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By theRdriver
#86772
Maybe, it is about time, that the current Centre Stage Spectacle, of Super International Public Interest (Formula 1 - Champ Car Series, etc, etc), should be shared by another great potential, a more obtainable one, (potential, to be a great super international spectacle), such as the 250cc Superkart Series (taken up to, a World Class, World Championship Grand Prix Series). With changes, mechanically, politically and financially to the (would be, then) Superkart GP series, to give it that magnetic international power, to attract international crowds from all over the world. Large crowds, globally, to watch “The World Superkart GP Series”, on prime-time TV, live, maybe even, with it's own TV channel, in due course “The SuperKart GP Channel” or “The Kart Channel” on Sky-Sports, Sky- Satellite TV, NOW!!!).

The funny thing is, the general consensus, of the public, is, they aren’t interested, in Formula One, Champcar, Indy Car, IRL, Sportscar Series, or GT1, GT2 etc, etc , or, that ilk, anymore. The unified mind of today, is accepting (reluctantly - in some cases), the high profile disciplines of racing, with little interest (due, to its high un-attainability, is the reason, for reduced interest). With reference to this, Touring Car, once had some good momentum going for it (as we, all owned one of those cars, at one time, or another, to take our family, to school and to work, commuting and so forth, i.e.; The Popular Vauxhall/Opel Astra 2.0 etc, etc), which if you think about it, was a good marketing connection. However, for obvious reasons (road rage, etc), it kind of pittered out, along with, the thawtering of the DTM rules & reg's, of the early-mid nineties, albeit, it was an outstanding series, for them and all, enjoying it. The vote, was that it was, an awesome series and many people from all walks of life shared, this agreement. Popularity, at the time, particularly, with drivers, such as; Menu, Winklehock, Jody Sheckter, Jean Alesi, Ivan Muller, etc, in various Touring Car disciplines, globally ran, on an all time high).

People (everybody, in general), want to see, an awesome spectacle (Clash-Of-The-Titans, Cane & Abel, The Battle Of Hastings, Independence Day, etc). Spectators, of a major sporting event, generally only spend time, watching those large events, if it's relevant to them, where their higher mind can work with themselves, as, understanding the sport, of course (at their conscious levels), evaluating the experience and wanting to try it, for themselves, at some level, to try and understand, the experience, for the self. Thus, the cost barrier problem, of Formula One and the alike, is causing an alienation problem and a drop, in public interest. When there is a football match on, for arguments sake, it is easy to spot enthusiasts, kicking a ball, with some relevance, related, in one of the open areas, adjacent, to the football club, mentioned, despite, this is not always, true, albeit very supportive, in a general sense. Thus Football, IS, THE LARGEST SPECTATOR SPORT AND PARTICIPANT SPORT COLLABORATED THE WORLD, HAS EVER SEEN, HENCE, THE PREMIERSHIP AND THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, ALIKE, BECAUSE, ENTHUSIASTS CAN REPLICATE THE EXPERIENCE, WITH EASE AND AFFORDABILITY, ENCOURAGING INCREASED POPULARITY AND LOYAL ASSOCIATION. This is because, the connection, has been looked after, by marketers, and clubs, alike and has been generally, easy, for them to maintain, due to the affordability.

You see for example, you chill out with a bundle of beers, watch the Football with the lads around someone’s place, or in a bar somewhere, on a Tuesday night (ironically a workday night, for most), Real Madrid Vs Chelsea Football Club, or, Manchester United-it's The Champions League-The Grand Spectacle, for some, probably the biggest event in the world. Most predominantly, about 60,000,000 viewers (globally), will watch that event, if it is, the GRAND FINALE, of The Champions League. This is a typical event, which millions of people around the world do watch, all at the same time, live. These events, earn millions of Euros, for the clubs (per match), in ticket sales and sponsorship revenues, but, for the lads to kick a ball around, like their subsequent heroes, Wayne Rooney, Raul Bravo, doesn’t even cost, a single cent really, if you think about it.

