I also think that one of the things that put people off is the the thought of having to go and buy new stuff.
And there seems to be a mentality that you need to go out and buy mega bucks electrics to be competetive if you're thrown in with the nitro lads. But you don't.
Look at what you would spend on a nitro buggy to be competetive and you would probably only spend the same to get up and running with electric, possibly less.
This year I've been on a budget for the E8 Nats I run a Vorza Flux RTR (I chose this one due to the parts being interchangable with the D8 that I run). Ok this is the more expensive of HPI's RTR's at £654rrp but it has all you need other than the cells which cost me £90 for 2 5000mah 4s Lipo. But the car leading the E8 Nationals at the moment is the Trophy which is £409rrp and once again it comes with everything other than cells at a price that is less than most 'pro' E8 kits alone.
When it first kicked off, you probably did have buy expensive speedo and motor combo's that were more than what the RTR's cost, but now there are plenty of ESC's out there for about £90 that are more than capable of doing the job, with combos at less than £150. A pack of LiPos can be bought for around £45 for the 5000mah which are more than enough for doing the National spec 15min finals. Ok if you run with the nitro lads you will have to spend more to last the 20mins+ finals.
But the main thing I found an advantage about the E8 is the fact that I can turn up and race....on my own, without the need for pitmen. Doing the nitro nationals this year has been a pain in the bum, having to run around to get someone willing to stand around for 15-20mins, when they could be working on their own car. But the E8 Nats have been great because I can just turn up and race without having to worry anyone else.
The pricing thing is the same whenever a new class kicks off, everyone thinks they have to buy the best equipment to compete. But a year into the class and everyone realises that you don't need to buy all those megabuck items and things do get cheaper.
I don't understand the mentality of the nitro guys that say "You'll never catch me running Electric 8th! They're not proper cars!". For a start, they're the same cars, just different running gear and if they keep a scale of racing alive when there are more and more clubs being closed down due to noise polution then who cares as long as we can all go and race?
The best thing is, some of those people that have tried it have really enjoyed it and can see it as a way of getting practice in quietly rather than causing any noisy problems with the local residents. AND they said they will be back for more racing with them.
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