211LikesA CRY FOR HELP (RC tracks Closing)
01-28-2019, 05:58 PM
#76
Man, this thread hits the spot. I have 1/12 carpet pan cars with no place to race. I haven't seen a track nearby in 10yrs. 
01-28-2019, 07:07 PM
#77
When my then BFF and I were 15 years old we bought a 14' John Boat and then built a deck in between the 2 seat decks with a live well and we used a 15HP Mercury tiller motor and we would KILL the pros in tourneys.
01-28-2019, 07:47 PM
#78
Tech Initiate
I hear about tracks closing down but i wonder if it is the hobby shop + track combination because the track I race at on a good day has 6 or 7 people show up on a race day and its been running for a very long time we pay 40 dollars a year for membership and 15 a race day, the hobby shop and track idea should be scraped in my opinion
01-28-2019, 08:16 PM
#79
Tech Prophet
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I hear about tracks closing down but i wonder if it is the hobby shop + track combination because the track I race at on a good day has 6 or 7 people show up on a race day and its been running for a very long time we pay 40 dollars a year for membership and 15 a race day, the hobby shop and track idea should be scraped in my opinion
There are an easy dozen buildings I know off that haven’t been used in years. But would cost small fortune to clean out, a build a even basic facility.
01-29-2019, 02:06 AM
#80
Tech Master
a building.
city permits and inspections. almost impossible to pass in a timely manner.
rent / mortgage
Fire Marshall inspections, almost as bad as city inspections.
insurance for property
insurance for liability
Electric, think of 40 racers needing 15 amp service EACH and power the building services... so a building having 1,000 amp service... MINIMUM
Heat
water
sewer
personal, even operator needs a paycheck.
repairs
maintenance
you think of your home rent or mortgage and the PLUS is costly..
you have NO idea for a business, unless you own one.
rc tracks. I used to race at WERE
closed food store
closed Store Front, strip mall.
closed bowling alley
closed restaurant
closed school.. gym and class rooms
closed food store basement.
closed car repair garage.
follow a trend.. old buildings.. that had Failed businesses
go take the Small Business Administration CLASSES... for starting a business
city permits and inspections. almost impossible to pass in a timely manner.
rent / mortgage
Fire Marshall inspections, almost as bad as city inspections.
insurance for property
insurance for liability
Electric, think of 40 racers needing 15 amp service EACH and power the building services... so a building having 1,000 amp service... MINIMUM
Heat
water
sewer
personal, even operator needs a paycheck.
repairs
maintenance
you think of your home rent or mortgage and the PLUS is costly..
you have NO idea for a business, unless you own one.
rc tracks. I used to race at WERE
closed food store
closed Store Front, strip mall.
closed bowling alley
closed restaurant
closed school.. gym and class rooms
closed food store basement.
closed car repair garage.
follow a trend.. old buildings.. that had Failed businesses
go take the Small Business Administration CLASSES... for starting a business
Last edited by chuck_thehammer; 01-29-2019 at 02:17 AM.
01-29-2019, 05:52 AM
#81
Tech Prophet
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I too am worried about all the knock off companies showing up, a lot of people just getting in the hobby don’t realize what there buying and get a bad taste from crappy products. But i also understand why they get so much business, this hobby is not cheap and can be really intimidating when just getting started. For me when I got started in crawling 6 years ago I thought if I didn’t buy every option part that my car would not perform at all and be a waste of time. But it is concerning that a lot of good tracks and stores are closing, but everything is about price and people would rather save a couple bucks and go online. Don’t get me wrong not all hobby shops are created equal but if your lucky enough to have a good one close to you support it. Btw love the channel and always look forward to new videos.
All of these are great and valid points. Honestly what might help the most is if the pioneers/professionals in the hobby are asked questions on how to get into the hobby,specifics on “how to “ do a build they have watched someone else do , or simple/general track set up questions, etc. That these Proffesionals took the time to actually respond to people.
There are a lot of (professionals) in the hobby that don’t reply to emails,messages etc from people who have had there interest peaked by the hobby in one form or another. SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE. Yes I know you can watch videos on just about anything now days but if someone is asking you a direct question on a build,set up,parts #, fabricating,track set up and you can’t take 5 minutes out of your day or week to reply? Well then you are part of the problem. Track , magazine and store closings are probably a part of life and will always happen but without helping out the average Joe hobbiest / newb the hobby will no doubt continue to have its ups and downs.
