Having attended a number of events/practice sessions in the past 12 months, I�m beginning to wonder whether direct drive karts aren�t a hazard that purely exists today because of its legacy.
Yes I know the purists out there prefer the improved speed and responsiveness of the Direct Drive, but I�m becoming more and more concerned about the level of danger inherent in the format.
We�ve all seen highly capable drivers sat in a stalled kart, either having to jump out and push or pleading for a Marshals help. Both of which result in someone being on the track exposed to the dangers that this involves.
We�ve also all seen Marshals, Fathers or even bystanders nursing a bad back because they tried to lift/push start a kart.
And we�ve all seen Drivers struggling to drag a broken kart off the track, as the push-it option simply doesn�t exist.
We all know the reason things haven't changed is that individual drivers believe they would be disadvantaged by using Non DD engines, but isn�t it time that Karters / Race Formulas / The MSA moved on to Clutched or Touch&Go technology? Or will it take some horrific accident to make it happen?
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