This has gone a little off topic but since it has let me ask a question with a view to making a point.
"How many RC clubs are setup WITHOUT significant input from somebody in the RC retail trade and/or a team driver?"
If you buy from abroad to the point that the shops decide not to concentrate on racing equipment and the distributors decided they can't justify assisting their sponsored drivers as the returns aren't there who will run the clubs?
Putting an order in abroad to get a few spares is little hassle these days with the internet ....
Getting that emergency spare / tire you need for a meeting in 1 / 2 days time is much more grief ....
Having to fly to another country to go racing will be somewhat more annoying I feel.
Just a thought
Melodramatic I hear you cry, afraid not ..... the reason I now have to travel 50+miles each way if I want to do any club racing of an evening (and yes that does involve entering a different country too)!
Having seen several REALLY GOOD model shops close there doors for the last time over the years, DC Racing, Microtech and many others too, I can assure you that their support to the local racing scene was greatly missed.
Well done Darren for keeping overheads to 10%, that is probably how you've hung on!