Go-Karting, as it is originally known (from the fair ground), or, like the ones you push with your mates, down the hill, at the end of your street, doesn't cost much more, than three to five hundred Euros (five to seven hundred dollars US) or so to setup. Better still, if you are connected in the automobile industry, a couple of beers, for a mechanic you know kind of really well and some patience to go with that too will do it and you could sit in it and pretend, to be like the heroes, that race the Superkarts, in the Could Be, “Superkarts-GP-Worldchampionships". Now, that's a major sub-conscious, marketing connection, that would protect, The Worlds Motor Sports Culture and federation, maintaing good world public interest, from loss of marketing-space & popularity and community funding for those, who would want to follow through, in that route, by, other sports which are more realistic, as they are all already gaining popularity, fast. For example, just take a look at Rugby and Cricket, over the past 8 years for example, world popularity, has just swelled, extremely fast. I mean, how much does it cost, to swing a bat like The World Class Cricket Hero, Ian Botham, of the early eighties, or, Andrew Flintoff of today or, to play Rugby, like Martin Jonhson, or, Tom Croft and that kind of ilk. You’ll be even surprised, to notice, the U.S.A are in on the Rugby act now (un-believably), cos' it's cheap, to get your mates outside the back garden, after watching a match, swing a bat, like Ian Botham, or, play Rugby, like Nick Kennedy, or, kick a ball, like Roony, Pele, Maradona, etc, etc. It’s time, for all Motor Sport enthusiasts, financiers and organisers alike, to get a grip of the situation and do something, about this crisis. Something has to be done, to protect the popularity of the sport in general by coming up, with a championship, that's obtainable and fill it, with that world class glamour-n-ingredients, like the World Cup, etc, etc, so it can sit on the front row, of World Class Public Interest, or, near as damn it.

Below, are some ideas, which are good, to promote a healthy sport, using a popular discipline which, really is the most central, most basic and most original discipline, of Motor sports and a great potential, to be a World Class, World International, World Championship popular-power puller, “World-Karting”.

I'd suggest, using the 250cc Superkarts, as the base to start with, because, men are barmy, stupid and crazy (I'm a bloke and I'll admit that, myself) and must always, be taking part in something, insane, dangerous and most predominantly suicidal, to promote themselves, to the opposite umpalumpa (that’s nature), as well as passing time by, off course. It's proven, time and time again, throughout history, as discovered by talking to a doctor, (regarding, Testosterone levels), it's the mere propulsion, that makes masculinity exist, in it’s fashionable ways, in life (just go to Wikipedia.org and look up Testosterone and Oestrogen). Thus, we must always, do something insidiously dangerous, to prove to others and to the female comparative, our capability, of being the daring hunter, the physiological make up, which has followed us, for millions of years, since, the human race, first started, to exist. The 250cc is an excellent platform, for World Class Racing Drivers, to grab the attention, of large male audiences, due to the fact, that, average men, wouldn't dare to reach that level, of risk taking (hence the hero phenomenon), but would still watch it, as a laugh, in regular interest and in amazement, which is also a good connection, to far more safe levels, of karting, i.e.; The Fair Ground-Bumper Karts, or, more seriously than that, the 160cc Single Engined-four stroke Enduro Indoor Kart racing, at arrive-n-drive centres, globally, or, the 160cc Twin Engined-four stroke outdoor Enduro Kart Racing, or, the 100TKM-two stroke Club Racing, reaching speeds, of up to, 80mph (112kph) and with an acceleration, of 0-60mph (0-100kph) of 3.5 seconds, which is safer, for the less interested maniac and more affordable, for the, less payed, costing concurrently (on Exchange&Mart), for around 450 Euros ($600 US) (a focal goal, for the mundane, viewer and invester, instead of a 250cc Formula A Superkart, currently costing new 15000 Euros – 25000 Euros ($20000 - $31500), second hand, for around 2000 Euros ($2800). Who would enjoy, watching the series, at home, with his own, family/mates, on Sundays, I sure, would, cos it’s fast and due to the size, the main factor, is, their would be, maybe, up to 6 times, more overtaking and close combat racing (wheel to wheel). Also, due to the fact of the overall size, of the vehicle, there could be, more participants, in anyone race (currently F1 holds 22 max.)

