The first Quincy Grand Prix through the streets of South Park graced our town in 1970. It was brought to us by kart racing pioneer and promoter, Gus Traeder. It flourished into something more spectacular than most of us know, even today. After a long pause, from 2002-2018, Gus’ son and fellow Karting Hall of Famer Terry Traeder, brought it back to life. In 2022, Traeder announced that he was stepping away from the Grand Prix. Fortunately, Quincy businessman Jeff Scott took to the starting line and waved the green flag. One of the most popular and famous events in the sport of kart racing is back!
Jeff pointed out that the chatter among social media users ramped up his drive to get the races to continue. The racing community had been saddened at the news that Quincy was waving the checkered flag and that races would be no more.
“It was the same disappointment for me. Being a Quincy native, I went to the races as a kid. I raced it when I was 18-19, got the feel of the park and how amazing that track was to race. Later in years, I brought my kids in. Before, I was just a racer. It’s just in the blood. I’m going to miss driving a lot this year because I’m going to be super busy. We ran the quarter mile dirt track for 30 years or so, concerts, monster trucks, so I had the background of promoting events. I wanted to add a little bit more to the weekend too.”
This year we saw an exhibition with 125cc motorcycles, a cornhole tournament featuring a cash prizes, a live band, driver awards with more interaction with the spectators, adult power wheels for audience participation, bounce houses for the little ones, and the race kart pit areas were open to the public without the requirement of a wrist band.
Drivers from both sides of the country, and in between, were excited to hear that the Quincy Grand Prix would continue. This year even brought Italian driver, Fabio Marangon, to our community. Fabio is a journalist for Vroom International Magazine. He doesn’t just write about karters. He is one. Scott states that Fabio was highly disappointed that he had not been able to make the Quincy Grand Prix in the past, but was overjoyed when the opportunity resurfaced.
This year’s Quincy Grand Prix brought a plethora of karting celebrities including World Karting Association Hall of Fame driver Rick Fulks, driver and 3rd generation owner of Margay Racing LLC out of St. Louis, Keith Freber, Ignite Senior Driver and 4-time Gussie winner, Jeff Dolion, and Scott Evans from Iowa who is tied with Terry Traeder for the most wins at Quincy Grand Prix.
Twenty-two-year-old Quincy driver, Avery Scott, brings quite a bit of excitement from young spectators. “Wow, there’s a girl racer!” Scott was one of four female drivers this year. Avery shared some advice for young girls who think this sport is just for the boys. “Learn how to get over your fears. That’s not just getting up and doing what you’re afraid of.” When I asked Avery what she hoped for her weekend? Her eyes lit up as she stated, “My dream for karting is to win THIS race. It’s on the top of my bucket list for right now.” Avery shared the track with her brother
Riley. A little bit of sibling competition can be trying for some, but the young Scott drivers are always working together to see that the other succeeds as well.
Speaking with several drivers there was a consistent theme: Accolades for Quincy supporters, the track, our restaurants, and much more.
Iowa native, and South Park racing veteran Scott Evans shared, “I started racing in Iowa on the dirt tracks. Quincy was the first asphalt track I ever raced. I had never seen an asphalt track in my life, and it scared the hell out of me. It is 100% the largest kart race by way of spectators in the country. We love coming to Quincy. We love the restaurants; we love the people.
Everywhere we go, the town is excited about it. The other places are not like that.”
Jeff Dolian, who first raced in Quincy when he was 13 shared, “I always tell people that it is the most incredible track I have ever raced on. You would think it was purpose built to be a kart track and they put a park around it. I love the topography. I love going in and out of the shade from the trees. I love the fans that come out and watch. I encourage everyone to come to this park to watch the race. There is not a larger spectator karting event in the country. Even the Grand Nationals in Las Vegas, the locals don’t come out to watch. It’s just the karters and the families. It’s an awesome experience here. I’m a Formula One fan so Quincy is the Monaco Grand Prix for me. To be able to come and run here is truly an honor.”
Keith Freber, who most in the sport agree has single-handedly reinvigorated kart racing in the US with his advent of the Margay Ignite kart / engine package, and racing classes, offered these comments. “I first raced here in 1984 at 16 years old. I’ve made every one since. All drivers started in karting. There are drivers in Nascar that started here and won here! Quincy is like a second home to me. Without a doubt, Quincy is by far the most welcoming town that we race in all year. We’re so thankful for everything that the Traeder family, Jeff Scott and his crew have brought to us for 60 years. This is our Indy 500. This is our Monoco Grand Prix. To race in front of the crowd here and in this environment, for our drivers, this is the big time for us.”
We, as the general public, see the Quincy Grand Prix as a way to get the family out and enjoy some quality outdoor time for adults and our kiddos. We enjoy the stunning beauty of historic South Park, stretch out, relax, grab some lunch from the food trucks, listen to the roar of the karts as they whiz by, and just savor the day.
To the drivers and their families, it brings so much more.
We have the best natural kart race track, the largest crowd, and the most welcoming community in the nation. We are their “big deal.” Famous racecar drivers that we all watch started in karting. Scott Pruett, one of America’s most decorated sports car competitors, raced and won here. Jeff Gordon came to Quincy as a child to watch the Quincy Grand Prix. Indy Car driver Mark Dismore raced in the Park. I am sure that if we explore deeper, we will find an abundance of big names that started here.
What can we look forward to? Scott hopes to have an online feed next year. With fourteen corners, that would be a huge undertaking, but the hope is there, and the research has started. The dream is to make each year top the last by way of drivers and spectators. In 2025, lets bring the masses. During the Quincy Grand Prix’s of the 70’s and 80’s, it was not unusual for the South Park to be packed with more than 15,000 spectators! And keep an eye on the drivers. One day, you’ll be able to say, “I was there when he/she first started, and I got a selfie.”
Story submitted by Lisa Freed
