Originally, motor racing involved five distinct elements: a driver, a team, a chassis, an engine and tyres. For a long time, the three technical elements were the subject of fierce competition between the various manufacturers. This led to rapid technical progress, to the benefit of the industry as a whole. Ingenious inventors were able to explore all the possibilities of motor vehicles using internal combustion engines, both in terms of pure speed and endurance. The gradual emergence of a form of technical stabilisation can be dated to around the year 2000, as if all avenues had been explored and the best one was settled on. It's a shortcut that neglects certain economic aspects in particular, but it gives a picture that's not so far removed from reality.

From then on, the technical elements began to be standardised within the various regulations. At present, the tyres for each category are produced by the same manufacturer, from karting to Formula 1. Formula 3 and Formula 2 single-seaters have become completely monotypes, with identical chassis and engines for all. All that remains is the driver's talent and the team's fine-tuning work to make the difference. In Formula 1, pure equipment development is now only carried out at a high level, with independent teams developing their own chassis, while the number of engine manufacturers is becoming ever smaller. The same is true of WEC hypercars and the WRC, which are still dominated by the manufacturers themselves.

Although karting concerns a specific population where independence and passion can still have their place, it has followed a similar path to car racing. Nowadays, it is only at the highest level that you can choose your make of chassis and engine, provided you have the means. In national events, the engine is very often decided by the regulations and the latitude for preparation is drastically reduced to the point where real engine preparers are an endangered species. At the same time, turnkey packages known as 'Arrive & Drive' have emerged with a dual objective. The financial aspect and ease of access are important issues for the basic discipline of motor sport, which must provide an important popular base for all the other disciplines.

One example is the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, which has been offering an international competition with a focus on technical fairness to young drivers aged between 12 and 14 since 2010. The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals has successfully used this concept once a year for 25 years, with a different commercial logic, while various initiatives by Italian manufacturers have tried their luck in this direction. The rise of RGMMC's Champions of the Future Academy Program shows that there is considerable potential in this direction, in terms of simplicity of use and budget control. It is possible that the concept of turnkey races will soon be rolled out at national level, following on from what is happening in France with the French Junior Karting Championship run by the FFSA Academy. Pitting drivers against each other on equal terms improves the training aspect and helps their overall level to progress on a sound basis.

Rather than being a foregone conclusion, couldn't one-make formulas be an opportunity to develop karting alongside the traditional route?

About KartCom

Kartcom is the communication department of the French company KSP Reportages.

A tool for large-scale communication!

In 2004, KSP Reportages was one of the first to offer the production of karting press releases to its customers. Numerous well-known players in the kart and automotive industry rely on KSP Reportages for the production and distribution of their press releases to a mailing list of more than 30,000 targeted and verified contacts worldwide.

Kartcom has recognised expertise and solid experience in the production of press kits and presentations, as well as brochures, advertising materials and collector books.

Launched in 2007, the Kartcom website quickly became an essential tool in the international karting world. Users to benefit from a unique database of drivers, circuits, competitions and much more, which can be consulted free of charge. Published on www.kartcom.com along with news photos by KSP Photo Agency, the articles from KSP Reportages provide simple and accessible communication elements contributing to social network feeds and websites, while benefiting from the archiving and development as well as the influence of Kartcom.