Haydn <...> said:
Thankyou Nick

The World’s represent really good value for money.

Competitors get six days and nights of world-class racing and off-track fun. For their money they will enjoy food and drinks at the welcome bbq on Sunday afternoon and the fully catered, off-site celebration function on the Friday night provided in their entry fee, and a get an event t-shirt. Not only that, every competitor will go in the draw to win a 2008 Sport 4.0 and very impressive spot prizes. Those who have their entry in before 1 August will also go in the draw for some fantastic blokart performance products as well. First-place-getters will walk away with a custom POD, as well as (in case we have forgotten this is the WORLD championships) the title of WORLD CHAMPION – and the trophy to prove it (for most sports, this all they get and all they care about).

With such high stakes involved, and international competitors spending THOUSANDS of dollars to compete for the title, a highly accurate timing system is crucial. Having the results for 150 competitors, from the rapid-fire heats, available minutes after they cross the finish line keeps the racing charged. Volunteers (I mean no disrespect whatsoever) with pen and paper are not really going to cut it, are they? Therefore if competitors do not own a transponder, the event will need to hire one from Timing NZ at a cost of $25. Alternatively, competitors could look into purchasing these at the cost of $165 (the amount the event will be up for if it is returned damaged or lost – something we normally discover after everyone has departed).

It is not cheap to organize an event of this size and quality. The cost of compensating and paying for venues, hiring equipment and expertise just to name the obvious. A depressed market, and with many high profile events failing, means sponsorship money is hard earned. And although our aspirations are otherwise, blokart Racing is only participated in by a very small minority. We are extremely grateful for all the hard work that volunteers put in. Without them the event's costs would be horrendous.

If you are someone who would rather be part of the solution, rather than expend your energy repetitively expressing your concern, the organisers would definitely appreciate you securing a title sponsor for $10,000. I know thye would be happy to direct any surplus monies (outside of the increased obligations to that sponsor to ensure they get high media and advertising exposure) into reducing the entry fee and (if there is anything left over) cover the cost of hiring transponders.

This is going to be a fantastic event (if you doubt that, it wont matter what the entry fee is). If you are a Kiwi, (as pointed out earlier) it is right on our doorstep. Seize the opportunity to be part of the inaugural WORLD BLOKART CHAMPIONSHIPS. Don’t wish you had.

You will have plenty of opportunity to express your concerns about the cost of participating in the World’s, when it is held in the Northern Hemisphere, next time.