’s largest karting street race already has a home in the racing history books but each year it adds to its storied tradition. This year for the first time the Rock Island race is the final event in the Triple Crown of Karting with competitors previously gathering points for finishes at the Grand Prix of Quincy, the Battle of the Brickyard in Indianapolis and the Thor Industries Elkhart Grand Prix in Indiana. Series winners will be honored at Rock Island’s Sunday Awards Ceremony with trophies and North American street racing bragging rights.

Once again this year Sunday racing will kick off with the Travis DeVriendt Memorial Race for Briggs & Stratton 206 Heavy competitors. The biggest race of the day each year helps to draw attention to suicide awareness after the untimely death of former the former Rock Island champion and Quad-Citian.

Last year’s race drew more than 40 entries forcing race organizers to commit to putting last chance qualifying races back in the schedule for any race with more than 40 entries this year.

Ruthhart said. “Racers love it because it’s an out-of-the-box engine with no way to modify it, so it really levels the playing field competitively.

“And now, Margay has gone one step farther with the Ignite package. For $4,000, you get everything you need to race — engine, chassis, tires — and that’s bringing a lot of new people into the sport.” As a result the Grand Prix is offering a full package of Ignite classes for Senior, Junior and Masters.

It will also feature the 19th running of the King of the Streets shifter kart race, showcase a wide range of vintage karts as well as a number of 2-cycle and 4-cycle powered race classes. For more about the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom please visit rockislandgrandprix.com.

Sponsors for this year’s event include: Mediacom, Jumer’s Casino & Hotel, Hoosier Tires, LeCont Tires, AT&T, Gett Industries, Briggs & Stratton Racing, Modern Woodman Financial/ Joe Schurr agent, CBS TV4 / Fox 18 and CW, Schurr Power Racing Engines, Sunbelt Rentals, AMT Ambulance, Johannes Bus Service, The Dispatch-Rock Island Argus-QC Online.com, Modern Woodman Bank, Holiday Inn Rock Island, eKartingnews.com, Margay Racing, Courtesy Car City, Gas & Electric Credit Union, Rogan Scale, J&J Camper Sales, 61 Kartway, Triple E Sales, Curry’s Transportation, Miller Trucking and Excavating, Meier Trucking, Brenny’s Motorcycle Center and the local radio stations Q106, Fox Sports QC, WOC and WLLR.

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom

 

2018 race weekend schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31

2-10 p.m.: Competitor sign-in open at Holiday Inn, Rock Island.

2-5 p.m.: Pre-race tech/scrutineering open at the off-site staging area, Jumer’s Casino & Hotel.

5 p.m.: Streets close in The District of Rock Island.

6-11 p.m.: Pits open.

6-9 p.m.: Pre-race tech/scrutineering, fuel testing open on the pre-grid.

8 p.m.: Outdoor music on the East Plaza Stage sponsored by the Rock Island Brewing Company. Admission charged.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1

7 a.m.: Pits open.

7-9 a.m.: Driver sign-in open at Holiday Inn, Rock Island.

7 a.m.: Pre-race tech/scrutineering for overnight arrivals only.

7:15 a.m.: Mandatory Driver’s Meeting in front of the Argus building.

8 a.m.-1 p.m.: Two practice rounds. Five-minute sessions. Crossing breaks every four rounds.

10 a.m.: Grand Prix Marketplace vendors open.

1-5 p.m.: Heat races.

5 p.m.: Track closes at conclusion of racing.

8 p.m.: Outdoor music on the East Plaza Stage sponsored by the Daiquiri Factory & Rock Island Brewing Company. All ages show. Admission charged.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2

8 a.m.: Final practice round begins.

10 a.m.: Grand Prix Marketplace vendors open.

10:45 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies.

11 a.m.: Kid’s Autograph Session. Start/Finish line.

11:15 a.m.: Racing begins.

5 p.m.: Racing ends.

7 p.m.: Xtream Mediacom Awards Ceremony, Holiday Inn, Rock Island.

8 p.m.: Outdoor music on the East Plaza Stage sponsored by the Rock Island Brewing Company. Ages 18 +. Admission charged.

MONDAY, SEPT. 4

9:30 a.m.: Annual Rock Island Labor Day Parade. 18th Avenue and 24th Street.

Note:  All times tentative and subject to change.

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