RE: What are Pro drivers paid?
Alot if not most of that "6 Figures" is incentives. There most likely isn't a pro that get a salary of 100K. Unless he has a full time position with a very large company. The way sponsorships have worked for the last decade (RC, Cycling and even football/baseball etc.) is that the base salary is pretty low and you bonus and incentives is where the real money comes in. If you hustle and get a lot of sponsors all of those salaries can be pretty decent (but still incentive driven). No A main at the world championship, no bonus. No top 5 finishes at the nationals, no bonus. Drive the box van, set up the tents, hang signs and banners and place top 10 = a good payday.
Not to down any of our pro's as they deserve what they are getting. But this hobby is for the love of it. You'll see that most of the racers are employees of RC companies. Local racers are part of a club. Club members put on local races. It is truly for the love and the opportunity to get a job with a RC company or start a company of their own. Not for a big payday. If you want that, go play baseball!
James