I'll ad a few coins. I got out in 1992, and back in in 2015. Wow, what a change! Nitro to electric, 2.4G computer radio's, 2M airplanes, no more retracts. I loved the old equipment; high zoot factor. But times are different, and electric bring almost a zero maintenance proposition. My plane (Nuance) is 6 years old, and faded monokote is the only thing that shows. I also have an EU1-A....which I haven't touched in a year.
Nevertheless, nothing keeps anyone from competing with nitro, it's just the pilot's choice. A smooth flying nitro plane is equally as competitive; one finished 9th last year at Blytheville in Masters. It's just the chosen minority.
Pattern is dwindling; we really need everyone back, whatever you fly. Just leave the gyros at home - It's about improving your skills, not replacing them with a circuit.