Kudo’s to Jim and Doug for their thoughts and direction on this issue.
Everything thing that they have talked about is the reason that when Rotax came out, we went that direction.
When ICC first came out, we followed that as well, thinking that the class was designed to run stock out of the box. (as we all know that’s not how it turned out)
So I am constantly asked why do I embrace the Easykart program so much………………everything that is being talked about is why.
It’s fast, it’s stock (spec.) and it’s affordable to buy and race.
And frankly, this season running the Easykart series, has been the most affordable, and funnest season we have had yet.
Problem is because it is stock /spec. class. And nobody can make money on them for blueprinting, trick carbs, add-on chassis components, etc. The only people who like them is the racers themselves, the dealers, and the importer. So that’s pretty understandable.
Doug is right about the Spec. Miata class, plus you can run in Solo II which honestly is very fun and VERY cheap to run. (F125 shifter or ES class like a stock RX-7) Our daughter now runs her 86′ RX-7 in Solo II,
Bret sharesthe car with her as a co-driver, they are having a blast doing it.
Back to the orig. subject, YES we need to find a way to keep kart racing affordable, attractive and fun.
Implementation of methods brought up by Jim, Doug and Mitch are a must.
The other piece of the puzzle that must be address is:
Bringing new people into the sport.
If we do not bring new people into this sport it will eventually go away.
All the dealers who market kart product in the state keep trying to split up the same piece of pie every year, when the focus should be on getting more pie. (and actually Brad brought some of this up on a post the other day, glad to see we agree on something, kudo’s Brad)
We all should be attractor’s to the sport.
It sadden’s me when I see the growth in other sports, and the media on other “extreme sports” and no growth in our sport. (i.e. mountain dew games in Denver this year)
Any and all events that present the possiblity of contact with the general public to promote the sport should be sought out.
Examples: Custom Car shows, festivals, the 3G event during winter at the Convention Center, etc.)
Suggestion is, organize a group of kart product dealers & avid racers to seek out these events and organize displays at these events to promote the sport and recruit new racers into the sport.
If you watch motorsports on TV (F-1, Nascar, IRL, CART) it seems that with almost every driver interview, they are bringing up kart racing backgrounds!
(Look at the influx of interest of young girl racers since the media blitz of Danica Patrick)We as a COLLECTIVE group must capitalize on this.
It’s time for us to use the power of STP (see the people)