Moment with Mike: Don't scare off the newcomers

 

Throughout the years of racing, classes come and go in popularity. It wasn't long ago that 2wd short course truck was hands down one of the most popular offroad racing classes. Today, our local tracks struggle to fill a full heat of 2wd short course truck, as the once non-existent 4wd short course truck class has taken over as the most popular choice for short course truck racers. 

 

During a recent forum conversation I asked fellow racers and friends if they too saw this change in popularity at their local tracks, and if so...why?

 

One response that caught my attention was a friend of mine who said, "2wd was the cheap way in to the hobby for most people, then they move onto the 4wd class since they are stronger and more fun. I would say the big question here is are we not getting as many new people into the hobby?"

 

This got me thinking. Is our hobby losing interest to newcomers? If so, why?

 

After a lot of thought on the topic, I decided that in MY OPINION we are still gaining newcomers, but those that get involved in racing are too often "scared" away. Why you ask? Well,  I have two personal theories on this:

THEORY #1 - I've noticed a lot of people at our local track who feel as though the amount of money spent directly relates to your results, and with that mentality are quickly turned off. I agree it is important to have quality equipment, however, outside of the top pro ranks, racers don't normally lose because they don't have the latest and greatest and/or high end equipment...they lose because of a lack of confidence in the equipment that they do have. I believe new and existing racers are often "scared" away at how much money they feel that they have to spend to keep up with the newest kits, the newest tires, the newest electronics, and so on to be competitive.

The best thing that ever happened years ago at one of our local tracks was a long time racer coming out of retirement with an ancient 2wd buggy, brushed motor, and NiMH batteries to race stock 2wd buggy. He smoked the field his first night out. He didn't have ANY of the latest equipment, but had the confidence in what he did have to go out and win.

With all of that being said, I think the key to drawing in new people (and keeping them in) is showing them that it doesn't take millions of dollars to go fast and have fun, it just takes hard work, practice, and confidence. You put Dakotah Phend out club racing a RTR TEN-SCTE vs. the locals with the latest and greatest 4wd SCT's, $500 powerhouses, fancy paintjobs, and new compound tires...my bet is Dakotah will still win by a lap.

From a business stand point it sounds like a terrible idea to convince enthusiasts they don't need the newest, latest, and greatest, BUT going back to the local driver with the stock buggy, he enjoyed his time at the track and ended up buying the ALL new equipment several months later. The difference is he didn't get "scared" into buying it so he can win...he was confident in himself enough that he felt he deserved new equipment (as opposed to "needing" new equipment). Now whether he wins or loses, the blame isn't put on the new equipment, but instead his own ability. While the hobby shop and manufacturer's he bought from did not make an instant sale upon his return to R/C, they all made a far bigger and longer lasting relationship/sale in the end.

THEORY #2 - Too many people want to run mod or the "pro classes" right out of the gate, and then quickly get discouraged resulting in them quitting. R/C racing is the only form of racing I have ever been involved in that whether you are at a local race, or the National Championship, you have the free will to run any class you want...including pro. Using motocross as an example, even on a local level 99.9% of the time you cannot enter the pro class without some form of proof you are a pro, and you certainly cannot drive to a nearby national and enter pro without working VERY hard to receive a Pro License. If racers had to earn their way into the "pro" classes, I see a lot less frustration and people dropping out of our hobby. Perhaps club racing, if you win Stock Buggy three times you can run Mod...or something to that effect. Deciding whose Pro and who isn't by the number of sponsors they have doesn't always work either, as there are a lot of drivers worth sponsoring for their representation...not their World's winning ability. Let's face it, it sounds cool to say I signed up and raced in the same class as Mario Andretti, but getting beat by 4 laps week after week will ruin anyone's day...and often the entire hobby.  

 

  

 

 

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