Originally Posted by HarryN

You know, this is how the hobby was like for me when I first started in the 1/8 nitro buggy scene. There was some real a-holes at the track I raced at and asking advice was like asking to have sex with their wives/GFs/SOs. Then I went to the 1/10 on-road scene. It was a much better atmosphere, but still, there was some a-holes to kill the scene. But overall, it was a much better atmosphere. Then I switched over to 1/8 on-road. Talk about competitive. It truely is the F1 of on-road racing and forget about asking advice. Unless you knew a team driver or were sponsored, no one was going to help you. Then I joined the 1/5 scale crowd. Much nicer people with only a couple playful a-holes. However, barely anyone raced that class due to expense (which I still wonder how the class is expensive when we spend that much more on TCs and definitely a ton more on 1/8 on-road).

Now I am in the electric TC (and soon to be WCGT) scene and race at a well established track that has a wide selection of cars and parts with very wonderful people. I am happy enough with the place to advertise the track in my signature for all to see. Currently, I am the stubborn one since I am trying to gain back my coordination and driving skills I once had. The one who hated the a-holes has suddenly started turning into one... oh the irony! However, one person already spoke to me about it and I will relax a bit more and actually listen and learn over again.

This is a tough hobby to get started in. You have a-holes in the hobby that really do not do this hobby an iota of justice. Then you have stores that charge an arm and a leg. You have Branded cars that charge an arm and a leg for a mould that they all share to make the more common parts. You have super competitive people that really do not mean to be a-holes, but come out that way just because they want to get their money's worth and win. It's tough. The worst part is purchasing a car and equipment to begin with.

As far as this hobby dying, I don't think so an it is kind of unfair to say that at this point in time. We are in a very bad economy that is predicted to get a lot worse before it gets better. I am pretty sure the hobby will see a very slight surge once the economy picks back up and people have money to spend again.