Agree, great thread guys.
I can’t help but reflect on who benefits most from karting. It doesn’t take much to conclude it’s the manufacturers, teams, engine builders, traders, etc who really gain. According to the MSA there are about 5,000 kart licence holders. Assuming an average spend per karter of £3,000 per year (conservative estimate?) then the karting industry relieves US of about £15m per year!Do we get real value out of that? No way!
I don’t think there is much that we can do about it though. Most highly competitive sports where there is a “demand” end up driving up the cost. Look at what has happened in top tier football and F1 for two great examples. The difference in karting is that WE, the adults, drive up the costs, not our children. We drive the demand by wanting the best / latest / hottest karting “stuff” - not our kids. We get seduced by the thought of having a faster engine, or the best chassis, or being in a top team.
And guess what? We are stupid enough to fall for it and pay for it. It hurts at first, but then you get used to how much it costs and it’s not so painful the next time you put your hand in your pocket.
Someone has already mentioned that “obsession” takes hold, and I can see that. Maybe someone should start a “Karters Anonymous” association to help us!!
Do our kids see the benefit of all this spend? NO WAY!! I’m sure our children would be just as happy racing less sophisticated and cheaper karts if it was the same for everyone. Unfortunately we adults keep getting drawn by the lure of the shiny fast stuff!!!
Can’t wait for the weekend!!!
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