It is expensive to compete at the front, but not as expensive as some would like you to believe. The key is focussing your time and efforts in the right areas. If you can look at every aspect of your kart preparation, every aspect of driver preparation and every aspect of your own "team" preparation and say, "there's nothing more we can do" then no amount of extra money will make you go quicker.
Just look at it rationally:
1) Your competitors are all on the same tyre. 2) Your competitors are all on the same fuel. 3) Your competitors have access to the same choice of chassis and components. 4) Is your engine as well prepared as it can be and as fresh as it needs to be? 5) Are your carbs as well prepared as they can be? 6) Is your chassis as well prepared as it can be? 7) Is your setup as good as it can be?
The only area wealth really makes a difference is seat time. The rich kids are in a kart all the time.
The major area where running with any team makes a difference is cumulative knowledge (sharing of data, ideas, setup etc).
The major area where running with a "proper" team makes a difference is accumulated knowledge and experience (they'll arrive at the optimum position more often and more quickly).
Having said that, those that dedicate the time and effort to accumulate the knowledge and experience for themselves are perfectly capable of running at the front without a team and without (relatively) vast sums of money. In many cases, the cost of accumulating said knowledge and experience for oneself is more expensive than simply running with a team to begin with.
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