Economy goes up and down... first things to be affected are the leisure and porn industry (Fact.).
Drop in numbers at the race track, but then a fair few people are putting their 4x4's in the garage for a few months and not taking that holiday this year.
Personally, my GF makes me go racing so she doesn't have to deal with me being restless.
Saying that, i am all for independant teams, people working to support each other and go racing in groups... makes it a more social outing as well. Good luck!