THE SHOW IS NOT ENOUGH

Certain “mega-events” act as glittering stages, a “showcase”, for world karting. It is certainly not a negative aspect, but we do not believe that this is sufficient for our sport’s real development 

by M. Voltini

We published an interesting interview with Giancarlo tinini (as always) in the same issue of virtual room magazine, which mentioned a topic I want to explore and expand, and I also want readers to comment on. In fact, among other things, there are discussions about the world cup in Brazil, which is a “top” event and should help promote our sport around the world: a “show” to make the go kart known to “lazy” or “uninformed” (but also to ordinary engine fans), and a show of its brightest aspects. However, as CRG’s boss rightly pointed out, we can’t limit everything to this: more is needed to support similar projects.

So I began to think that we often confine ourselves to simple appearance and appearance, and do not study other issues in depth. Generally speaking, what karting lacks is not well-organized events. On the contrary: in addition to the world-class and continental events of the FIA, there are many other events of international value, from Europe to the United States, from WSK series to skusa, and then to magti, which are the first events to appear in people’s minds. But if you really want to seek (and get) the real promotion of kart, that’s not all. This concept means the spread and increase of our sport in terms of quantity and image.

POSITIVE GLOBALISM

Before there is any misunderstanding, one thing must be clear: I am not against the world game in Brazil. On the whole, this country has made (and is still making) a great contribution to global motor racing, and as a big fan of senna, I certainly can’t easily forget this fact. Maybe Massa, as the chairman of the FIA karting team, is a little bit caught in nationalist mood, but I still don’t think there is anything wrong or reprehensible in this action. On the contrary, it is short-sighted and counterproductive in my opinion to restrict top events such as OK and KZ World Championships to be held only in Europe, even if it is convenient for manufacturers. In fact, it’s no coincidence that manufacturers like Rotax, whose managers are always looking ahead and not influenced by the bad habits of traditional go karts, decided to change the venue of the finals to Europe and the other one outside the old world. This choice has won the series glory and prestige, and brought it a real global flavor.

The problem is that it is not enough to just decide to hold a competition outside Europe, or in any case, if there is no other competition, it is not enough to decide to hold a prestigious “exhibition competition”. This will only make the huge economic and sports efforts that organizers and participants have to face almost useless. So we need something that enables us to reinforce these glittering, glamorous events more decisively, rather than everything ending up on the podium at the moment of the awards ceremony.

FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED

Obviously, from the manufacturer’s point of view, TiNi measures the problem from the perspective of market and business. It’s not a vulgar parameter, because from a sports point of view, it’s another way to quantify the popularity or share of our sports, all of which are: more practitioners, so more racetracks, more races, more professionals (mechanics, tuners, dealers, etc.), more go karts sales, etc., and, as a result, just like As we have written on other occasions, for a second-hand market, this in turn helps those who are less likely or just suspicious to start karting activities and further develop karting practice. In a virtuous circle, once it starts, it will only produce benefits.

But we have to ask ourselves what happens when a fan is attracted to these prestigious games (on TV or in real life). Parallel to the shop windows on the mall, these windows help to attract customers, but when they enter the store, they have to find something interesting and suitable for them, whether in use or cost; otherwise, they will leave and (most importantly) they will never come back. And when a fan is attracted by these “show races” and tries to understand how he can imitate the car “hero” he just saw, unfortunately, most of the time he hits the wall. Or rather, continuing to parallel the store, he finds a salesman who offers two choices: a nice, but unattainable object or an available, but not exciting one, with no half measure and the possibility of other choices. This is happening to those who are willing to start racing with go karts and offer two situations: racing with “exaggerated” FIA standard go karts, or endurance and leasing, few and rare alternatives. Because from a sports and economic point of view, even brand trophies are very extreme now (with few exceptions).

WHEN AN ENTHUSIAST IS ATTRACTED BY CERTAIN “SHOWCASE RACES” AND TRIES TO UNDERSTAND HOW HE CAN EMULATE THE “HEROES” HE HAS JUST SEEN RACING, HE FINDS ONLY TWO ALTERNATIVES: THE WONDERFUL BUT UNREACHABLE FIA-STANDARD KARTS OR THE ACCESSIBLE BUT LESS EXCITING RENTAL ONES, WITHOUT HALF MEASURES

NOT ONLY JUNIOR

It is no coincidence that, again in the interview that gave the starting point for these digressions, Tinini himself comes to point out the lack of a category (or more than one) that bridges the huge gap between 4-stroke rental karts and FIA “World Championship-level” ones. Something that is economically more affordable, but without giving up acceptable performance: in the end, everyone would like to race with a Formula 1, but then we are “satisfied” (so to speak) with GT3s too …

Organizing the Karting World Championships outside Europe, for promotional purposes, is nothing new: already in 1986, when the 100cc was still racing, an overseas trip was made to promote “Cik-style” karting in the USA, in Jacksonville. Then there were some other occasions, like Cordoba (Argentina) in ‘94, and other events in Charlotte

The beauty – and oddly enough – is that there are many simpler, less powerful engines in go karts: the Rotax 125 junior max, for example, is a completely reliable, low maintenance, 23 horsepower engine without even the complexity of exhaust valves. But the same principle can also be applied to the old KF3. In addition to going back to the discussion of deeply rooted habits that are difficult to eradicate, people must hope that this type of engine is only suitable for junior drivers. But why, why? These engines can drive go karts, but also for those over 14 years old (maybe even 20 years old…) They still want to have some exciting fun, but not too harsh. Those who work on Monday can’t come back exhausted on Monday In addition to all the discussion about vehicle management commitment and economic commitment, this is increasingly felt these days.

IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF AGE

This is just one of the many possible ideas that can lead to the idea of how to increase the spread and practice of go karts, get rid of some too rigid plans, and strictly follow what we call the “show race”. It’s a category for everyone, without any specific age limit, but designed to avoid complications and disproportionate costs. A gap to fill, CRG’s patron also said that it can also serve as a “bridge” for FIA racing in those countries where, for various reasons, car racing finds it more difficult to catch up or take root. Maybe there is a beautiful international single final called FIA Don’t you think a fan would be easier to find the desire, time and money in a prominent contest just once a year if the category is effective and “tailored” for him? In fact, if we think carefully, without preconceived ideas, is there really a similar reasoning, improvement and successful Rotax challenge? Once again, the foresight of Austrian companies is just one example.

Let’s be clear: this is just one of the many possible ideas to ensure that important events such as the one foreseen in Brazil do not prove to be isolated and ends in themselves but can be a spark for something positive to follow.

What do you think? And, above all, do you have any other proposals in mind?

Article created in collaboration with Vroom Karting Magazine.