Where did the hobby go ?

[Northy]

I don't think it will Rob, just look at cells and motors, people can not use the power! Many top drivers have only being using 12's in 2wd at Nats this year

G

[Southwell]

I think some team drivers are still useing 3300's and 3700's, i noticed a LOT more wear on my tyres with my 4200's than 3700's and my best result came with 3700's (43rd i think)

[Rob Fitzgerald]

This weekend I ran my B4 with some cheapo stick packs in and a 12t motor - was PLENTY quick enough

After the meet I tried my Pred with a machine wind 12x3 and some unmatched GP3300s - you wouldn't exactly have called it slow.

[sosidge]

The thread seems to have been hijacked again (like all threads like this seem to be) and turned into a debate about costs and a call for controlled class racing.

So I may as well stick my oar in.

The idea that a controlled class will decrease costs and make the racing closer is a MYTH.

You will always find someone that is prepared to spend MORE than you within the controls. If you have a controlled motor, you will find someone that has six of them to find the best. A controlled tyre and you will find someone with a dozen sets made up with different inserts or spikes cut for testing.

And you will also have people that just run with old equipment, are in the bottom half of the scoreboard, and LOVE every minute of it.

At the end of the day the people that win are the best drivers. Money doesn't by good thumbs.

So lets stop the moaning and just enjoy ourselves. It is after all a hobby, very few of us actually get paid for it or have a commercial interest in it.

If you don't like the cost of nationals, stay at the regionals. If you don't like the cost of regionals, stick to your local club. And if you don't like the club, just run it in the garden!

Be excellent to one another, and party on dudes!

[Nick Goodall]

[quote=sosidge;13171]

At the end of the day the people that win are the best drivers. Money doesn't by good thumbs.
[quote]

I do agree with a lot of what you're saying, but from my point of view having finished 4th at the last Euro's i did in 2001 it's frustrating for me to try and have another go at the hobby, knowing i'm not going to really do any good without spending some serious money that i just don't have at the moment, so all in all yeah being a good driver will get you so far, but you still need the good equipment to be able to compete at the highest level, and even on the way up you need to spend good money to compete with those around you and prove you're any good.

I was just pointing out that having to start out again has made me realise just how expensive it is, and i'm not surprised that the amount of "new" racers is rather low..... after all without new racers we're fighting a losing battle

[sosidge]

Nick, I agree with you entirely.

New racers ARE thin on the ground. It's not just the cost of racing to blame, a lot of it is to do with the current populariy of Nitro trucks among beginners. These are not as easy to race as the old Tamiya buggies most of us probably started with more than a decade ago! But that is a whole different debate.

National level is ALWAYS going to be expensive. Perhaps it's fairer for me to say that with similar equipment, the better driver will always win.

But if you stick to regional or club level, it follows that you shouldn't have to spend as much to be competitive.

[Rob Fitzgerald]

I wasn't moaning - honest!

I was trying to get peoples thoughts

I am spending what I want and am having fun

[Nick Goodall]

Originally Posted by sosidge

Nick, I agree with you entirely.

New racers ARE thin on the ground. It's not just the cost of racing to blame, a lot of it is to do with the current populariy of Nitro trucks among beginners. These are not as easy to race as the old Tamiya buggies most of us probably started with more than a decade ago! But that is a whole different debate.

National level is ALWAYS going to be expensive. Perhaps it's fairer for me to say that with similar equipment, the better driver will always win.

But if you stick to regional or club level, it follows that you shouldn't have to spend as much to be competitive.

I will soon let you all know how "competitive" i can be with old gear I'm doing the CML raceway winter series as Lee's a good mate of mine and it's only down the road.... how's this for old skool? RC10 B3, with KO 2015 Servo, KO Radio, LRP IPC Speedo, and possibly 3300 mah Batteries..... oooh and a load of old Proline Tyres from Euro's 99, 2000 and 2001

I'm quite looking forward to it... but feel i may be shocked.

[sosidge]

Originally Posted by Nick Goodall

I'm quite looking forward to it... but feel i may be shocked.

Really? I think you may be pleasantly surprised! I'm sure you'll let us know what "old equipment" can achieve with the right thumbs.

[Nick Goodall]

It would be good if i can just get the thing round well enough without crashing - i've only run 2 battery packs through the car so i'm bound to be a bit rusty but it should be fun....

I will put up a post after the first meeting with details of all expenditure (so far under £150) so it might be interesting.