In closing there are a TON of good people in the hobby that do take the time to others. I’m just saying if your reading this and you have to think about it then you are probably part of the problem. Just one mans opinion.
All of these are great and valid points. Honestly what might help the most is if the pioneers/professionals in the hobby are asked questions on how to get into the hobby,specifics on “how to “ do a build they have watched someone else do , or simple/general track set up questions, etc. That these Proffesionals took the time to actually respond to people.
There are a lot of (professionals) in the hobby that don’t reply to emails,messages etc from people who have had there interest peaked by the hobby in one form or another. SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE. Yes I know you can watch videos on just about anything now days but if someone is asking you a direct question on a build,set up,parts #, fabricating,track set up and you can’t take 5 minutes out of your day or week to reply? Well then you are part of the problem. Track , magazine and store closings are probably a part of life and will always happen but without helping out the average Joe hobbiest / newb the hobby will no doubt continue to have its ups and downs.
In closing there are a TON of good people in the hobby that do take the time to others. I’m just saying if your reading this and you have to think about it then you are probably part of the problem. Just one mans opinion.
01-29-2019, 06:19 AM
#82
While I agree that companies should have protection from "direct copy/clones", I have a greater appreciation of "reverse engineered" designs which improve upon the original design. For example, there are many aftermarket brands which offer more tuning options with geometry that you just can't get from the OEM. This breeds competition not only on the track, but also in the marketplace as more brands continue to expand innovation (on copied designs) which are improved upon.
In contrast, I have a bigger concern with Traxxas who has morphed into a "Patent Troll" and have abused the system which has effectively eliminated their competition which in turn stifles innovation, if nothing is done to stop them, then my biggest fear is that Traxxas will develop a monopoly which is currently the path they are systematically doing, more on my thoughts here: Boycott Traxxas
I know that Traxxas will threaten to revoke the dealer status from a hobby shop if they carry too many parts from competing brands, shops lose the ability to run the business the way they want... another prime example is DollarHobbyz who used to chop up RTR's from Traxxas and sell parts for about 50% off, but about 2 years ago they sent a statement that Traxxas threatened to revoke their dealer discount if they didn't change their whole business model and have since been forced to sell Traxxas parts at full price with Traxxas labeled parts bags... shrug
In contrast, I have a bigger concern with Traxxas who has morphed into a "Patent Troll" and have abused the system which has effectively eliminated their competition which in turn stifles innovation, if nothing is done to stop them, then my biggest fear is that Traxxas will develop a monopoly which is currently the path they are systematically doing, more on my thoughts here: Boycott Traxxas
I know that Traxxas will threaten to revoke the dealer status from a hobby shop if they carry too many parts from competing brands, shops lose the ability to run the business the way they want... another prime example is DollarHobbyz who used to chop up RTR's from Traxxas and sell parts for about 50% off, but about 2 years ago they sent a statement that Traxxas threatened to revoke their dealer discount if they didn't change their whole business model and have since been forced to sell Traxxas parts at full price with Traxxas labeled parts bags... shrug
01-29-2019, 07:47 AM
#83
Tech Prophet
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While I agree that companies should have protection from "direct copy/clones", I have a greater appreciation of "reverse engineered" designs which improve upon the original design. For example, there are many aftermarket brands which offer more tuning options with geometry that you just can't get from the OEM. This breeds competition not only on the track, but also in the marketplace as more brands continue to expand innovation (on copied designs) which are improved upon.
In contrast, I have a bigger concern with Traxxas who has morphed into a "Patent Troll" and have abused the system which has effectively eliminated their competition which in turn stifles innovation, if nothing is done to stop them, then my biggest fear is that Traxxas will develop a monopoly which is currently the path they are systematically doing, more on my thoughts here: Boycott Traxxas
I know that Traxxas will threaten to revoke the dealer status from a hobby shop if they carry too many parts from competing brands, shops lose the ability to run the business the way they want... another prime example is DollarHobbyz who used to chop up RTR's from Traxxas and sell parts for about 50% off, but about 2 years ago they sent a statement that Traxxas threatened to revoke their dealer discount if they didn't change their whole business model and have since been forced to sell Traxxas parts at full price with Traxxas labeled parts bags... shrug
In contrast, I have a bigger concern with Traxxas who has morphed into a "Patent Troll" and have abused the system which has effectively eliminated their competition which in turn stifles innovation, if nothing is done to stop them, then my biggest fear is that Traxxas will develop a monopoly which is currently the path they are systematically doing, more on my thoughts here: Boycott Traxxas
I know that Traxxas will threaten to revoke the dealer status from a hobby shop if they carry too many parts from competing brands, shops lose the ability to run the business the way they want... another prime example is DollarHobbyz who used to chop up RTR's from Traxxas and sell parts for about 50% off, but about 2 years ago they sent a statement that Traxxas threatened to revoke their dealer discount if they didn't change their whole business model and have since been forced to sell Traxxas parts at full price with Traxxas labeled parts bags... shrug
Traxxas doesn’t care about RC racing. Hasn’t in the 8 years I’ve been in the hobby and doing just fine without. If they thought they could make money by owning tracks, or creating their own race series. I’m sure they would. But they see where they hobby has moved to.
