Quincy Grand Prix History
FEBRUARY 26, 2024
The Quincy Grand Prix of Karting was founded in 1969 by Gus Traeder. This put Quincy on the world karting map during its original 32-year run that ended in 2001. Then between 2018-2019 and 2021-2022, the Grand Prix had four more years of amazing racing! Some of the most exciting and close finishes anyone could see at a karting race.
For many of those years, including the last four races in 2018-2022, the Grand Prix of Karting was held in Quincy's beautiful South Park. Terry Traeder, Gus's son, was excited: “We look forward to our return to this sacred place — where legends are made on the track and traditions are built in our community.”
The Traeder name will arguably always be best known for its connection with developing the sport of karting at the grass-roots level in West-Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri, and Southeast Iowa. The Traeders’ promotion of world-class racing events and the development of TNT Kartways brought national attention to the region.
Terry Traeder said, “There’s something about traditions that bring such comfort to me; the tradition of this race is one that has helped to shape our family. As I watched the racing excitement in years past with my three young grandsons, I was reminded of summers long ago where my children watched as I drove around the track and their grandfather Gus Traeder acted as race director, flagman, and any other job that needed doing.”
“What strikes me most when I talk with people about the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting is that this experience of tradition and memory is not unique to me or my family. This race becomes an opportunity for our entire community to come together to build memories and solidify this tradition of competition and camaraderie.”
On numerous occasions, Gus Traeder said, “This is America’s greatest karting event. To win a race at the Grand Prix was harder than winning a national championship event.”
Jason Traeder, Terry's son, said, “We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us bring back the Quincy Grand Prix which we believe is one of the greatest karting events in the nation. Terry did it to honor his Dad Gus and to give the Quincy community an outstanding event for free. South Park is the most unique track in the world and the Grand Prix had the largest number of spectators of any karting race in history. We had an amazing group of sponsors and the best group of officials we could assemble from around the United States.”
After the 2022 event, the Quincy Grand Prix was canceled. Terry Traeder was sorry to do this but feels that he really left on a high note.
Terry once said, “To win the Grand Prix of Karting requires perseverance, passion, skill, and a bit of luck. These qualities exemplify the life and work of (Gus), who lived every day of his 90 years by never wavering in the face of a challenge and always believing that success would come if you work hard.”
And now, the Grand Prix is back! Local business owner Jeff Scott of Scottie's Fun Spot, a passionate kart racer himself, is bringing the event back to South Park in June 2024. Jeff's children Avery and Riley are also kart racers and will be helping him bring this amazing tradition back to the Quincy community.