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ROCK ISLAND, IL. – The Rock Island Grand Prix has announced an exciting new program designed to spur participation in the event’s 4-cycle Animal classes and boost participation in 4-cycle sprint racing in the U.S.

Drivers who buy, or have recently bought, a new Briggs & Stratton overhead valve Animal racing engine will have their entry fees in the Animal classes waived at this year’s Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race. The race will be held Sept. 4-5. AT&T is the Presenting Sponsor of the Rock Island Grand Prix.

Since the goal is to bring new people into the classes, only drivers who did not participate in 4-cycle classes at the Rock Island Grand Prix in 2008 and 2009 are eligible.

If racers take advantage of the RIGP offer, and put the $200 saved from entry fees toward the purchase of a new Briggs & Stratton Animal engine, the engine’s cost is comparable to less-expensive 4-cycle motors.

At Rock Island, the Animal motor can be run in both the Rumble at The Rock (Animal Medium) race and Animal Heavy. The Rumble at the Rock pays $2,000 to win, Animal Heavy $500 to win, and both classes will pay back 9 places for a field of more than 20 karts.

“The Rock Island Grand Prix wanted to make a statement in support of the durable, well-manufactured, American-made Briggs & Stratton Animal racing engine,” said Rock Island Grand Prix president Roger Ruthhart. “We hope that other races and series will follow our lead and offer concessions that will encourage the growth of Animal classes in U.S. sprint racing. If we all work together, the racers will have a better product, the events will have fuller fields and Briggs & Stratton will be able to continue its long and historic support of karting.”

In order to qualify for waiver of entry fees, racers must have purchased a NEW Briggs & Stratton Animal from a reputable dealer since January 1, 2010. They must provide proof-of-purchase in the form of invoice, receipt, bill-of-sale, or certified statement in writing from the dealer. The waiver applies to the $100 entry fee only. Drivers will still pay practice fee, pit passes, pit spots etc.. If a driver enters only one class, then only $100 is waived.

Race information can be found in the 8-page entry packet which can be downloaded or printed at rockislandgrandprix.com. Drivers can also register online using their credit card. Proof of purchase can be scanned and emailed to grandprix@qconline.com or sent by mail to Rock Island Grand Prix, 1720 Fifth Avenue, Moline, Illinois 61265

In addition, Tyler Schurr and Schurr Power Racing Engines, one of the leading engine-builders in the Midwest, is offering special pricing for blueprinted Animal engines to further support this effort. This could save Animal racers even more money. Other engine builders are also being asked to participate and participants will be listed on the Rock Island Grand Prix web site as they commit.

Schurr Power (www.schurrpower.com) can be reached by email at ty.schurr@schurrpower.com, or by calling (309) 781-9007.

Further information about the Rock Island Grand Prix is available at rockislandgrandprix.com. Questions can be emailed to grandprix@qconline.com or call the Grand Prix Office at (309) 292-8133.

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AT&T is the largest telecommunications company in the United States and one of the largest in the world. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications services to business and the U.S. leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. As part of its "three screen" integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T U-verse TV. With 55.8 million subscribers, AT&T provides international voice services to virtually every country and territory in the world. It is a global company that sets the industry standard for a new era of integrated communications and entertainment services. The AT&T Foundation has contributed more than $1.8 billion to nonprofit organizations around the country, including $60 million in 2006, putting it among the five largest corporate foundations in the United States. (www.att.com)

The Rock Island Grand Prix is hosted by The Downtown Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District which features retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and comedy clubs all within walking distance of the host hotel, as well as the new Jumer’s Casino and Hotel. It is located on the Mississippi River three hours west of Chicago in an area known as the Quad-Cities, which straddles the river and the Illinois/Iowa border. It is at the intersection of Interstate highways 74, 88 and 80 and is served by Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill. (www.ridistrict.com)