Once, having established that idea, primarily, it would be important, to arrange the perfect balance, between the financial providers (sponsors, entrepreneurs and banks alike) and the TV networks, radio networks, publishers etc, etc, to balance off, the demands, of the financial investors and satisfy, the concerns, of the promoters and broadcasters alike, etc simultaneously. This can be done, by arranging sponsors to come forward, to promote products, of the drivers life styles, i.e.; self care products, finance products, holiday companies, health insurance companies, airline companies, mobile phone companies etc, etc, etc. Also, it would be a good idea, to do the same with, the Superkarts although, simple products only, like oil brands, tyre brands, auto insurance companies, even car manufacturers could get find a way in on the act, if they sat down, to be creative enough. If they, focused on finding a way, with those, who would be keen on the idea, etc, etc, with regards, to Superkarts, YES, CAR MANUFACTURERS, could get in on the idea, with 250CC SUPERKARTS GP RACING. This support, could be coupled with the support from, the TV, radio stations, publishers, etc, promoting the “dangerous Masculine Spectacle”, the high quality of driving talent (high bonuses, for the drivers), as well as finding, decicated and talented enthusiasts to drive the karts, which would come easily, if offered correctly). Also, for promotion and customer awareness; glamour, movies and movie stars, could be used, as well as racing in glamorous places, (due to the kart size against the speed of the karts, GP circuits, as well as clubman national circuits, could be used and best suited) thus, increased choice, of venues, for racing. There is absolute confidence, this vision, would work well and sell fast, amongst die hards (Mavericks), there partners, friends and avid spectators. Many racing drivers, would love to race, a 300cc two stroke GP Superkart, at Monaco. It would be, just absolutely awesome and crazy to miss out, on the opportunity, to race one, of those).

With extra investment and total publicity coverage, I would un-cap the financial limit, a racing team, would be allowed, to generate, for the R&D, of their annual racing Superkart and manufacture, including, World travel expenses etc, etc, just like the F1 financial arrangement, of the 60’s, 70’s and the 80’s even, allowing absolute extravagance, to go, through, the roof. Now, it is not the finance, of Formula 1, which kills the F1 spectacle, or how much, is it, costing. THE PROBLEM, IS HOW MUCH, IS IT, TO BUY A REPLICA, FOR YOU AND ME, SO WE CAN GO RACING, OVER A PERSONAL WEEKEND FOR SOME PLEASURE??? LOTS, IF YOUR AFFLUENT AND RICH AND WELL PAYED!!! FORGET IT, IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT!!! This is how, Grand Prix bike racing, a huge global following & euthanasia gathering, with heroes, such as, Carl Foggarty, Kevin Shwants, Wayne Rainey and obviously the invincible Barry Sheen, manages to survive (although, they cost millions, to run, EACH LAP, due to sophisticated materials and designs), because, they are so similar, to superbikes, they are serving well. I can hitch up a Suzuki GSX-R 1000R, a replica of the World Superbikes, Series and looks dead similar, to any Grand Prix bike (obviously, no where near, as fast), for around 2500 Euros ($3000), on the road, today, taxed, insured and road legal. Albeit, it’s a replica, that you’d go to work on, etc, etc, karting, wouldn’t be able, to fulfil, that marketing connection (all the commuting) and road traffic experience, but, the affordability, can still make that gap. It is the way, the cars, are designed, to resemble, something, bionic (F1) and to expensively bionic (from another planet, including transportation and running costs), to afford, thus, the physiological possibility, for the following. It’s all about Replicas and their, affordability, (please continue, reading).

From the extra investment, incurred, it would be advisable, to encourage the Superkart GP teams, to alter the Superkarts (of The Superkart World GP Series), to a two-stroke Grand Prix 300cc ceramic engine block. To then, marry that, with, the incorporation of Nano Technology, and or, Crystal technology, (to keep the gearbox system small, due to the overall size, of the vehicle, itself), to advance the transmission, to a 7 or 8 speed etc, electronic quick shift sequential flip paddle, system, to yet again, improve the speed, qualifying it, to a World Series. The most important thing though, is, to make sure, it always looks similar to, a contempary 250cc Formula A Superkart (remember, that REPLICA thing), that is where the success, comes in. Also, it could be conceivable, to incorporate veins and a variety of aerodynamic technologies and super light materiels, for improved performance, further still. After, pairing everything, with it's improved and revised power train, including a laterally working chassis system, to deal with the fluctuation, of the road surface (bumps and cracks) and camber change, introducing, increased setup choice, aswell, for all world street, oval, GP and Clubman circuits.

I pray one day soon, in this decade, I wake up and find myself, paying attention, to the “World Championship Kart Grand Prix Series”, on World TV, radio, or magazines, as an event, of primary, global public interest, etc, either as a spectator, or, as a campaning driver, to participate, myself. Reaserch it, for yourselfs, it is truly, worth every penny and has a stupendously strong future, as so…

Good luck, happy planning and God Speed, you all,

TheRdriver (Racing soon)…



P.S. Please reply, with your (sensible) opinions and suggestions, to this crisis and to the solution, suggested above and going ahead, with it...

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