Traxxas is a good example, but they are first and foremost a basher brand. I'd like to see race-oriented companies like Team Associated market to the outside world, instead of milking fans for all that they're worth with re-releases.

What exactly is the typical perception of RCers? I've always assumed that people see us as grown men launching giant expensive toys around at skateparks.

Here’s a lap from one the first DRL races ESPN had. It was backed originally by the owner of Home Depot and the owner of the Miami Dolphins. They put up the money to get it on espn. It was interesting to watch, but then they cut back to people just sitting in chairs with the visors on. And lost something.

That's the wrong kind of thinking. Drivers are the entertainment that brings in the views, not the target for the ads.

I can't give you a direct answer, because when I have people get offended, but I'll say this a lot of RCers look the same, dress the same and talk the same and none of it is appealing to other members of society. Take a look at Losi for example. A lot of their product and staff focuses on Monster Trucks and NASCAR. Also keep in mind that flyers aren't very fond of surface RCers. Now why is that? Hint, you can find some answers above.


Here's my assumption. Home Depot and the Miami Dolphins invested in drone racing because the execs kids were in to it and/or someone close to them convinced them it was the next big thing. Didn't drone racing become a thing right about the same time that watching other people playing video games became popular? I see a lot of cross over between those two demographics.

I also don't know anything about drone racers except for the fact that a lot of those racers tried to become internet personalities. Like I keep saying surface RC needs good relatable internet personalities. Right now there is only one.

Associated was the big name in a very ahum.... succesful movie called Flying Cars. Man, what a crap movie.... Although the love story about a huge argue at home with the wife and meeting new (girl) friends at the track seems realistic.

Yes, because most people have only an idea of the cheap cars from the toy store. I think any serious racing fan who like to race him/her self should get some tinteling in the body when they see the speed, the cornering and all the technique of these real competition RC cars. You just need to present it in right way to the public and not only some stupid driving and crashes. Beside that, if you want visitors to stay, you need to have a good speaker telling the public what is going on on the track.
Regarding racing fans... enough people who can not afford real racing and setup a simulator at home. Also enough racing fans who due body size/weight or a handycap are limited for real racing. RC racing can be an answer for them but again, if you present it in the right way.

I can remember that. Some rich guy payed some sportschannel(s?) to make a coverage of a season drone racing, I believe there was also a good price money to win. W/o that it would never got on TV.

You see a lot of kids in the crawler scene for the same exact reason you see a lot of kids having fun flying. It's family oriented, there is no pressure, and it requires skill. And crawlers just like planes rarely break and neither require much maintenance, so once you're invested that's that.

Regarding Mini-Z's. Have you driven one lately, because they are really fun and aren't much different than driving a 1/12th scale. The micro scene is growing and for good reason. There is so much cool product out there and you can race at home, so you never have to worry about a track closing because the track is in your living room. I have a course taped out on the floor of my studio apartment. My tracks open 24/7, 7 days a week. You can also race against people around the globe in the comfort of your own home if you participate in Mini 96. What other RC scale is capable of this? Another reason why that kid probably walked out with a Mini-Z is because like the flying and crawler scene, it's a family friendly environment that is low key and free of bad attitudes due to the fact that you can race at home.

It was odd that the flyers mostly used their online names. I remember something about a drone club was using a Home Depot parking lot to host races at night. The owner was impressed and got thing rolling.

I do round 800 videos(6amRC) a year for the races I go to, carpet only, 12 states so far. But I’m not good at being on camera. Most I’ve raced do really have that. There’s a few big personalities I’ve raced with. But they aren’t interested. I’ve tried watching a few racers videos for how to stuff, but it’s like watching paint dry.

Oh I understand the appeal of the crawler thing for families and I love the fact they have that niche in RC and it is growing....and I clearly understand the appeal of being able to take your crawlers to damn near any state park, back yard etc and "do the thing", it just isn't my thing. I went through a full scale rock crawling and off-load phase which may help explain why the small scale Rc version doesn't really flip my switch. Again, stoked to see kids and their parents excited to do something like this together, especially good in the winter to get them off the couch.

