Greater Des Moines Grand Prix
Former motor race in Des Moines, Iowa
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| Location | Des Moines, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°35′36″N 93°37′24″W |
| Opened | 8 July 1989 |
| Closed | 4 July 1994 |
| Major events | Former: Trans-Am Series (1989–1992, 1994) SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge (1990–1994) ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series (1994) Atlantic Championship (1991) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1993–1994) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.600 mi (2.575 km) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.295 ( Dorsey Schroeder, Ford Mustang, 1994, Trans-Am) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1989–1992) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.800 mi (2.897 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:32.386 ( Scott Sharp, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1990, Trans-Am) |
The Des Moines Street Circuit (branded as the Ruan Greater Des Moines Grand Prix for sponsorship reasons) was an auto racing event held on a temporary street circuit in Des Moines, Iowa from 1989 to 1994.
History
In 1987, after announcing the intention to host a Trans-Am race in 1988, Des Moines officials travelled to the Detroit Grand Prix to gather information on the financials of the race.[1] Two proposed layouts were introduced: one held in the middle of downtown near the Des Moines Convention Center (now the Wellmark YMCA building) and one held on both sides of the Des Moines River.[2] Ultimately the race would be postponed to 1989 after running out of time for preparations.[3] Nine surrounding suburbs, including Ankeny, voted to approve hotel tax revenues being sent to pay off a $1.2 million loan to secure funding for the race.[4]
On November 18, 1988, it was officially announced that the 1989 race would go ahead. The final layout was revealed to be a 1.800 mi (2.897 km) circuit held around the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.[5][6] Popular Mechanics described the track as "[demanding] more of horsepower and brakes than handling finesse, although there are some significant elevation changes along the way."[7]
For 1993, the layout was straightened at 4th Street and shortened to 1.600 mi (2.575 km).[8] The Sunday Trans-Am race was canceled due to rising river waters as a result of the Great Flood of 1993.[9] Trans-Am driver Ron Fellows started a relief drive at the Molson Indy Toronto the following weekend to help raise funds for those affected by the floods.[10]
Attendance to the race dropped off significantly from 50,000 on Sunday in 1990 to 40,000 on Sunday in 1991.[11] Due to dwindling attendance and financial trouble, the race for 1995 was cancelled with hopes of a return for 1996.[12][13] On March 30, 1995, the Grand Prix board voted to declare bankruptcy.[14]
Notable drivers to have raced the Greater Des Moines Grand Prix include Bill Elliott, Tommy Kendall, Jovy Marcelo, Willy T. Ribbs, Lyn St. James, and Jimmy Vasser.[15]
Lap records
The fastest official race lap records at the Des Moines Street Circuit are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Circuit (1993–1994): 1.600 mi (2.575 km) | ||||
| Trans-Am | 1:20.295[16] | Dorsey Schroeder | Ford Mustang | 1994 Des Moines Trans-Am round |
| Street Circuit (1989–1992): 1.800 mi (2.897 km) | ||||
| Trans-Am | 1:32.386[17] | Scott Sharp | Oldsmobile Cutlass | 1990 Des Moines Trans-Am round |
| Formula Atlantic | 1:34.039[18] | John Tanner | Swift DB4 | 1991 Des Moines Atlantic Championship round |
Past winners
Trans-Am
| Season | Date | Driver | Car | Laps | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) |
Refs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | July 9 | Dorsey Schroeder |
Ford Mustang | 66 | 1:56:02 | 61.427 | [19] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990 | July 15 | Tommy Kendall |
Chevrolet Beretta | 69 | 1:49:11 | 71.243 | [20] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | July 15 | George Robinson |
Chevrolet Camaro | 62 | 1:44:08 | 71.44 | [21] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992 | July 12 | Scott Sharp |
Chevrolet Camaro | 50 | 1:37:46 | 61.363 | [22] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | July 11 | Race cancelled by Great Flood of 1993 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994 | July 4 | Dorsey Schroeder |
Ford Mustang | 63 | 1:31:32 | 66.066 | [23] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ARCA
| Season | Date | Driver | Car | Laps | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) |
Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | July 3 | Scott Lagasse |
Chevrolet Lumina | 75 | 2:14:24 | 53.571 | [24] |
Atlantic Championship
| Season | Date | Driver | Car | Laps | Race Time | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | July 13 | Jimmy Vasser |
Swift DB4 | 30 | 0:55:39.091 | [18] |