I think one of the problems with the rise of the "team" in karting is that the privateer can feel pushed out.
As the teams try and outdo each other with bigger and bigger awnings, less of the decent paddock space is left for the privateers. Whilst to many newcomers, the buzz and spectical of wondering through the paddock, must be exciting. It must also put off many, who know the limit of their means, will be a second hand kart trailered behind the family car. To the newcomer or casual visitor, it must seem like two worlds; On the one hand you have the professionals, with big, bright awnings, matching kit and karts, near the grid entrance and race-control...Then you have others, struggling in a muddy field, having to trek back and forth umpteen times a day. I'm sure this puts many off. It also becomes self perpetuating, newcomers come in, they see this and feel that they need to be part of a team or they'll be cast out on their own in the boondocks, to struggle!
I know it's not as black and white as that and at many clubs there's lots of very helpful people to guide the new. It just seems that the very people who might have a small problem at scrutineering, or might be a bit unsure about when they need to get down to the dummy grid or who might forget to have something with them and need to dash back to their car. Those are the people who end up stuck miles away in the muddy field!
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