Originally Posted by Serzoni

I beg to differ.. going to a motor that is only used for VTA ruined it for many. Now if someone wants to start out in VTA and then step up to another class, they have to buy a new motor (roughly $75), tires ($40), and a body ($25-30). When 21.5 was still the spec, they could have switched over to RCGT or some other slow class with just a change of the body and tires. I know personally that I was going to finally go brushless with mine until the 25.5 rule landed. I've been a holdout running the 4-cell/27t setup until they finally could decide on a set of rules and stick with them. Another problem is that some tracks require a 25.5, while some still allow the 21.5 configuration... so which one do you lay down the money for? This hobby isn't cheap, but I'm not going to keep forking out more cash for motors to run VTA than I do the fast classes. That's just bass-ackwards.

Originally Posted by Evoracer

Oh that's just not nice !!

Lots of good ideas though. I noticed some people mentioning dropping numbers due to rules changing for VTA ,TC and GT. Brings up a point though that we don't often think about. VTA has had 1 major rule change and yes, it hasn't been popular in some peoples minds BUT...that was not the fault of VTA. In order to keep the focus on what the class is designed to be the organizers HAVE to react to the changes in the technology. Thats a fact of life in every technology oriented market. If that wasn't the case, we'd all still be using computers from 5 years ago. In our case, the updated technology directly impacts performance and THAT can make huge problems in spec oriented classes, which should be the largest percentage of racers. RCGT is a perfect example. It started as a way to make racing more affordable, realistic and less "gotta have the fastest, most expensive technology out there". It started great. It failed because nobody reacted to the tech explosion that created secondary issues. Costs increaed dramatically, tires weren't able to handle the higher level of performance so they wore out quickly and made driving harder for newer drivers + the cost when up because you had to replace them more often. Get the picture ?? Higher cost, more skill required, less fun !! Hmmmm....can you spell recipe for disaster !!?? NOW look at RCGT....very few original RCGT programs. Most others are some form of it and are different around the country.
You'll never be able to make every class what everybody wants !! What would happen if 21.5 were the standard for VTA, GT and TC? Holy crap, peple would drop out left and right because they don't want 21.5. How about 17.5 !? Same problem in reverse....too fast for VTA and GT. Tires wear out, harder to do as a newbie, costs go up. Sound familiar ??
Too many people want to race too many classes but they don't want to commit to 1 or 2. You are not the key to on road. The key is in developing NEW people and you MUST provide for them AND those who don't want to become so "hard core" about racing RC. It's a hobby...not a sport.
We as racers, hobby shop owners and club directors get WAY too focused on trying to satisfy the one group that we shouldn't....those who are already in the hobby at whatever level. I'm not increasing my racer numbers by changing my rules because the guy who drives TC also wants to race VTA but doesn't want to buy another motor/esc/or car. I increase my numbers by offering stable classes where the commitment is to LIMIT the number of changes expected due to technology changes. VTA has done that. TCS has done that and had a long,successful program. GT has a chance but not there yet.
No matter what, WE are to blame. Stop looking for ways to make 1 car do it all. Start realizing that we have some great classes and they have their own value but if you don't want to spend on it then don't piss on the rest who might. Those are the people who AREN'T getting involved.

Originally Posted by DARKSIDE

I did say VTA, ?

Originally Posted by Xpress

About 400 times too many in every thread on this forum.

Originally Posted by nf_ekt

1/12 is a great class, hope it really is on the rise. i don't know why it has been mostly ignored for so long. I mean, the kits are cheaper, there are less parts to deal with, the batteries are cheaper, the electronics usually last a long time, and with pre-trued tires available how much easier can it get? Everything is link now, so dealing with t-bars that tweak and break easily are no-more. Spend a little time on set-up and they drive like a dream, so much more fun to drive in my opinion. I think it comes down to people always wanting something that resembles the actual cars you see on the streets? I dunno, I'm just saying it is an answer that is ignored all to often.

Originally Posted by JR007

I believe the BEST way to revive on-road racing, is to stop changing the bloody rules! Make a rule, stick with it, people will adjust.
Seriously, if people are going to quit RC over a rule they don't like, they probably don't love racing anyway

Originally Posted by Rick Hohwart