Rant: Is Karting Losing Its Way? The State of the Sport in 2024

In this video, I share my unfiltered thoughts on the current state of karting-from rising costs and accessibility issues to questionable rule changes and the impact on the sport's future. Karting has long been the breeding ground for motorsport talent, but is it losing its way?
Join me as I dive into the challenges facing karting today, including:
The growing expense of competitive karting
Controversial regulations like wheel pods and bodywork changes
The widening gap between grassroots and professional karting
How the sport’s evolution is impacting young drivers and aspiring racers
Let’s talk about the hard truths, and most importantly, what needs to change to preserve karting as the heart of motorsport.
Have your say in the comments: What do you think about the current state of karting?
#KartingRant #StateOfKarting #MotorsportIssues #KartingDebate #GoKartingFuture #RacingIndustry

[@Wolemid]

Do you agree with me? Is this the best solution if we must cover the wheels?

[@R2SSModding]

i think going fully enclosed is even worse. do you really want to spend twice the amount on bodywork? just leave karts as is

[@kartaroundtheworld]

Sam these fully covered kart in Brazil are the ones they use for the 500 miles event in Kart Granja Viana, with the 4 strokes GX390 karts. The 500 miles is a year end event where famous drivers like Massa and Barrichelo also race. They are not used in official competitions. But I also dislike the idea of the wheel covers that FIA is introducing

[@HoltAircraft]

The advantage I see with the Brazillian bodywork is there is advertizing space, the disadvantage is that aero kills competition because it gives you such a downforce advantage to be in front. Will make the racing more like modern aero era NASCAR (boring crash fests) than old school open wheel racing. My opinion is the less bodywork the better open wheel racing.

[@stane8895]

Hopefully the FIA will back off. If not I'm sure a sanctioning body is required to race at your local track. American Supercross/Motocross dropped the FIM because they were making it difficult. These organizations try to justify their existence by "solving" problems and charging you fees. All to allow you to race, your kart, on your local track with your friends. Ditch these behemoths and get back to competitive racing with your friends. I'm sure it will be cheaper and more fun. Put your money into where you race not on a deposit for another rich guys yacht.

[@Wolemid]

Amen!

[@anthonymott7385]

If only they’d spend as much effort on actually making karting accessible to normal people…..

[@Wolemid]

But how could they afford their private villas paid for? If they don’t get as much income? 😅

[@helmetculture]

To truly MAKE karting safer, you'd have to remove the sidepods and rear bumpers. But no one wants to have that conversation

[@eugene4643]

Would make you think before you act stupidly 😂 Had a older kart and was very aware of my feet ! One thing that has been met with silence is if you want to race you should also do some flagging . Have done both and sometimes in the same day !

[@enput4522]

you are taking away the CORE of the sport, Its supposed to be cheap and it its a metal frame with no pods 4 wheels and thats it. i was fine when they introduced the backbumper and sidepods but now with all the aero stuff and inclosement it not iven karting any more, now its just a minicar, NO AERO NO ENCLOSEMENT

[@ScottLeMarquand]

Agree with you 100%, has to be a consequence for stupidity & the wrong action. As well as punishment if it was dangerous. Seems like lawyers & people who don't understand sport trying to inject their presence & influence.

[@Wolemid]

Sneaking their way in. I suspect we’re wrong and they really truly do care about our safety 🫠

[@rererep1109]

The Brazilian 500 milhas da granja viana is awesome, but that’s the only race they use that body kit

[@JASON-rq5gl]

Been a dad and full time mechanic for my 9 year old son in Cadet karting I'm not a big fan of some of the looks of these new possible kart design proposals, some look terrible. I agree, I like the current look of the karts, they look like mini f1. I'm all for safety improvements, what's the answer I'm not sure. I would like the karts to look even more like f1 cars personally but obviously on a smaller scale. If a roll bar, roll cage is implemented into the frame then seat harness will definitely have to be introduced.

[@tonylarocca7826]

Fire the F.I.A. and start your own sanctioning body that keeps things simple.

[@Wolemid]

I’m a dictator, you wouldn’t want me in charge! 😂😂

[@101JuventusFan]

I don’t think anything is the solution here. Yes, safety is safety, but any way you look at it is promoting more reckless racing from the minds of the drivers and you’re changing the identity of karting from karts to effectively mini-cars, plus adding an additional expense for any damages you’re going to make. If anyone truly thinks karting is that dangerous, then just go race rental karts, because you don’t see the wheels covered in open wheel racing, and yet they are just fine

[@FamilyMotorsports87]

cages and wheel covers, and make the officials penalize rough driving.

[@Opressed]

so it's about looks for you

[@TheCharillz23]

I mean if crashes are the issue just go full cage and belts

[@travellyman]

Karting is rapidly losing its purity.

[@Wolemid]

It sure is! Used to be lightweight and agile, nowadays, not so much