Originally Posted by
MULMZ2
I agree that things go in cycles and that RC Racers are fickle, but I think there are a few other reasons why racing is not as popular as it once was. No one wants to work together, no one is willing to leave rules alone/abide by them (this is mainly a problem in spec classes), and no one is willing to agree when it comes to rules track to track, every track seems to have a variation of the rule set, and coming to an agreement on things is rare.
I also agree with you that if RC Racing is going to survive some major changes need to occur and that's not going to happen until people's attitudes change. RC Airfields have stability and many have been in the same spot for decades, because people work together, they follow the rules that have been set, and they volunteer their time to maintain the field and this is a major factor as to why Airfields survive. Another factor in their survival is club dues that in some cases help pay the rent. RC Racers don't want to help set up or tear down, they complain when they have to marshal, some of them expect others to clean up after them, and when it comes to getting a track going they aren't willing to work together and/or want someone else to do the work.
^^ Someone said it earlier, it might have been you. But yeah, the surface RC crowd is rule averse and just want to do what they want. Aviation by it's nature is more dangerous and highstakes compared to surface models. So cooperation and strict adherence to rules are necessary for airfields to work smoothly.
When rules aren't followed and everyone doesn't play their roll, accidents are expensive and potentially fatal when a model collides with a spectator or another operator. A level head is absolutely required.
Surface model racing is more forgiving to stupidity and emotional behavior, so stupidity flies more(no pun) at tracks and basher meets. At an airfield there is no room for carelessness, stupid oversights, and emotional outburst. I think this sets the tone for the kind of people that fly model planes versus those who race cars/buggys.
Originally Posted by
jiml
You're not gonna get kids into RC when you can get into a kart at 5 years old
Good point. I almost mentioned karting.