O'Reilly Auto Parts, Kids Racing For Kids are new partners
Rock Island, IL - The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race, is proud to announce that communications giant AT&T will return as a Presenting Sponsor of the race for the 16th year!
They will also be joined by several new sponsors in 2010.
While AT&T has shared the top billing at Rock Island from time to time, no other company has been such a high profile supporter for every year of the race's existence. The long-term support from AT&T has allowed the race to thrive in some years and survive in others, according to RIGP president Roger Ruthhart.
"AT&T's support of this grass roots motor sports event, the city of Rock Island and the Quad-Cities in general has been unsurpassed. Over the many years this support represents almost $150,000 in commitment to the sport of kart racing. We hope racers across the country keep that in mind when they make decisions about communication and internet suppliers and directory advertising," said Ruthhart.
"The Quad-Cities Convention and Visitor's Bureau has estimated that each year the Rock Island Grand Prix has an economic impact of more than $2 million on the local economy. The investment by AT&T's and other sponsors in the Quad-Cities has translated into more than $32 million over the life of the event," Ruthhart added.
"Every year the Rock Island Grand Prix is an exciting event that brings the Quad-Cities community together and even brings racers and tourists from around the world," said Dennis Pauley, director of external affairs for AT&T. "At AT&T we want to connect people to their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else. That's why we are proud to continue our investment in the Quad-Cities as the presenting sponsor of the Rock Island Grand Prix. We look forward to an exciting and enjoyable Rock Island Grand Prix in September."
The Rock Island Grand Prix also has signed a new corporate partnership deal with O'Reilly Auto Parts.
"We are excited to have a dominant national retail and service-oriented company like O'Reilly Auto Parts involved with our event," said Ruthhart. Our racers come from all over the country and whether it is parts for their karts, haulers, trailers or family vehicles, they can rely on the O'Reilly family of auto parts stores to keep their equipment rolling."
"We look forward to working with the O'Reilly stores in the Quad-Cities and surrounding region to help promote their service and product lines," Ruthhart added.
The RIGP is also proud to announce a new partnership with Kids Racing for Kids (KRFK). The foundation was started by Tim Self to benefit children who, unlike his son Austin, were unable to enjoy the thrills of racing. The foundation will sponsor the TAG Junior class at this year's Rock Island Grand Prix.
"We would like to thank Tim Self, Jim Sharkey and Kids Racing for Kids foundation for their support this year. We look forward to helping to educate the karting world and the Quad-Cities about the great work done by this group," said Ruthhart
"I started this foundation not only to give back to children in need, but also to promote positive values in kids that aren't always learned by what they're taught in school," said Self. "I wanted to partner with a racing organization with exposure so we could get attention to the foundation, while bringing exposure to karting in the communities we race in."
Race details are available on the Grand Prix website at rockislandgrandprix.com.
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