It's all about the money..
Just an opinion..but the manufactures are pushing 1/8 scale very hard here in the "states",One of the problems i see with that is cost,lack of tracks that are willing to run 1/8 scale due to the size needed.Most of the guys I know that own 1/8 scale buggies Don't even race..But they do pay attention to the big races and what buggy wins.So vgerdes is 100% correct on his comment.I dont think you will see a lot of Americans racing in the 1/8 scale classes at the worlds..on road or off road.It's just not that poplar here like it is in the rest of the world.I do think that Kyosho should have tried to keep Kortz and Tebo,They are some of the Best R&D guy's around..
I don't think Kyosho's 1/8 scale budget is very big for the U.S and the drivers just wanted to get Paid..more