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Greg, we’ve talked about this in pieces over the past year and it’s a huge concern. There were zero rookie drivers in Rotax Masters or Senior at the Track this year. If that doesn’t raise red flags with track operators throughout the state then we’re in trouble. We need new bodies desperately.
This year marked 2 1/2 years of me being involved in karting and I remember being frustrated early because there is really no source that outlines the very basics such as safety equipment requirements, general kart tech requirements, what the basic types of karts are and lastly what are the driver requirements to be able to race. I’m probably more persistent than most so I kept researching but could see where someone who was doing basic research would throw in the towel pretty early on. It’s overwhelming. Without the presence of an adult Colorado Karting club, this issue is going to live and die with all of the tracks, including the rental tracks and how it’s marketed. There desperately needs to be marketing information available at any track to market competition karting to the thousands of people that come and drive rentals each year. If you get even 5% to make it to the track with their own kart, that’s 5% more than what we had this year. Maybe part of that marketing includes making available an arrive and drive rental with support for a cost that is appropriate but not unreasonable. Lastly, there needs to be a visible race within Denver that will attract the casual observer, whether that’s Pepsi Center or Mile High or some other venue through one of the local tracks or SKUSA, it needs to happen.
I’ve been following this thread for awhile and being somewhat new to the karting scene I’m glad I’ve missed out on the drama…..
With that said, Lee is correct in that the racers need to take matters into their own hands at this point because the track owners are not going to collectively put together a statewide series for the racers. Realistically, why would they? Business model, history, personal vendetta’s, etc., whatever is going to prevent that from happening. In reality, the racers need to form a meaningful organization funded by membership fees and sponsors (might be a good idea to not allow specific tracks to sponsor it) that can negotiate with each track that it wishes to hold a race at. Maybe take a look at what CJKC is doing as an organization and maybe use them as a model or try to piggy back with them outright? Whatever it takes, take it out of the track owners hands and instead come back with, hey, TTAC, IMI, Bandimere, SBR or wherever, we’d like to book your facility for X date in X month, for our series and can you accommodate us?
Ultimately though it will come down to whether or not there are enough racers to support it and then who would run and organize it? It would also take some time to build up and get the word out. Outside of having a racer organization to hold and promote races, it might also be a good way to help recruit new karters to the scene. In all honesty, karting as a whole seems rather disjointed in terms of organization so maybe a Colorado Karting Club might be able to provide some clarity.