As far as Mini-Z, I have attended a couple races to support the local shop, it just doesn't do anything to excite me....yet. That being said, I fear 1/28th may be the only on-road scene remaining in my neck of the woods before long. For me, it's just too small. If I am being honest, a lot of what I love about RC is tinkering and working on things then taking it to the track to see the improvements; while you can certainly tinker with and hop up a 1/28th car, working on something the size of my hand doesn't appeal to me. It's a me thing, not and indictment on 1/28th.

As for the stereotypes of RCers, well we were all considered dorks in the late 80s for playing with toy cars and it wasn't something I recall advertising to my varsity sports team buddies for fear of ridicule as a teenager. I can't speak to what people think today, but since a high % of people 50 and under spend time playing video games etc. today, I would think it isn't AS dorky as it was considered "back in the day". When I was the 10-13 year old racing against adults most of those adults were all early computer programmers, engineers, etc. intellectual types that weren't running from beer league softball games to run their RC10 in a parking lot.......but again, that was just my experience in a given location.

I remember a Dirty Harry movie (Deadpool) that featured both a stock RC10 and one made into Corvette. But that was way back in the gold pan days.

What I'd like to see is parking lot racing return, get RCs out in the public for everyone to see, and offer drinks/snacks. It may not be as fun to watch as a proper off-road track but it gets everything out in the open.

I'd welcome the old "dork" perception over whatever we're seen as today.

I am with ya !!! At 49 years old, I don't really worry too much about what strangers think of me......clearly lol

And I remember loving the black RC10 in Dead Pool......only reason I saw that movie lol. I recall it being a big deal in Rc Car Action magazine.........

1988. Hit theaters month after HS graduation. Took me another 22 years to try RC.

I’ve done the parking lot racing we 3 groups going back to 2017. The stores got sales from it. And actually had a few regulars that came to watch often. But had no effect on getting people involved in my area. Just required a lot more effort to setup and take down tracks in same day. Made days even longer as most would leave after their race. Had good help for setting up. But usually only a few for tear down.

This is the answer, end thread. Every racer will agree the format needs to change, then in the same breath turn around and defend it. This is where the problem starts and ends. Every time and everywhere this discussion comes up on the internet. And it ultimately goes nowhere.


You want to make something exciting and successful? Make it like you're making it for ADD 10 year olds. Everyone today basically is.

At least the site had some activity recently.

So here’s the formats I’ve run
1. 3Qs(5mins). Mains with and without bumps.
2. 2 Qs(6min). 6 minute mains with bumps
3. 1Q(5min). Triple mains for all. 5 minutes
4. R1 random sort heads up. R2-3 resort. Head’s up. Double mains. No bump
5. 1 minute seeding solo run. 3Qs (5min). Single main. No bumps.
6. For qualifying. Both rolling and staggered starts.

Probably missed something. But it’s close

I don’t know which works best. The all heads up racing was completely unexpected. I race faster then I can qualify.

I've read a lot of your posts as well and you are another person I see that does whatever it is he can to grow the hobby. Due to the fact that you drive to tracks the way you do and put all that effort in, in my very strong opinion you should be sponsored by someone. It's not always about being fast, you have to be a good ambassador as well.

Video production is not as easy as it looks to do right and some people just aren't comfortable in front of a camera. Regarding people who are sponsored who refuse to make content and refuse to go in front of a camera, they wouldn't be on my team if I was the manager. Regarding the boring videos, sounds like RC companies aren't hiring good content creators and social media managers. Gotta play that game if you want to succeed these days.

Again, it's not all about being the quickest person on the track, it's more about marketing and how you market yourself. In this day and age if you want to get something noticed or be noticed the easiest way to do that is by trying to make content that people connect with, which in the case of RC is going to be a bit of a challenge at the present time, but with some effort it can be done if people are willing to do it.