Far more accessible than most other motorsports, but still largely the reserve of rich kids and those whose parents want their kids to make up for their failures.
The story of my life. No matter where I race now, there is at least 5 kids who have parents who spend over $2,500AUD
a race meet on engines, tyres, etc. There was actually a kid who had 3 karts to choose from just for one class at a domestic meeting, then he had to choose from 5 engines. Just insane really.
I know, that I am.
"Wasting nature's resourses", "All they do is go around circles", "It's not even a real sport" "🤬 off *insert my first name*". And that's just small portion of all the things I've heard when I start to talk about motorsport.
That's all I get as well when I mention anything Motorsport, just pathetic, ignorant and stupid really. Then when it comes to backing up their claim, they can't. That'll always be the problem with Motorsport.
Oh don't forget that all you do is sit down and turn a wheel. Also F1 is for rich snobby kids. Nascer is for dumb rednecks. Rally is swarming with extreme marketing dudebros. Drifting is cringeworthy.
Wow. Seems like you know what you're talking about... not.
As much as I like karting, I wouldn't say it's exactly a cool hobby as you're not likely to pick up any women from doing it.
Well your not guaranteed but I've seen it and experienced it happening!
One, it's insanely expensive, even at the kart level(unless you just do the arrive and drive thing) and anything where having a good chunk of money is needed is just not cool. Secondly, a good chunk of the fans are very unpleasant to both other fans and non-fans.
Both of those things have pretty much made it so that I don't even say I'm into racing as it's just not a cool thing to be into.
This wont help my sport of karting and certainly doesn't look good coming from the Vice-President of Karting QLD's son but it must be said;
I'll agree, karting is terribly expensive, depending on what you want to achieve;
If you just want to race at your local club and practice when you want, it is affordable, but little niggly bits like kart parts may add up if you break things... a lot.
If you travel around to race but don't spend much money on your kart, it is a bit more expensive, but it depends how you manage it. That's my situation, we travel a lot, but due to that, we spend very little money on the kart, so we are already at a disadvantage, but with my growing talent, I'm slowly closing the gap between small budget racing and those who spend mega dollars.
I'll admit, if you want to be the best, you need to spend a lot of money, but as I just said, if you have talent and you try your absolute hardest, with only a little bit of money, you can match it with the best. It takes time, I'm starting my 7th year in karts next year, but my 4th in racing across the state, and I'm just getting there now.
Sponsors are a massive boost, I recently got 2 sponsors on board and that has helped massively. Sponsors are essential in racing karts at a national level.
The spectators, ill admit that there are a few dodgey ones, but I've had a few that genuinely come ask about the sport. It just depends in where you are.
Even though I know Motorsport isn't the coolest thing to be into, I still proudly talk about and when I get the chance, try to get them into it.
I know Karting Australia is making strides to change the money game with engines you cannot do anything to and have unmeasurable parity so, trust me, in a few years, karting will be money-free & politics free, like it was in Senna's day.
