Originally Posted by OldskoolRCFan

I've been away from RC racing for the better part of 15yrs now & just found out there's a local track that runs indoors on carpet during the fall - spring season. checking the rules and doing some research into some of the changes since my tc3 last chased for podium spots (she's still got the same P2k 19t in it, XD ) anyways I found that they run USGT & other classes. I know the tc3 is a dinosaur these days but it's not like I'd be running in the nationals. basically looking to get back in the saddle without selling a kidney.

So I've got a few questions for anyone in the know:

1) why is it that there's only the GRC2000 as an approved motor? checking A Main there's 4 lower priced fixed timing 21.5t motors from Trinity, Reedy, Hobbywing & Ruddog(?). while it's nice to have only 1 stock spec motor it's kind of a monopoly considering that gravity also is the exclusive tire supplier as well. the reason why this is an issue is that in Canada the only places that have inventory available for the GRC2000 are charging 15-20% more than the stores that are sold out. (sold out stores are selling at msrp converted from usd to cad)

2) Roar approval of blinky ESC's. checking the approved page they seem to be lacking in approving. For example the oldest info I could find on the quicrun 10bl60 was 2018, checking the manual it has a zero timing mode and according to internet search it does blink in that timing mode. Again due to living in Canada the amount of available esc's is less / overpriced compared to south of the border. I can get a 10bl60 for half the price as the "roar approved" next lowest priced Hobbywing.
Is this a normal thing or am I finding an old "approved" list?

It kind of seems like the hobby has taken a step backwards, instead of having a spec class where multiple companies vie for our business by producing good products and competition drives the price down. we have classes & organizations that promote certain brands to have monopolies & thus are charging more.

So total to get the tc3 back on the track in full compliance of USGT rules:
$50 for a set of USGT tires
$130 for a GRC2000
$100 for a XR10 Justock GS3

Cheaper to go buy a TTGT car. no wonder they're so popular