Problem being, the divide in how Karting is viewed. As you've mentioned in the past, it is its own entity. And not simply a stepping stone into the world of Big Circuit racing. But to many, it is seen as just that. A means to get their kids some racing experience before they try and make it in the world of Ginetta Juniors/F4 etc. How could people view it as a means of making a living, when to them it's the "First Rung on the ladder". Doesn't matter where you go in Motorsport though, it's the same story sadly. The top Formula Ford Drivers in the country don't get paid, as that's seen as a junior series. Despite 90% of the drivers being 30+. Some races have a prize kitty, but usually only to the tune of £500 or so. These are drivers who race against and beat big names such as Jamie Chadwick in the Walter Hayes Trophy. Maybe if there was more readily available coverage on races, interest and opportunities for earning would increase. Side effect being, a rise in entry fees etc.
Hey i love love your channel and your points are exciting and interesting and so are your titles, something i think would help a LOT are pictures about what you are talking about. Kind of like a Josh revell, or Driver 61 vibe. Most watchers will click off even if what you are saying is super interesting because in todays high stimulating world, people get bored just wayching you talk. I dont mean this mean AT ALL. Thats practically anyone. But like you talking and then also pictures and silent videos as a voiceover of what you are saying i think would transform and elevate your youtube videos. Like crazy. Keep the listener attentive to what you are saying and lets their imagination excite them as well. Lmk what you think i think your channel is honestly amazing and has so much potential
The only amateur motorsport in this country that pays prize money is short oval racing. However short oval racing is run as an entertainment business instead of a motorsport series. The promotors put on novelty events like stunt shows and caravan races to bring in the crowds. Karting is so insular you’ll struggle to bring in enough spectators to then generate the income for the track to be able to pay prize money🤷♂️
Kartmasters had around 305 entries. £250 entry fee. That's around £75,000. All classes must buy slicks (Rotax Snr was 2x). That's another £50k. So that's around £125k in revenue being generated from just the competitors themselves. £6800 is the total cash prize fund. The winner in of each class gets £500. In effect a reimbursement of their tyre and entry fee. It's not the worse deal in the deal in the world from TVKC, I should mention. I also said karters need to be prepared that if it they are able to build a fan base, then ticket sales will become a factor.
Why not ? It wasn't uncommon for top drivers to get paid to race back in the 1970s and 1980s. Certainly Terry Fullerton was always paid and Mike Wilson was also. In fact one of the reason Mike Wilson moved to Italy and subsequently never [properly] transitioned to cars was because he had a family and a salary from IAME/Kali etc... Lots of good drivers also used to get free chassis and engines etc... as [exactly as you said] their success promoted the brands and led to increased sales. I do think that people can make tertiary income through youTube content etc... also, that may not necessarily be a function of how good they are but more towards how entertaining their content is.
The best should just cover some amount they are putting in each season in if not more... But here karting people are a strange pack of people, ... we somehow like to be pulled over the bench
Hey, I’m a junior and find the karting experience incredible. I’m looking for a racing kart that I can get that’s got decent durability as I’m not exactly an expert mechanic. Preferably under £2,000. Do you have any suggestions?
Where's your budget kart challenge videos, far more important than wondering about why people aren't paid. We want more people in the sport not worrying about paying people that are most likely already wealthy (given the equipment and seat time required to win in the first place)
I don't think being concerned with access to a sport should exclude the idea of the very best being rewarded. It's all part of self-sustaining ecosystem. Sim racing has pro drivers and it's also very accessible. I am doing the budget kart challenge though, that's still happening this month.
