That sounds fairly accurate compared to prices here. I just ran a big national race here and it cost me 2k for the weekend but I pitted myself and owned all my own stuff. If I had to rent the kart/engine or pay for tent/mechanic it would be in the 5k range probably.
I know it’s not cheap - but racing at higher levels never is. That said, if anything, that seems like a very reasonable price, when weekly testing is included.
They may not have LO206 racing over there but find a (probably slow) class that you can race. It has to be a kart you own yourself - as in pay for the maintenance, damage, tires, rebuilds, logistics, everything. Buy a cheap used package, something popular and local. Figure out how to keep it running, and see how things are. That makes it completely different from rental racing. You don’t have to do it for very long, a couple months will probably be enough. At the end of that time you will have a much better idea of the path you want to take. You can sell the old stuff and put the money into your next direction.
That is very reasonable price.
Consider that only entry fee for every race is appx. 600 EUR. Yo will need a lot of tires for practice days between the races. Than, there is mandatory 2 sets for free practice, qualy and race for each race weekend.
You also have to calculate the costs of engine hours, lot of various spare parts (chain, brakes, sprockets, axles…) Labor of mechanic and coach on the track during race and practice days, transport, accommodation and catering costs for every race, tent space (transport and setup of tent, tools, tables).
Basically, 5K per race is fair price. Good teams from Belgium, UK and NL charge 12-20K per race. Ask Dan Holland, Bouvin or Strawberry.
Also, if you crash often costs will head north very fast. One axle costs 150-220 EUR and it will be bent after every high speed excursion to the grass.
I started karting when I was 15 as well. Did a year in junior X30, two years in senior rotax, and moved to cars afterwards. Don’t come from money, but am trying to make a pro career happen. Getting closer. I second what @tankyx said regarding GT stuff. I am looking at that as well and it is a more viable career path compared to open wheel.
Happy to help however I can. 206 would not be the greatest idea as it’s not the same foundation of a career that TAG karts are.
I read somewhere that F2 Drivers dont even make much money beyond a base wage.
All the money goes towards financing their seat
I did not see it mentioned above, but is KA100 an option in your area? It would provide more of a challenge than 206, but not the Rally Car Passenger experience that would come with X30/Rotax compared to rentals.
nope sorry, we don’t run KA100 in europe