01-29-2019, 08:24 AM
#84
I think Traxxas is the only brand in off-road racing that has a dedicated "Spec Slash" class at many clubs, even in oval racing there is a "Mud Boss" class that is catered to the Slash. I believe Traxxas has far more influence in the racing community than you realize.
01-29-2019, 09:13 AM
#85
Tech Prophet
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I think Traxxas is the only brand in off-road racing that has a dedicated "Spec Slash" class at many clubs, even in oval racing there is a "Mud Boss" class that is catered to the Slash. I believe Traxxas has far more influence in the racing community than you realize.
I do know the recent 4tec2.0 has given a number a reason to consider on road. And a few have been running a class based of it.
01-29-2019, 09:22 AM
#86
How about we ditch these high cost indoor AC tracks, and build more tracks in a field in BFE. In the 80s when I started on the east coast, tracks were in the middle of no where in a field. We charged off out car batteries of generators. Also, the European model of renting a gym, and laying down carpet and jumps, is another cheaper options to 24/7 rent on a building. If your building rent is 20K a month, that is hard to maintain in RC.
01-29-2019, 09:33 AM
#87
Tech Addict
Dont forget the rising cost to get into the hobby. For 1/10 touring, the cutting edge kits Are well over 500 bucks with nothing But a bare chassis. Sure budget oriented chassises do exist, But for those
who want to be on the front, they just need
a little bit edge that cost a fortune. I have no objection towards getting faster. But when someone is looking at 500 plus for a bare chassis, It makes me wonder, Are we racing for fun or Are we getting a bit too serious?
who want to be on the front, they just need
a little bit edge that cost a fortune. I have no objection towards getting faster. But when someone is looking at 500 plus for a bare chassis, It makes me wonder, Are we racing for fun or Are we getting a bit too serious?
01-29-2019, 09:39 AM
#88
Tech Prophet
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How about we ditch these high cost indoor AC tracks, and build more tracks in a field in BFE. In the 80s when I started on the east coast, tracks were in the middle of no where in a field. We charged off out car batteries of generators. Also, the European model of renting a gym, and laying down carpet and jumps, is another cheaper options to 24/7 rent on a building. If your building rent is 20K a month, that is hard to maintain in RC.
The field is owned by someone. Not everyone just gonna let a group come in a use it. Most schools either use their gyms on weekends or due to insurance reasons can’t allow outside use
01-29-2019, 10:03 AM
#89
Tech Master
rc indoor tracks have air conditioning ??? never seen that.
indoor is Winter... way to hot indoors for summer. and the Ohio humidity is unbearable.
outdoor is summer. when dry..
where I race now ... its owned by a RV camp ground... for winter racing...outdoor... dirt.
they have been racing here for many years... me, 2 winters. well this is my second winter.
dirt is not easy, when you are used to Carpet. pan car
indoor is Winter... way to hot indoors for summer. and the Ohio humidity is unbearable.
outdoor is summer. when dry..
where I race now ... its owned by a RV camp ground... for winter racing...outdoor... dirt.
they have been racing here for many years... me, 2 winters. well this is my second winter.
dirt is not easy, when you are used to Carpet. pan car
01-29-2019, 10:03 AM
#90
Outdoor tracks work in warm climates. What about the other half of the country? Outdoor season is about 20 weeks in Chicagoland. Probably going to loose couple to rain minimum.
The field is owned by someone. Not everyone just gonna let a group come in a use it. Most schools either use their gyms on weekends or due to insurance reasons can’t allow outside use
. Outdoor tracks in a field, often involve someone into RC building a track on their own land. Then the club members help build and maintain the track. All I am saying is, when your costs out weight your profits, you close. How do you fix that? Lower your costs....You will never stop people from shopping online. The only thing you can control is your own cost structure.