Don't believe the Hype: RC is still Rad.

   

    If I had a nickel for every complaint I've heard at the track about how a program sucks, or how the hobby is out of control, I'd be able to wipe my ass with hundred dollar bills. It's flabbergasting to me how an activity that was/is designed solely for personal entertainment and enjoyment, could incite such negative feelings and remarks on a daily basis. Unless you've been living under a rock during the month or so (admittedly a a happier place to be probably, ignorance is bliss), you've no doubt read a post or watched a video describing how the hobby is "dying" a slow death, and how action must be taken to save our scale sport....

....DaFuck?

    You're telling me that the pastime that I've loved for the past 20+ years is suddenly on life support? Nope. I'm not buying it.

    Now, while I consider myself an optimist, I also consider myself a realist. I know that there are issues facing our hobby. RC car racing certainly isn't immune to the scads of pitfalls that plague any activity involving competition. Having said that, what I do feel like this hobby suffers from most, is a massively skewed perception of what makes toy car racing so rad. So often, we as racers get caught up in the hoopla of a competitive environment and the inherent complications that come from it. With the adrenaline and passion that breeds from competition, come jubilation for situations gone right, and resentment for situations gone awry. It's easy, in the midst of competing against one another, to forget the very reasons we got so wrapped up in this scale sport. Most keep a calm head and remember that for the vast majority of us, this hobby is just that, a hobby. There are others, however, that take to social channels to complain, or simply create a toxic attitude in the pit area and on the track. Unfortunately, these comments and negative actions are what people see most, and I'd venture to guess that like me, you're a bit tired of hearing about it.

    So, rather than go on a rant that's saltier than a bucket of KFC chicken wings, I thought I'd highlight some of the main factors that make RC racing so unequivocally bitchin' to me. Time to change the perception for the better.

The Tracks.

Old School: Burien RC

    Let's take a moment and talk about the most basic element needed to hold a toy car race: The track. And honestly, how insanely spoiled are we these days? They say you can have quantity or quality, but you can't very well have both. I'd venture to say that in the case of current RC tracks, that statement has never been less true. Tracks have always come and gone in this hobby, and while it's unfortunate that some must close for various reasons, the overall number of tracks has held steady. Why is this? Quite simply, the way we build tracks has changed as well. As the quantity of permanent tracks has waned in recent years, the number of quality temporary tracks has increased substantially. Some of these mobile setups rival (and often beat) the quality of the permanent courses that came before them. Temporary tracks have allowed clubs a chance to operate a quality program without the unreasonably high rent and overhead associated with a permanent building. Thus, we've seen better tracks, better programs, and more of them, and that's rad. So in review, we have quantity.... we have quality.... but there's one factor that is arguably more important to the growth of the hobby than anything else: Variety.

   

Modern Indoor Nirvana: Seattle RC Racers.

    Wanna race on carpet with a touring car? We've got a track for that. Wanna race on carpet with a buggy? We've got a track for that. Wanna race on asphalt, clay, turf, grass, or even a gym floor? We've got a track for that. Wanna race off-road, on-road, oval, drag racing, nitro or electric? We've got a track for that. Never in the history of our hobby, has there been more options in which to get your racing fix. Grip levels are up across the hobby, thanks in part to many different factors (some good, some bad) within the industry, in addition to the attention to track surfaces that we just didn't have in the past. Racing is fast and consistent because of the unreal variety of quality tracks across the world.

Want grip? We've got a track for that.

The Equipment.

I miss the mechanical side of brushed motors, but not much else.

    Remember the days of building sub-c battery packs with over-priced matched cells, only to "cook" charge them to get every ounce of punch before a race, only to have them last for a handful of race days? Remember the days of cutting comms and replacing brushes during a race day on top of your normal maintenance routine? I do, and while it's easy to look back on the days of yesteryear with beer goggles on and a sense of nostalgia, we have to also remember the unsustainable nature of top-tier racing was back in the "good ol' days". Race packs north of a hundred bucks that would last a few months as best. Race motors that needed constant attention and massaging that would last a few months at best. Chassis kits that were brittle & temperamental, and radio crystals. I mean, if you've never heard the phrase "WHO'S ON 66!" yelled in legitimate anger, can you really say you've lived the RC life?

Building stick packs = Hell on earth.

    Thankfully, times have changed, and no longer do we as racers need to purchase parts and accessories in bulk. Motor maintenance? Nope. Battery maintenance? Nope (just don't be a dumbass and over-charge). Chassis manufacturers are producing reliable, fast race cars that are more accessible than ever before. While there is definitely more adjustability with our modern cars, the information available with regards to setup has never been better. If you take that even a step further, the level of budget-friendly or "hobby-level" car kits is at an all-time high. For the cost of a couple tanks of gas, a prospective racer can pick yourself up a competitive chassis that they can build, race and grow with as their skills develop. Couple that with motors and batteries that will last multiple seasons, and you have a recipe for success. Thanks to progress, there's quality equipment for every budget, and every taste, and that's rad to see.

The People.

    Regardless of what anyone with try to argue, it's the people that make this hobby. End of story. From the track owners, to the professionals, to the novices, to the parents of kids, to the volunteers

The future: Harley Yoshii & Derek Mesa.
Credit: Nick Colander

giving their time. Each and every person involved in this community has an undeniable effect on our experience on and off the track. While there are admittedly plenty of questionable influences that unfortunately get the bulk of the attention within our industry, I refuse to list or even mention them here.

    Rather, I'd like to give a shout out to the good ones. The racers who take time out of their busy day to help a novice with a problem. The track owner that spends long hours ensuring we degenerates always have a place to race. The professional racers that get the concept of representing themselves and their sponsors in a positive way, all while doing their part to grow the hobby we care about so much. Take a look at the Instagram account of Jered Tebo, or listen to a podcast by "A State of RC" as perfect examples of how to create a positive culture within our hobby.

It's the people that make RC what it is.

    Lastly, though, I'd like to give a shout out to the club racer. The lifeblood of our industry. Without the scads of weekend warriors that flock to weekly club races and practice days, there would be no RC racing. While world, national, and local pros will always get the glory (and well they should), the reality is, programs can not, and will not have sustained success without an influx of novices, hobby-level racers and good ol' privateers. Hats off to all of you. You are what make RC what it is.

    Am I going to sit here and say that everything is perfect and nothing should be changed? Of course not. There will always be something we can do better, or a situation we can handle better. There will always be a need for new racers, and programs to suit the growth of those new to the hobby. Having said that, do I believe RC is dead or dying? Absolutely not. If anything, I believe we've never been in a better place. We have better equipment, better access to quality information, and racers that truly care about our scale sport. 

We've got it pretty good right now, regardless of what some people may say. As an industry, we have all the tools to grow and nurture this hobby for the better. Anyone that's been involved with this hobby long enough, will tell you that there's ebbs and flows that occur from time to time. While we seem to be in an ebb tide at present, with the right perspective, we'll be just fine. 

RC is still rad, so have fun and enjoy it.

-JRoy