The year 2006 proved to be a difficult period for the England Deaf Karting Team under Carlo Hunter’s leadership as Chairperson. Despite the momentum built in previous years, the club faced significant challenges in organising the English Open Deaf Championship. Entry numbers were very low, and Carlo, together with the committee, made the decision to cancel the event due to insufficient participation, which was lower than expected.
This was largely due to the difficulty of reaching and connecting with the widely dispersed deaf community across the country at that time, when communication channels were still limited and relied heavily on word of mouth, posters, and personal contact.
The reduced participation had a wider impact on the team’s development and future planning. With fewer drivers available and limited consistent involvement, it became increasingly difficult to assess competitive standards or build a strong and reliable squad. At this point, EDKT was close to collapse, but Carlo refused to give up on the organisation.
After reviewing the situation, Carlo made the difficult decision not to select an England Deaf Karting Team for the Tri-Nations Deaf Karting Cup that year. This resulted in England’s absence from international competition for the season. The decision was based on a shortage of drivers performing at a sufficiently competitive level, as well as a lack of funding required to support an international campaign. Although it was a setback, it reflected Carlo’s commitment to maintaining standards rather than entering teams without adequate preparation.
Following these challenges, Carlo took decisive action to rebuild the structure of the organisation. He removed and restructured the existing committee and began laying the foundations for a new approach to leadership and development. This marked a turning point, as he focused on resetting the organisation, improving communication, and preparing a stronger foundation for the future.
Despite the difficulties, Carlo remained committed to rebuilding EDKT. At the end of 2006, he set up a new website to improve communication, increase visibility, and make it easier to reach and engage the deaf community. This initiative was aimed at boosting participation and encouraging higher turnout for the 2007 season, laying the groundwork for a stronger return to competition.