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Summary
Karting, a form of motorsport involving small, single-seater, four-wheeled vehicles known as karts, is divided into leisure and competitive activities, with the former aimed at occasional racers and the latter requiring licensing from organizations like the FFSA or UFOLEP. Despite a fragmented market with independents and franchises like K1Speed leading in the indoor segment, karting enjoys widespread popularity in France, boasting over 50,000 FFSA sports licensees, with more than 15,000 specifically for karting, and a cumulative 5 million individuals having participated in the activity. France has approximately 350 go-karting venues as reported by EY Barometre. However, the market faces challenges such as a declining number of licensees due to the inability of karting schools to retain amateur enthusiasts and the high costs associated with kart ownership. The industry, with an anticipated growth rate of 4.2% up to 2022, is also witnessing a shift towards sustainability through the introduction of electric karts and initiatives for tire recovery and recycling.
Evolving Dynamics of Karting in France: Market Trends and Growth Prospects
In the realm of French motorsport, karting emerges as both a popular leisure activity and a competitive endeavor. With a history tracing back to the first kart created in the United States during the 1950s, this sport has since enjoyed a global following, with Europe hosting prestigious championships since the mid-1960s. In France, the karting scene enjoys a wide reach, with the French Federation of Automotive Sports (FFSA) supporting more than 15,000 karting licensees and an estimated five million individuals having experienced the thrill of go-karting. Karting venues are abundant, boasting approximately 350 locations nationwide, indicating a high degree of accessibility for enthusiasts seeking adrenaline rushes at a moderate cost.
Despite this broad appeal, the market exhibits signs of fragmentation, with a mix of independent sites and franchises such as K1Speed, illustrating the diversity of options available. The market forecast appears optimistic, with projections suggesting growth at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4.2% up until the year 2022. Nevertheless, challenges persist, notably the decline in licensee numbers. This attrition can be attributed to obstacles such as the difficulty in converting occasional racers into karting school regulars and the financial burden of kart ownership. Addressing contemporary concerns, the karting industry is actively embracing sustainability.
Innovations like electric karts signal a shift towards environmentally responsible practices, and efforts are underway to establish tire recovery and recycling programs. Such trends underscore the sector's adaptability and commitment to reducing its ecological footprint. In summary, while the karting market in France experiences a slight dip in licensee participation, its growth, widespread leisure appeal, and proactive stance on ecological issues paint a picture of a vibrant sport in the midst of evolution and expansion.
Pioneers and Innovators of the Karting Market Landscape
The karting market consists of various stakeholders, each playing a vital role in the sport's growth and experience. Among these are the independent circuits, franchises, and organizations orchestrating competitive events, as well as the innovators spearheading the move toward more sustainable practices within the sport.
- Independent Circuits: Scattered across countries with a rich karting culture, such as France, these numerous independent circuits are the backbone of the leisure karting industry. They provide casual racers with the thrill of driving, often being the first taste of motorsport for enthusiasts. Their accessibility and local appeal make them key contributors to the sport's growth, offering unique experiences that resonate with the communal aspects of racing.
- Franchises: In the league of indoor karting, franchises like K1 Speed have made a significant mark. With their business model, they've been able to streamline the karting experience and offer consistent service quality to customers. As leading entities, they harness the power of branding and standardized operations to attract a steady stream of patrons and create a memorable and exhilarating racing environment for both first-timers and seasoned racers alike.
- Governing Bodies: Organizations such as the FFSA (French Federation of Automotive Sports) and UFOLEP (French Union of Secular Physical Education Works) are pivotal in the competitive realm of karting. They regulate the sport, ensuring fair play, safety, and structured progression for drivers who seek to take their passion from a hobby to a professional level. The issuance of licenses and supervision of competitions nurture a cadre of professional racers who can compete at a national and international level.
- Innovative Trends: A notable shift in the karting industry is the introduction of electric karts, which offer a cleaner, more sustainable option for the sport. This green initiative aligns with global environmental consciousness and caters to a modern audience that values eco-friendly practices. The adoption of tire recovery and recycling programs also reflects the sport's commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint and promoting a circular economy within its operations.
- World Championships and CIK: Since its inception in 1964, the Kart World Championships, orchestrated by the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK), has been a marquee event that showcases the pinnacle of kart racing talent. It brings together the world's best drivers, serving as a catalyst for innovations in kart design and safety, and contributes to the sport's international exposure and popularity.
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- Last update : 13/12/2021
Summary and extracts
1 Synthèse du marché
1.1 Definition and Introduction
Karting is a motor sport practiced on a racing track using a kart which is a small single-seater car with four wheels, without bodywork, gearbox or suspension.
Karting practice takes two main forms: leisure or competition. The first of these two forms is intended for people who occasionally rent karts for racing sessions. Friendly challenges can also be organized. On the other hand, competitive karting is a real sport that requires a license from the FFSA (French Federation of Automotive Sports) or UFOLEP (French Union of Secular Physical Education Works). There are also two types of circuits, namely indoor and outdoor.
The global karting market is growing. As such, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% until 2022. The first kart ever to be built was made in the United States in 1956. However, Europe soon took an interest in this sport and Kart World championships are being organized since 1964 by the CIK (Commission Internationale de Karting).
In France, leisure go-karting has been widely democratized among people looking for thrills, with maximum safety and at a reduced cost. The FFSA counts more than 50,000 licensees for all its sports in France (the number of licensees for karting alone is estimated at more than 15,000) and 5 million people have already tried it. In addition, we count 350 go-karting venues in France according to EY Barometre. The number of licensees, however, is going down as karting schools fail to convert amateur users and due to the cost of owning a kart.
The market is very fragmented with independent practice sites and some franchises, especially in the Indoor Karting segment with K1Speed for example (leading karting company worldwide).
New trends have been observed in the practice of this sport, especially regarding the ecological transition with the development of electric karts and the implementation of collection systems for the recovery and recycling of tires.
List of charts
- Nombre de licenciés de sport automobile en France
- Recreational and sports services as a proportion of cultural and leisure spending
- Google Trends QSR
- Répartition des licenciés de sport automobile par sexe
- Répartition des types de circuits
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Latest news
K1 Speed Lyon: karting for businesses - 02/03/2020
- K1 Speed opened its doors in Lyon on October 12, 2018.
- The K1 Speed group is an American company with 32 of its own sites in the United States and 10 franchise sites in the rest of the world.
- The K1 Speed center in Lyon is the first in Europe, with another planned to open in Paris soon. The company is also considering opening centers in other major cities.
- K1 Speed offers 100% electric karts.
- K1 Speed Lyon has three seminar rooms, two for 20 people and one for 120.
- K1 Speed Lyon also has four racing simulators.
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