As for the trend which had definitely started in 2013 or earlier, where Brushless sales seemed to be eating into the market share of nitro sales, globally.
This was no doubt encouraged by e commerce, the availability of temptingly low priced offerings/clones from China on Bangood etc - why stress about which Italian engine to import for your Basher Nitro Truggy when you can get a Brushless Truggy with Hobbywing motor/esc with insane performance for the same sort of outlay?
90% of these brushless RTRs won't see a race track. That will explain the market, a market that brands like Traxxas will undoubtedly be wanting a very large slice of. Ditto for Arrma, Traxxas' arch rival in 2021. Interestingly, HPI are sort of back this year, but with similar offerings as last decade!
As for racing and 1/8th Nitro Buggy/Truggy being the equivalent of 'The Super Bowl'/'World Cup' - it's just so good to watch. 45 mins of will it - won't it. The ever present risk of a race changing flame out. Weather changes. Pit stop strategies.
The Pit crews are racing too - if one team can do 6 second pits, but the next team can only muster 11 seconds - it's near enough a whole lap of difference over 45 minutes of racing. These elements of uncertainty are what make the nitro races - arguably - the most entertaining races to watch, which unfold over a good length of time.
The Drake may have bumped up from the B, but you can still root for him to win because everyone has a chance. Elliot Boots - he might be in with a half chance this time, if he can keep his engine running. If you're a racer, these are the races you want to get into - 45 minutes of awesome.
There have been legendary electric races too - 5 minutes maybe, but that Marc Rheinard Touring Car race - astonishing.
The Web and Live RC has bought the races into our living rooms, so we can get to live the moment, even if it's on the other side of the pond. Speaking of which, I for one prefer the off road track layouts in the US with lots of jumps and spectacular air time. These cars should be piloted.
