I think Mark is right about the fact a lot of parents nowadays don't interact with there kids. Rather than enjoying something together it's far easier for them to buy a console and just leave the kid in his/her room playing on those......a sad indictment of today's society I'm afraid
I'm on a very tight budget for this hobby but I've managed to set my son up with my old 210 and saddles I had for it,£35 2.4 etronix radio gear and reventon combo for £65.
I've grown up with model boats/cars,my dad and eldest brother started with boats over 50 years ago and it's just carried on from there. A lot of people who race with there kids today have either raced many years ago and just got back into it or have been doing it for years and it's just a natural progression for there kids to do it as well.....like mine hopefully.
Like I said earlier,for the euro's,local media need to be involved which James is doing. If manufacturers could supply say five cars each that are good to go there's always a chance of getting new people hooked.