Nearly two hundred race kart drivers will flock to Rock Island this weekend to compete in what organizers say is the country's largest street karting race.
Participants will travel up to 80 miles per hour in 17 different races in the downtown district.
Organizer Roger Ruthhart says the Rock Island Grand Prix will draw people from coast-to-coast in the U.S., as well as from Canada and Bermuda.
"There's really no home field advantage. everybody just sort of shows up and gets a couple of practice rounds in and goes racing. It's on the motor sports map--you can talk to anyone in Nascar, or Indycar, or some of the other forms of motor sports and they'll tell you they know about Rock Island because of the Grand Prix."
Streets in downtown Rock Island will be blocked off for the free event -- from 17th to 20th Street, and 1st to 5th Avenue -- on Saturday and Sunday.
The races will also be viewable via live stream for the first time this year.