Just saw this thread at the top of the forum contents... its revival is purposeful.
As a newcomer, I have found the content to be valuable. For those that have read my intro, you know I am a gearhead. But my knowledge of karts is next to nothing (changing quickly, thank you). I too see the progressive change in youth and the cause is parenting. I raised 3 girls, 2 almost completely on my own. While they are girlie girls, with their make-up, fancy nails and frilly dresses; they can also change their own oil, do a brake job, are skilled with guns, and love to play football in the backyard with Dad. With them all on their own now, I have been entertaining the boys and girls in my cul-de-sac with the kart. These kids had no idea anything like this existed. Why? Their parents are working. I think most of them are involved in the tech sector... they spend their days in front of a computer. When and if I see them outside, they are staring at their phone. That's what these kids know. Introduce them to the experience of something, anything, that engages the senses beyond visual and the "kid" inside wakes up. I am witnessing this personally. They hang around waiting for my garage door to open. They want to pull the cord and get the engine started. They want to know how it works and of course, drive it. They play rock/paper/scissors to determine who rides first, second, third, so-on. The look on their faces when they pull up to the curb makes me laugh out loud. I'm pretty sure the parents are getting requests for karts and I am scheming to start my own little kart club, make a track out of pylons at the local empty parking lot and hold time trials. We'll see.
So yeah, keep it going. I'll make an attempt to do my part.