2002 IFMAR Worlds
08-30-2009, 08:43 AM
#31
sad to say if it is due to money then how can the US expect entries from the rest of the world when the dollar is so strong a currency !!!
08-30-2009, 11:22 AM
#32
Plus dollars don't matter when Europe has paid professionals coming out of the woodwork. You don't care about other peoples money as much as your own
08-30-2009, 11:48 AM
#33
I'm not so sure that its about money, the Neo 09 event here in the UK back in April (1/8th buggy) attracted a lot of top US drivers, as well as other nationalities.
In fact, heres the numbers:
Austria (4), Belgium (2), Brazil (1), Czech Republic (3), Finland (1), France (13), Germany (9), Greece (6), Indonesia (1), Ireland (1), Italy (2), Japan (1), Malta (2), N.Ireland (1), Norway (8), Portugal (8), Slovakia (2), Spain (7), Sweden (7), Switzerland (1), UK (86), USA (11) and Wales (3).
Interestingly, I found this question/answer in an interview with Jared Tebo at the Neo 09 (via the oOple.com site):
In fact, heres the numbers:
Austria (4), Belgium (2), Brazil (1), Czech Republic (3), Finland (1), France (13), Germany (9), Greece (6), Indonesia (1), Ireland (1), Italy (2), Japan (1), Malta (2), N.Ireland (1), Norway (8), Portugal (8), Slovakia (2), Spain (7), Sweden (7), Switzerland (1), UK (86), USA (11) and Wales (3).
Interestingly, I found this question/answer in an interview with Jared Tebo at the Neo 09 (via the oOple.com site):
oOple - We hear you'll be defending your title at the 10th Worlds in South Africa later this year - how do you think you'll perform with the underdog Kyosho?
Jared Tebo - Uhm, if the race actually happens I think it will be pretty good - I like my cars a lot, I don't think I'm at any disadvantage or anything like that. I can't believe it is in South Africa.
Jared Tebo - Uhm, if the race actually happens I think it will be pretty good - I like my cars a lot, I don't think I'm at any disadvantage or anything like that. I can't believe it is in South Africa.
08-30-2009, 02:17 PM
#34
1/8th offroad is one of the few classes that companies still pay a lot of top US drivers. I bet all but maybe one or two of those US drivers were paid to be there.
08-30-2009, 03:24 PM
#35
Tech Regular
Had a very interesting chat with one of the "leading lights" in Large scale this week.
The 1/5th track worlds are the week before the 10th off roads at the same venue.
At the moment it has 14 entries, the last worlds had over 100 and that was in Australia (so travel costs not an issue obviously).
He stated that one of the major problems were the thefts at Jo'burg airport that have got so bad that courier companies will not insure equipment going thru the airport. The large scale guys obviously have more equipment but a lot of international drivers and more specifically teams courier their equipment there. If it's effectively uninsured and likely to be stolen - they are not going to go!
Just for the record there were 46 entries for the 12th track worlds in Thailand and over 110 for 1/10th, however the lack or 12th drivers had more to do with the fact that it was run on tarmac rather than logistics of the locations.
The 1/5th track worlds are the week before the 10th off roads at the same venue.
At the moment it has 14 entries, the last worlds had over 100 and that was in Australia (so travel costs not an issue obviously).
He stated that one of the major problems were the thefts at Jo'burg airport that have got so bad that courier companies will not insure equipment going thru the airport. The large scale guys obviously have more equipment but a lot of international drivers and more specifically teams courier their equipment there. If it's effectively uninsured and likely to be stolen - they are not going to go!
Just for the record there were 46 entries for the 12th track worlds in Thailand and over 110 for 1/10th, however the lack or 12th drivers had more to do with the fact that it was run on tarmac rather than logistics of the locations.
08-31-2009, 09:35 AM
#38
It is an unfortunate fact of life that in general terms Americans will not travel. Look at the poor attendance at the 2008 Onroad Worlds in Thailand. Not sure what the excuse was then .. I think it was that there was no one interested in electric on road. The few that came had a great time.
Possibly it comes from what is a fairly conservative nation ... they are not happy outside their comfort zone and are very unfamiliar with other cultures. One only has to see them travelling abroad to see their general discomfort in other cultures.
No doubt I will get flamed for this post. It is not meant as an insult .. just an observation
Possibly it comes from what is a fairly conservative nation ... they are not happy outside their comfort zone and are very unfamiliar with other cultures. One only has to see them travelling abroad to see their general discomfort in other cultures.
No doubt I will get flamed for this post. It is not meant as an insult .. just an observation
As long as IFMAR (and ROAR for us U.S. guys) requires that their venues be selected on a rotating basis, attendance will be a problem. I like the fact that the Worlds rotates, but events do need to be placed in locations where a full field is probable.
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