I remember model engineers; me and a couple of mate raced there, was a great showcase for the sport.
Demos are a must IMO; I've recently returned to RC in the SE (after a 15year plus break) and the club scene has been decimated compared to when I last raced; tracks gone, low entries etc, and yet IMO the actual cost of competing has come down with Lipo, brushless etc. (Still got daft costly tyre compounds but that's a whole different argument!)
I originally joined my local RC club after they ran a demo at a really low key local car show; the local model shop had asked them to do it, and I ran my Tamiya Terra Scorcher and of course got totally, roundly thrashed. Everyone was friendly, a few pointers, and before you know it all my paper round money was going on ESC's, new cars, cells, peak charger, LRP, comm lathe etc etc!
Point is if no-one shows the sport off, and makes it a bit accessible, it can't grow. I'd love to see an RTR one make series at local clubs/regional level, a national final with prize being the full race kit/semi supported drive etc. All do-able, but obviously a lot of effort needs to go in and I fully appreciate that takes time and commitment to do.
Incidentally; as a returning competitor, this place was the only place, along with RCtech, to de-mystify any of the new technology. I saw a thread the other day about newbies asking daft questions and not searching the forum; some FAQ's and a get started sticky would work a treat? Even an FAQ explaining why "what's the best ???" is an unanswerable question would be a start. If I hadn't had 7/8 years previous racing experience from 13 to 20 years old I wouldn't have had a clue where to start and would likely have not bothered, whole hobby would just have seemed like another language and too hard to 'get in to.'
All the above not meant to be negative; just agree more 'show races' away from remote RC tracks are a great idea. Great to be back and enjoying the sport again : ) I'm at EPR tomo if anyone's going. This time round I've got all the gear and no talent ; )
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