With Drive to Survive boosting Formula 1 ratings through the roof in the last few years, it massively benefited Rental Karting or at least in America and the UK. Why? And what has this to do with Irish Karting scene Shane? Let me explain.
Like watching Manchester United loose, you want to go out to the green with your friends and kick ball around pretending you're your favorite team. If you really enjoy it you maybe you join the local club then if you're good there you take it step by step on trying to climb the ladder. And it's the same with children watching Drive to Survive or the F1 races themselves, they want to do something like it. They probably play the F1 game for a while but they'll want more and more at some stage. So what's the next step at a cheap cost? Rental karting! They may run into problems of not having friends interested in F1 or even karting and if they go by themselves they mightn't go again after as lets be honest, karting by yourself is boring especially in rentals. So what have American and the UK done?
Both countries have a strong rental kart scene especially UK where you've many different type of rental kart championships at all different levels. You've indoor, outdoor, sprint, endurance, Cadet rentals and even Sodi - Rotax rentals! Literally the list is endless and it's a great first step onto the Karting ladder. A lot of the tracks will run a few championships throughout the year from Cadet to senior depending on the track. This means you can start your child out karting for such a cheap price where he can learn the basics of lines and race craft at a lower speed and lot less chance of causing damage to the equipment. If they don't enjoy it after a few races it's not the end of the world because the kart isn't yours so you won't have lost out on a lot of money.
In the UK and Europe in general they've many endurance rental races that vary from 3 hour to 24 hours and that lead to many people jumping into Pro Karts ( twin 4 stroke engined karts ) then onto more after.
So the UK and US have great foundations already set out and proven to be a success for 'proper' karting as people want to try move up the ladder most of the time. So, what has Ireland got? Student Sport Ireland which is a championship for college students, that's it.. Why? I can't answer that as we've the tracks, karts ( kind of.. ) facilities and capable of holding these events as it's done for SSI above. What do I mean " kind of " regarding karts.. The equality of the karts aren't there and it's not a dig at anyone but you go to every track and you're told they're within 0.5 of each other when in reality if they're within 5 seconds of each other that be good going at some places.. You can't hold any type of championship with karts like that even if its just for new people. No one would stick around for a few rounds if the karts aren't near equal at all.
Is it too late to try get something going? The big hype train is gone but thankfully the people who got on the train at first, a lot stayed on it. But the issue is getting karts more equal and I don't think anyone is bothered in putting in the money to get them in better condition. Even though you could show your karts are good and the championship you do is fun and competitive it would certainly make you the money back.
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