I want to know if you think, the economy will increase or decrease participation in the entire sport of R/C.

Historically RC in general grew during the 80's and early 90's. Both were during recessions. Most of the current racers are from that time.

I say, if things are approached correctly they will grow.

Even $1,000 or so in R/C is much more affordable than a $20,000 BASS Boat or some of the other expensive hobbies that a lot of the guys I've known over the years who have left R/C have gone to.

In a time where people may look for more affordable hobbies, closer to home...it could be a grand time for the growth of local track turnout.

I've seen some very affordable options these days for equipment

Things from Cheap 'Silver Can' brushed motors with spec packs in LEGENDS cars....to the US VTA class using the older Touring Cars with 4 cell and STOCK 27t brushed motors, (I've seen a couple tracks using the SILVER CAN Brushed motors w/ 6 cell in these too)

Even the COMPETITION Oval Classes with the Brushless and LIPO options are much more affordable in comparison to some of the old days stuff, mainly do to the durability and consistency of the performance of these products.

I'm sure the Economy will hurt some of the long time racers, especially some that were already right on the edge or had job security issues...but hopefully everyone will be able to stick it out - and with any luck things will actually grow.

I think the local tracks will be ok. But the bigger events may see a decline in racers. It is hard to say exactly what it will do to the hobby. I do know of a few guys that were racing full size race cars that are going to sell off everything and look into racing R/C. Only time will tell.

Just look back, http://www.rcracecars.com/whip/

this was during one of the worse recessions.

I beleive we all need a way to express our desires and needs. Rc Car , planes and boats picked up when i was around back in the day, when the economy was hurting. Look at that link and then look at the markets. Interesting one of our legendary tracks were operating full speed ahead back then.

at the 2 tracks I know of, one has an increase of the cheap cars, (slider, mini T, ect) but the 1/10 scale has all but ended in stock (21.5/4 cell or 27t/ 4600).
Where I race I had to upgrade from 27t/4600 to 17.5/lipo because the racers from old stock went to 21.5/3000 spec/truck or to 17.5/lipo. only 3 racers run 21.5/lipo3200.

so I spent $500.00 so I could race something, I think the extra speed will be a problem. (YES I ordered this stuff from my local race track)
I had no other class to race...
all of my brushed stuff is worthless. dyno/lathe/charger/ you get the idea( big money)

at the 2 tracks I know of, one has an increase of the cheap cars, (slider, mini T, ect) but the 1/10 scale has all but ended in stock (21.5/4 cell or 27t/ 4600).
Where I race I had to upgrade from 27t/4600 to 17.5/lipo because the racers from old stock went to 21.5/3000 spec/truck or to 17.5/lipo. only 3 racers run 21.5/lipo3200.

so I spent $500.00 so I could race something, I think the extra speed will be a problem. I had no place else to go...
all of my brushed stuff is worthless. dyno/lathe/charger/ you get the idea( big money)

oh i agree, if i would have returned about 3 years ago. some of my really old school stuff would have still be a benefit. but guess what not anymore.

The racers barely holding on to R/C because the cost will leave. New racers will come from other hobbies where the cost is alot higher: A few examples kart racers, sprint racers, SCCA ect ect.

We have motorcycles, and karts. And I am pushing my kids towards R/C. But it looks like we have just added a sport.

I think the local shows will see some improvement as folks will be looking for something to do that is closer to home and less expensive than some of the bigger vehicle hobbies. Time will tell. I just wish everyone the best in whatever they do no matter what the economy does. There are two kinds of folks, those who keep on keepin on and those who worry about every little thing and seem to get bogged down in it. I hope all you guys as racers just keep on keepin on!

The local indoor track has seen an increase but I think a lot of that has to do with his promotion of the tracks. Biggest growth has been in theSpec/RTR cars. For offroad the Slash class has 10+ each week, the Slider class about the same. The track owner bought some of each and rents them out weekly, many who have rented one have bought one for thier own.

I am sure the drop in gas prices has helped the local track a lot since it's not as expensive to drive 50 miles to get there.

This economy might HURT BIG RACES...but that...might be one the the things that RE-Launches LOCAL racing.

I know the original track I started on back in '85, the thing that alot of people claimed KILLED IT was when guys who raced locally started going other places on off days, then started going on club race days too...

These were the 'better' drivers, but we saw the local turnout drop from 85 racers a night to 60, in a matter of a couple months. That number dropped below 50 less than 6 months later, as more guys started travelling around....

The racers were having a ball, visiting other tracks...most of them never gave a 2nd thought about the impact this had on their local track...and the track didn't do a very good job at finding NEW blood.

Lets face it the bigger the turn outs the more people get interested. New people walk in and see 4 people racing. Hmm it is not that popular, but walk in and see 50 people then WOW.

But those days may be gone, I know that when i raced you had to get there earlier then normal just to get a pit space. It is not like that now. i would say the prime was 88-92 major amount of people. Again during hard times. We had atleast 15-20 full sized dirt and asphalt racers turning to RC to enjoy the racing enviroment. I would say that only 2% stayed in it after the hard economic times. But that is 2% more than before. Off road always has people come and go. It is easier now a days due to RTR's Most leave after they figure out it is harder than it looks.

I think it will pick back up as people running big cars etc wont be able to afford the high cost anymore and will come or go back to rc racing. I remember the late 80's to mid 90's they had to cap the entries at 120 racers. Last couple of years its nice to see more than the regular 25 people show up. The 1/18 scale losi LM and sliders are here at a perfect time with the low cost of racing them.