Wow sounds like a lot of you have a lot of different responses and reasons. That's too bad seems like there's a lot to be worked on. I'm brand new, jumped in head first bought a used BD7 just to bash around and have fun with. I live in NH and there is literally NOTHING! If I wanted to race I would have to travel to Conneticut. It just seems like it never really took off up here. When I was a teenager I remember my brother and I used to go to a body shop nearby where they raced for fun. It was great! About 20-25 guys all very friendly and accepting. We all helped each other out . This is back when my Futaba Tx was a tan box with a wheel on the left and a stick for throttle.
Sorry didn't mean to take this in another direction. But I guess what I'm sayin is that if I was hell bent on traveling to a real track 2-3hrs away, and if what you are describing was the general attitude there it would leave a bad taste for me and I would never attempt it again.