Hemp Doctor becomes major R.I. Grand Prix sponsor
The next Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, will be flying high.
On Thursday, the annual downtown event announced a new national level partnership with The Hemp Doctor, based in Mooresville, N.C., as presenting sponsor of the race, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024.
The Hemp Doctor is a major national manufacturer and distributor of legal hemp/CBD products and Rock Island is The Doctor’s first house call into motorsports, said the Grand Prix release.
“We are excited to be part of this year’s Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix in the Quad-Cities. Our hope is to share knowledge about the hemp industry, while offering products that aim to improve one’s well-being. We look forward to meeting you all,” said Robert Shade, The Hemp Doctor CEO.
The Rock Island race has a history of working with national, regional and local sponsors, most of which have stayed involved for many years.
“The Doctor’s office is in Mooresville, N.C. – the heart of NASCAR and American motorsports,” said Roger Ruthhart of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix. “They understand the draw and I’m sure they have a longstanding history of aiding race fans and keeping drivers on the track with the pain that comes with making the podium. Racers and race fans know that street racing can be a unique, fun and challenging form of motorsports, so we’re glad to have The Doctor in the house.”
All products of The Hemp Doctor are legal in Illinois.
With massive street construction expected in the core of downtown this spring, into summer, Ruthhart said Thursday there may be some impacts to the Grand Prix, but no changes to the course.
“No plans to change race route in terms of what streets we run on. It’s really pretty impossible to do,” he said. “How the track is set up in the streets always varies a little to avoid bad spots…which we expect there will be less of after this project.”
“Our position has been that downtown changes are a good thing. Some portions of the track will be impacted but that is good, too,” Ruthhart said, noting he’s had discussions with Rock Island public works director Mike Bartels about this project for a year and “are convinced the city understands our needs and concerns regarding timing. Hopefully the contractor will too.
“We’re looking forward to showing off the new look to hundreds of racer teams and thousands of spectators,” Ruthhart added.
The Grand Prix typically attracts race teams from coast to coast. There have been drivers from 10 foreign countries and 16 foreign winners, Thursday’s release said. Last year saw more than 17,000 spectators over the two-day event.
For more information, visit the Grand Prix website HERE.
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