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Greater Des Moines Grand Prix

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The Greater Des Moines Grand Prix (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.

Greater Des Moines Grand Prix
LocationDes Moines, Iowa, US
Coordinates41°35′36″N 93°37′24″W / 41.5933°N 93.6232°W / 41.5933; -93.6232
Opened1989
Closed1995
Major eventsFormer:
Trans-Am Series (1989–1992, 1994)
ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series (1994)
Grand Prix Circuit (1989–1992)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.8 mi (2.9 km)
Race lap record1:32.386[1] (United States Scott Sharp, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1990, Trans-Am)
Grand Prix Circuit (1994)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.6 mi (2.6 km)

History

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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.[2] 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.[3] Ultimately the race would be postponed to 1989 after running out of time for preparations.[4] 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.[5]

On November 18, 1988, it was officially announced that the 1989 race would go ahead. The final layout was revealed to be a 1.8-mile (2.9 km) circuit held around the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.[6][7] 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."[8]

For 1993, the layout was straightened at 4th Street and shortened to 1.6 miles (2.6 km).[9] The Sunday Trans-Am race was canceled due to rising river waters as a result of the Great Flood of 1993.[10] 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.[11]

Attendance to the race dropped off significantly from 50,000 on Sunday in 1990 to 40,000 on Sunday in 1991.[12] Due to dwindling attendance and financial trouble, the race for 1995 was cancelled with hopes of a return for 1996.[13][14] On March 30, 1995, the Grand Prix board voted to declare bankruptcy.[15]

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.[16]

Past winners

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Trans-Am

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Season Date Driver Car Laps Race Time Average Speed
(mph)		 Refs
1989 July 9 United States Dorsey Schroeder Ford Mustang 66 1:56:02 61.427 [17]
1990 July 15 United States Tommy Kendall Chevrolet Beretta 69 1:49:11 71.243 [18]
1991 July 15 United States George Robinson Chevrolet Camaro 62 1:44:08 71.44 [19]
1992 July 12 United States Scott Sharp Chevrolet Camaro 50 1:37:46 61.363 [20]
1993 July 11 Race cancelled by Great Flood of 1993
1994 July 4 United States Dorsey Schroeder Ford Mustang 63 1:31:32 66.066 [21]

ARCA

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Season Date Driver Car Laps Race Time Average Speed
(mph)		 Refs
1994 July 3 United States Scott Lagasse Chevrolet Lumina 75 2:14:24 53.571 [22]

References

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  1. ↑ "1990 TRANS-AM BOX SCORES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  2. ↑ Grett, Wayne (June 20, 1987). "D.M. officials take close look at Detroit race". The Des Moines Register. p. 5S. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  3. ↑ Willette, Anne (August 28, 1987). "Racing official suggests flexibility in D.M route". The Des Moines Register. p. 1M. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  4. ↑ Grett, Wayne (October 24, 1987). "Lack of organization and money delays D.M. race". The Des Moines Register. p. 3S. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  5. ↑ Bendixen, Linda (November 9, 1988). "Ankeny votes to help back loan for race". The Des Moines Register. p. 1N. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  6. ↑ Beeman, Perry (November 19, 1988). "They're off! Plans set for 'Grand Prix'". The Des Moines Register. p. 2A. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Des Moines plans grand prix race". The Daily Dispatch. United Press International. November 27, 1988. p. A7. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ Swan, Tony (June 1989). "Des Moines Set To Stage A Street Race". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 166. p. 44. ISSN 0032-4558.
  9. ↑ Schmitz, Tony (June 30, 1994). "Going to the races? What it'll cost you". The Des Moines Register. p. 3GP. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ Olson, Jeff (July 11, 1993). "Des Moines tells Grand Prix to suspend its racing today". The Des Moines Register. pp. 1D, 7D. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  11. ↑ Olson, Jeff (July 14, 1993). "Run off by bad water, they return with good". The Des Moines Register. p. 2S. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sponsor happy despite attendance dip". The Sioux City Journal. Associated Press. July 15, 1991. p. A9. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  13. ↑ Pollock, Jim (November 10, 1994). "Grand Prix races unlikely in '95". The Des Moines Register. p. 1M. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  14. ↑ Williamson, Tammy (April 3, 2026). "Running on empty: The Grand Prix will likely take drastic action to keep the event from stalling". Des Moines Business Record. Vol. 90, no. 46. p. 12. ISSN 1068-6681.
  15. ↑ "Grand Prix's board declares event dead". The Des Moines Register. March 31, 1995. p. 3A. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  16. ↑ Olson, Jeff (July 11, 1993). "Drivers racing through Des Moines to stardom". The Des Moines Register. p. 7D. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  17. ↑ "1989 Ruan Greater Des Moines Grand Prix". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  18. ↑ "1990 Ruan Greater Des Moines Grand Prix". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  19. ↑ "1991 Ruan Greater Des Moines Grand Prix". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  20. ↑ "1992 Ruan Greater Des Moines Grand Prix". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ "1994 Greater Des Moines Grand Prix". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  22. ↑ "1994 Greater Des Moines Ruan Grand Prix". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
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