I am amazed that there are so many people so split over this, thinking of their own PT and their own racing. We need to look at a bigger picture than what you have in your car.
The issue is keeping people racing. How? By trying to keep the costs as low as we can. This goes for many items yes, not just PT's, but this latest move does seem as though AMB doesn't want 'fair' competition. Yes, they are in it to make money, any business is. However when it is MRT is berated by some as a copy/inferior etc etc well that's plain wrong. I have no vested interest in MRT but I believe they provided a more aligned version of a PT than other companies due to the cost mainly. As mentioned, MRT bugs aren't just a UK commodity. I have seen these I believe in Hara's car even and others, so it proves they trusted in them working, and rightly so. Now this isn't to say AMB have to go all out to halve their costs, but look at how the AMB/MyLaps PT's have risen in price over the last few years. So much so that even a second hand AMB PT still goes for £50-60 on line second hand !
The BRCA off-road section have said they are moving to RC4. This then meens all those wanting to do nats are forced to have to change from MRT. If a club's unit breaks, they will have to go to RC4. this is a reasonable 'force' to make change.
Now, don't think I don't realise at some point we will have to upgrade. thats a given and i, as are alot of others racers, not stupid enough to know we will have to. But give it time. Allow racers to start moving into it gradually. Most clubs will stick with RC3 for now, so this won't hurt many initially. Those wanting to do nats it will affect now, so the cost (additional to everything else) will be born by them. Once this initial phase is over we will be looking at around the £90 mark for a bug, for each car potentially we use (unless we are happy to swap it between cars).
Ideally, and I believe im right in saying, the issue is that many feel they are going to be pushed into a corner and soon. That is where this thread is coming from, and that is what the majority or racers I feel express in their replys.
I would think at this point it is best, as racers, to approach those clubs you intend on visiting this year. Ask them if they will be going RC4 and when. Work out if it's in your best benefit, and if you can afford to, to change now ready. For me im hoping that there will be no change to those clubs I intend on going to as my racing budget gets smaller and smaller as life costs more and more. For me, that £40 will be needed to pay for a set of tyres, and race fee's at my weekly club, or to pay for my race weekend in 2 weeks etc. It's hadr to say to a racer "it's only £40" when perhaps it's not only, and it's 'nearly all of' for them.
Look at the wider picture, not just within the blinkers.
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