46 years ago this month, as I recall, we experienced a change of government by a bunch of hopefuls using the above slogan to support their quest.
Now more than ever, that slogan represents a similar necessary change of government in our sport.
We are now witnessing the fragmentation of our sport. Clubs have been consigned to the wilderness. Rebellious breakaway associations have been formed, and now we see almost an entire state raising the 2 fingered salute to the national government. We have seen an older well established alternate karting group with a small demographic attract as many or more entries to their national championship as can big brother (or is that cousin).
As part of that fragmentation, we are witnessing different tyres being proposed for use at club and zone events to those used at state and national events. We are seeing different sets of technical rules being investigated and implemented as a result of this fragmentation.
We have seen several previous and current administrators tried and convicted in kangaroo tribunals for expressing their opinions in the public media. Those opinions were sometimes delivered politely, but not always. And when not delivered politely, they were delivered in the manner in which they were as a response to the ignorant and impolite response of not being listened to, and to being effectively shouted down for daring to have such an opinion.
As part of this fragmentation, we are seeing the implementation of much of the requests made, and opinions expressed by those who suffered at the hands of these tribunals.
Indeed, we are seeing the governing body now starting to implement knee jerk reactions to support these changes that, while necessary, are still causing fragmentation in our sport (different tyres for the same class, but at different events).
So, two things must now happen.
First and foremost, we need to clean out entirely the current national administration, and start afresh, That would require all current contracts to be reviewed, and renewed in a manner that best supports the sport and its growth.
Unfortunately, that may result in some legal repercussions that our sport clearly does not need.
So the alternative is for those alternate organisations to band together, and in so doing, resolve their differences, acknowledge those differences that will not be compromised, but in so doing, be implemented in a way that allows each category to grow and prosper. And all the while, allow the current administration to wither and die, as surely it will while ever it continues as it has done up to now.
Secondly, now that the national administration seems to have finally heard some faint whispers, and in so doing, surely, it seems, have agreed with the sentiments of those opinions that resulted in what almost amount to lifetime bans from karting, it must immediately revoke those bans, and re-instate the memberships of those so affected. That some of those individuals have been acknowledged by their clubs, and also their state councils, as life members, demonstrates clearly how out of touch the decision to implement .these bans were.
While I cannot speak for those who are now serving these bans, as I have not sought their opinions, I can say that I do know, personally, the 3 gentlemen who have received the longest bans. Nor do I wish to speak for them, as they are more than capable of doing that for themselves. But I am starting to wonder whether I am the contributing link?
And as for clubs being cast to the wilderness, well that didn't work either, as we are seeing them prosper and grow, despite the worst efforts of the karting "gods". Another clear indication of the ignorance and ineptitude that requires the aforementioned rebirth of karting to occur.
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