I used to race quad xc and Didnt finish in the top 3= no trophy. and it was 50 to race 10 to get into the race, 50 per year membership, plus the gas and wear and tear on the bike but hey if you want a trophy then finish in the top 3.
As for the old school rc racing days it was who had the best batteries, and fastest motors, alot more than it is now. I remember that my crew had Reedy matched cells and two turbo 35 chargers and a engine dyno and com lathe to get the max performance out of the "stock" motors we raced. so we had to have at least 4 or 5 motors, and 4 or 5 matched cell packs, so saying you can go out there and didnt have to have the best of everything I belive you are mistaken there.