It is easy to follow an athlete through social media; it is something entirely different to be there in person and find yourself at the heart of the action. Of course, that depends on the sport. As we have already said on several occasions regarding the accessibility of sports, certain disciplines suffer from a lack of visibility and a lack of understanding among the general public. This is something that athletes in motorsport explain particularly well: reaching the top is a long, difficult, expensive, and adventurous journey (see the Isack Hadjar interviews).

But what people often forget to show us is the community surrounding these sports: the spectators, the families, the employees, the teams. The world of karting is fascinating from the outside and even more interesting once you have a foot in it.
You have probably seen him on your social media feeds. In his search for sponsors, young Gabin Léger managed to shine a spotlight on himself through a strategy based on transparency and accountability. Throughout that process, we saw him face setbacks and difficult moments, but we also saw him achieve results and gain visibility that led to new opportunities. This young star is one of the first drivers we see upon arriving at the Sologne Karting circuit in Salbris. Around fifty garages, paddocks — call them whatever you like.



The road is a long one before reaching the athlete we came to see, Benjamin Brienne, but it gives us the opportunity to observe the various drivers, their facilities, and the resources available to each of them. Between the French national team and its truck that seems as long as the starting grid itself, the team equipped with an awning featuring automatic doors, and the more family-oriented operations made up of two drivers accompanied by their parents, it quickly becomes clear that this sport is not built on equality of means.
Here we are with Team Diamond. Kart number 243 is the one we must not lose sight of. Perfectly embodying the Summer Body No Need spirit, Benjamin arrives right in the middle of lunch break, holding a McDonald's meal in his hands. We meet the discreet Tiago and the energetic Teddy, who complete the Diamond squad. This weekend they have eight drivers competing across three different categories. A tremendous amount of work falls on the mechanics, who operate entirely behind the scenes. They make adjustments, often without even having watched the race itself, relying on data as well as the feedback provided by the athlete.
For the free practice session, Benjamin heads out at the very front of the queue in order to enjoy a clear track and set the best possible lap without traffic. But of course, for the sake of life's storytelling needs, nothing goes according to plan. From the very first acceleration, our young driver shakes his head "no." Standing helplessly beside his parents, we can do nothing but speculate. It takes until the third lap before we finally see him display his true pace.
Unfortunately, by then it is already too late. He finds himself stuck in traffic and cannot fully exploit the capabilities of his kart. He now knows which qualifying group he belongs to. A podium seems difficult to target, but in reality that is not necessarily what drivers are aiming for. Points are what matter most, and those depend on finishing positions. A podium is obviously beneficial, but it is not the ultimate objective.
It is at this moment that we discover that karting and motorsports are anything but individual sports. The thought strikes us, and we even begin to wonder whether such a thing as an "individual sport" truly exists.
Indeed, once back under the team tent, the discussions between Tiago and Benjamin seem to provide both drivers with new ideas and new perspectives, not only regarding their karts but also their approach to the circuit itself. By his own admission, Benjamin "woke up too late" during this race weekend. On Sunday, despite technical issues, he produced his best performance, finishing right on the edge of the points after delivering the exact race he needed in the final stages.



On the other side, for Tiago Cardoso, Benjamin Brienne's closest teammate, from the same generation and competing in the same category, the weekend ended with a race victory. A genuine step forward for both the team and the driver himself. Almost as if it were there to prove that success is possible and to provide Benjamin with both hope and motivation.
Benjamin leaves this weekend with a wealth of experience. Since then, more races have followed, as our favourite driver continues trying to compete as often as possible, even though it is far from easy. Karting races are extremely expensive, and despite an apprenticeship program and a handful of sponsors helping him finance his season, Benjamin Brienne is confronted with the harsh reality of motorsport.
That is why we would like to highlight the association he created, which allows him to continue pursuing his ambitions within the sport. Through the following link (link), you will find the opportunity to make a donation that is 66% tax-deductible and help support the career of our favourite driver.
In the meantime, do not hesitate to follow Benjamin. Between endurance racing, recreational karting, and competitive karting, there will be no shortage of motorsport content. We hope to join him again at another race weekend later this year and see him shine in the way he intends to.