There will be no go-kart street racing attracting thousands of fans in Rock Island in September. But the racing event could return in 2027.
This year’s Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix – scheduled for Sept. 5-6 – has been cancelled because of economic issues, according to event officials.
“Faced with growing economic issues outside of its control, the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s most prestigious karting street race, has decided to suspend the race for 2026,” according to a news release from XStream Rock Island Grand Prix that was made available on Wednesday, July 15.
This year’s race cancellation was also announced Thursday morning on the Grand Prix’s Facebook page, and on its website.
The event, which has been running for 30 years, has been billed as the world’s largest karting street race. Last year’s Grand Prix event over the Labor Day weekend featured 20 races, food, fun and family entertainment.
“But it has to make sense financially, and this year it just didn’t as the economy made costs skyrocket. We have a great history in Rock Island, but at this time we are looking at everything and will work closely with whatever makes the most sense and is the best financial partnership,” said Roger Ruthhart, the longtime president of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, in the news release.
He added that the go-kart racing event will return next year. In fact, planning has already started for the 2027 event, which has been set for next Sept. 4-5. Event organizers will use the extra time to discuss ways to improve and modernize all aspects of the event, including perhaps moving the race to a new location.
During that extra time for planning the 2027 race, “every aspect of the event will be on the table, including race dates, classes, the schedule, the track, rules, the location, safety, and the entire race weekend tourism experience for racers, spectators and the host community,” said Mr. Ruthhart.
Community and tourism leaders said they are hoping the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix returns next year.
“We respect the difficult decision that was made to suspend the 2026 Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix,” Dave Herrell, president and CEO, Visit Quad Cities, told the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal on Thursday, July 16. “This has been a long-standing tradition activating the streets in downtown Rock Island and welcoming competitors and visitors from around the world to the region. These decisions by event organizers are never easy, but we are looking forward to the future and are hopeful for an even stronger return in 2027. The Rock Island Grand Prix is unique and has built a reputation for delivering a meaningful experience for the race teams.”
The go-kart street racing event has typically attracted as many as 20,000 spectators and more than 100 race teams from many states for the free family-oriented event, according to a Datify study commissioned by Visit Quad Cities.
The race has featured competitive teams from 39 states as well as 11 foreign teams and 14 foreign winners.
The event has attracted spectators from the larger Quad-Cities region. It also brings people in from Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, Chicago, Peoria, Bloomington, Rockford, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Omaha and St. Louis. Last year, fans came from 28 states, according to race organizers.
Grand Prix officials added that racers and spectators are encouraged to send comments, ideas and questions to [email protected]. New partners and their ideas are welcome to the race committee.
Mr. Ruthhart said he hopes those new ideas and partners will bring the race back next year to showcase the Quad Cities.
“We’ve been showing off the Quad-Cities for more than 30 years and people leave town with good things to say. That will also continue to be a high priority,” he added.
