Quote:
Originally posted by project935
Kinda a shame the "glory days" of R/C racing are over - I was into it BIG TIME in the early 90's. Racing is still going on, but it's no where near as popular as it used to be ... the good kept getting better - spending tons of $ - and it eventually scared the newbies away.
I still have all my old stuff - most of them are the great-great grandparents of what you can get today.
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I know what you mean; I was racing through the '80's and 90's. I got out of it as other responsibilities took priority. I'm back into it again, this time with my 13 year old son. It's amazing how sophisticated (and expensive) the modern equipment has become. We race on-road, mainly 1/10 touring cars. Gas outdoors and electric indoors. We recently picked up the old 1/12 scale pan class again, and have been instrumental in reviving it at our local indoor carpet track. The folks that grew up on touring cars can't believe how (relatively) cheap and easy it is. It's amazing to me what these folks are willing to spend on toy cars these days. It's gotten so expensive that kids just can't compete. A competitive touring car, gas or electric, will set you back about a grand by the time you get everything you need. 1/8th on-road, my favorite class "back in the day" is completely absurd today. Race engines are pushing $600-$800, cars are over $500, tires run close to $50 for a set of four, etc. The fast guys bring at least two engines to a race, go through two or three sets of tires in one 45 minute main; it adds up to a couple hundred dollar day to race toy cars in the "big leagues". That is after an initial investment, to get started in 1/8 on-road, of at least two grand; more if you want top drawer equipment. Yikes. How did it ever get this far? I feel like the old frog in the boiling water; all of these guys have been in it for years so they didn't notice what was happening, but I just jumped back in and cannot believe where it has gone. You are right; attendance is way down. The racing is no better, just vastly more expensive. For what it costs to run 1/8 on-road, I'll buy something I can sit in, like a go-cart or something. As an aside, check out the Serpant website. They have a vested interest in 1/8 on-road. They know there is a problem, and it sounds like they might be trying to do something about it before it is too late. I hope they succeed; I want back in 1/8 scale.