Is RC Racing Growing or Shrinking?
RC racing has been around for over 50 years, growing in popularity as technology has improved. Many famous motorsport drivers, like Lewis Hamilton, Jake Hill, and Oscar Piastri, started with RC racing before moving to full-size cars. At the same time, many racers take up the hobby in retirement for fun. But how big is the hobby really?
While national races feel competitive, many clubs and tracks are closing due to low numbers. So, let's look at the facts and see if RC racing has a bright future.
Are RC Memberships Growing in the UK?
One way to measure the hobby's size is to check how many people buy race memberships each year. According to BRCA data, membership numbers have increased by 14% over the last nine years, with good growth after the COVID-19 period in 2020/21.
This is a good sign, but how does RC racing compare to other hobbies? Fishing requires an annual licence, with 900,000 sold each year. There are about 500,000 shotgun licences and 45,000 full-size motorsport race licences issued yearly. These numbers make RC racing look much smaller in comparison.
Are Junior Racers the Future of RC Racing?
Looking at 2024 membership data, 12% of UK RC racers are juniors. This is actually better than some other hobbies – for example, only 7% of fishing licences are for juniors. While this is positive, it could still be higher.
We need to promote RC racing better, highlighting the successes of drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri, who started with RC cars. Groups like BRCA and RC Vision are helping with this by attending exhibitions and running junior-focused events like the Rookie Cup in the King of Clubs series. However, local clubs should also do more to attract young racers, especially since many already race at leisure centres and schools where potential racers are nearby.
For tips on attracting new racers, check out our guide: How to Promote Your RC Car Club and Find Racers.
Are More People Attending RC Nationals?
Looking at race numbers, the most popular classes in the UK are the on-road and off-road 1:10th scales. Off-road events are often overbooked, requiring racers to qualify through regional events.
The 4WD touring car nationals have declined, possibly due to rule changes. However, a new 2WD national series launched in 2020 has been very popular. This stock-class series, with cheaper cars, has nearly as many racers as the 4WD class, meaning the 1:10th category has actually doubled in size.
Some classes have seen a drop in numbers, especially the 1:12th foam classes like GT12. It seems that winter indoor racing is less appealing to younger racers. Nitro racing numbers are holding steady, with 1:8th Rallycross returning to pre-pandemic levels.
What Do RC Racers Say?
We asked our Reddit followers about whether RC racing is declining or growing, the results painted a mixed picture. Most users agreed that while the hobby itself is thriving, organised racing is struggling. Several key issues come up repeatedly: the rising cost of racing, the decline of tracks, and the shift in interest toward bashing and casual RC use rather than competitive racing.
One of the biggest challenges mentioned is the loss of tracks, mainly due to high rent and the decline of local hobby shops. User OurManInHavana explains, “Racing means tracks... and tracks are declining. The land they’re on is expensive.” Many users agree that without affordable tracks, new racers struggle to get involved. Djb1126 shared a personal example: “My current local carpet track does Box Stock Traxxas Slash and Arrma Fury spec classes... Last Friday they had 24 drivers.” This shows that budget-friendly racing can still draw interest, but it’s not common everywhere.
Another major issue is the cost of racing equipment. Anothercoot recalls how, years ago, racers could simply pay a small fee and use a shared transponder. Now, “you have to pay a membership fee and supply your own transponder per car.” Others, like OurManInHavana, argue that even “stock” racing has become too expensive, with racers investing in the latest motors, batteries, and lightweight parts to stay competitive.
Despite the challenges, some positive signs exist. Users like Enignon77 mention that racing is slowly growing again in some areas post-COVID. Certain regions, like Seattle, still have active racing scenes. Additionally, many suggest that affordable spec classes, like Slash or Mini-B racing, could help bring in more newcomers. Overall, it seems that while RC as a hobby is bigger than ever, traditional RC racing is struggling, and adapting to modern trends (e.g., budget-friendly classes, casual pay-to-play track days) might be the key to keeping it alive.
Conclusion: Is RC Racing Thriving?
RC racing is in a better position than many think, but it is still a small hobby compared to others. If it were ten times bigger, nationals would be much harder to qualify for, and racing would be even more competitive.
Junior racing looks promising, but clubs need to do more to attract young racers. Instead of relying on large organisations to promote RC, local clubs should focus on better marketing. At the same time, big events could be made more exciting with creative marketing, such as racing in iconic locations with dramatic lighting effects. But that’s a discussion for another time.
Overall, it's good to see that RC racing is growing despite economic challenges. We all need to do our part to show the world why this hobby is great—whether for the challenge of competition, the fun of control, or the social and stress-relieving benefits.
Next weeks Hot Topic will be:
What Famous RC Cars Have There Been?
This week, we’re diving into the RC Car A-List! We’re looking for RC cars that have made history, hit the big screen, or even changed the world. Whether they’ve starred in movies, set Guinness World Records, or been used in ground breaking missions, we want to know which RC cars deserve celebrity status!
What are the most legendary RC cars in history?
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