by Maurizio Voltini
Since 1993, the “family” headed by Botho Wagner (from left to right: Botho Wagner, Alice Wagner, Sylvia Suplicki, Marcel Fuchsberger) has been organizing the kart fair in Offenbach, focusing the attention of kart drivers and producers at the beginning of each year.
Again for a weekend this past January, Germany catalyzed the karting world’s attention onto the town of Offenbach am Main, where the 28th edition of the IKA Kartmesse (International Kart-Ausstellung) was held, i.e., the Kart Fair. An event that always offers the measure and pulse of how our kart world is going, a fair attended by both professionals and enthusiasts, who here can find not only the latest industry news and novelties, but also general trends. In fact, 140 exhibitors were present in the exhibition’s 9,000 square meters, of which 70% from outside Germany (and many also from outside Europe) to represent something like 480 brands. In this way, all sectors of the karting industry were represented, from racing to leisure and recreational, including clothing, tools, accessories and equipment, including for tracks and circuits. Despite many positive signs and the presence of many innovative ideas for the next few years, it cannot be ignored that this 2020 edition of the Offenbach Fair has been “limited” compared to the usual. “Economic reasons led to the closure of room A4”, that is, the one furthest from the entrance, explained Marcel Fuchsberger, IKA junior director. He continues: «Due to its position, that area has always been unpopular with visitors and, consequently, also with exhibitors. Therefore, we had to react for 2020. But we have new plans for the future: Hall 4 should become a home for eSports. This field is exploding enormously and it makes sense to give this discipline a platform at the karting fair».