The organisers and custodians of the sport need to respond and to explain to their wider karting constituency as to the reasoning and rationale behind the decision to extend the MSA series geographically and in number of meetings.
Post Clay rotax S1 the message from the MSA and the promoters was that consideration and reflection would take place and the wider karting fraternity, ie drivers, teams, sponsors/parens should wait. 2008 so far has not been an illustrious year in the sport and many participants have become increasinlgy disilluisoned with the overall management and promotion of a sport which should, due to the media's focus on Hamilton and his karting background, be seeking to capitalise on a the franchise by making it more accessible to newomers but also to retain the loyalty of its established base. Furthermore, what seems lost on the organisers, the financial impcact of the world financial markets will affect us all, and marginal income decisions will mean karting becomes a more difficult decison for household incomes.
To this end I sit in awe, open mouthed at the recent news, where I learn that Fulbeck is to be a 7th KF track of the year, and the comments that you do not have to compete in all. Karting even more becomes the preserve of the rich elite who can afford to race in all and this in a time of dwindling family incomes.
As any economist will tell you at such times money should be applied in its most efficent and best value way. It is surely a rhetorical question to ask your 15 year old whether the budget should be applied to WSK in Europe or to Super 1. I do not intend to demean Fulbeck, I merely suggest that compared to the facilities of Europe our tracks are left someway behind, to me a neglect and insult to the karting fraternity, drivers, teams and sponsors.
Stars have it would grasped this one, and have elevated themselves by continuous dialogue with their constituency to create an attractive and exciting event series both domestic and international. It may no be perfect but one can clearly see thought, commercial thought, respect and logic in their approach.
Above all I feel saddened that at a time when this sport should be thriving we are squandering a wonderful opportunity that my not recur for another generation. One wonders what Virgin Super 1 could look like and then we really would be looking foreward to another season.
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