I'd tend to agree with most of what you've said here, but there's another factor that we haven't mentioned and that's the housing downturn and liquidity drought factor. Let me explain.
Over the past 10 years or so, those who owned houses have seen the value of their equity increase significantly. Huge numbers have withdrawn that equity as cash through a variety of methods and used it to dramatically increase their disposable income. This has been evidenced by a 'luxury splurge' where the growth in sales of what we'd come to know as 'high end' items has increased far beyond normal expectations. Consider this. The average income in the UK is GBP20K something. Reconcile that with the fact that just a few years ago, sales of 3 series BMWs outstripped those of Britain's staple - the Ford Mondeo.
Bringing it back to karting, a large number of drivers are spending GBP10K+ on a season's racing, and again, have been using cashed-in home equity as a means of funding it. Now that this has dried up, people are forced to revert to normal spending patterns and this will not stretch to karting. Add to that uncertainty over your job or business and its time to stop [even if just temporarily to get the lay of the land].
If you fund your own racing, then you'll be acutely aware of what I've mentioned above. If your dad funds it for you, then maybe its time to have a chat with him about things.
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