The Indie series at Hooton is very good but it's not MSA racing, or should I say it's not a level playing field. Sure measures can be introduced to level the playing field out more but it can never be as level as MSA racing without losing some members. As such I think there is room for MSA racing and IKR racing to co-exist together.
The IKR racing is the best and easiest way to start kart racing, it is also the cheapest and this is why it is growing very quickly. However with this growth comes competitive people and some of these people will want a more even playing field and MSA racing is the answer for them people.
So I don't think it's a case of IKR v MSA. I think it's more of a case of how MSA racing can benefit from the growth of IKR. The two should be able to complement each other, with IKR racers buying second hand MSA tyres, chassis, engines and feeding the MSA with new racers moving from IKR to MSA.
So with all this in mind, I think there is every reason to believe that it's entirely possible to grow MSA racing off the back of IKR's success.
If I was you Liam, I'd be hanging around the IKR meetings, chatting to all the TKM lads, maybe doing a couple of IKR meetings and try and advertise the MSA racing from within the IKR scene. Out of a grid of 20 there are bound to be 2 or 3 that are interested but won't make the jump due to grid sizes. If you start with say 5 or 6 then you can grow a grid from there. IKR is always going to grow so there will always be a few drivers wanting something a little bit more fair and even.
I'd also be buying and selling kit to make yourself a bit of cash, enjoy your hobby of mechanic and to advise the newcomers buying your kit of the options available to them for racing.
Everything is possible, it won't happen overnight, but with a constant effort made by yourself (unfortunately it will have to be you as no one else will do it, not to begin with anyway) then you should see a growing upwards trend.
I know with the IKR we set up a facebook group early on which allows everyone to keep in touch and find out who's racing, starting racing etc. The grid numbers certainly grew off the back of that with ex MSA racers doing races. Maybe you could do the same for MSA, it's a great way to keep in touch with everyone and find out who wants to race and when.
Just keep at it, keep on the forums and keep everyone updated. There will always be newcomers reading what you write and that in itself is a good way to advertise the TKM MSA racing.
Good luck, and well done for taking a stand.
Chris.
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MSA TKM Extreme at Hooton Park by 'Liam' (25 Jun 2013 @ 21:40)
