Hopping may vary, but should it?

In the past, we’ve touched on the differences between different kinds of lowrider hoppers in posts like “Are we hoppin?”, and in it, we mentioned that just as with 1:1 vehicles, different set-ups serve different purposes; Within that spectrum of purpose lies the competition hoppers.

The hopping scene, though somewhat new to the RC community at large, is steadily gaining momentum. New parts continue to hit the market each month, enhancing lowrider hopping mechanics and contributing to the community's growth.

As the scene expands, hopping contests are becoming a staple at nearly every RC lowrider meet, provided enough people sign up to compete, and as with anything that continues to grow over time, added structure may be beneficial in order to facilitate that growth.

In the full-scale lowrider scene, hopping contests vary in their level of structure.

In full-scale hopping, some contest are highly regulated to ensure an even playing field, carefully overseeing aspects like hydraulic setups and weight distribution. On the flip side, others maintain a more laid-back approach, imposing only basic regulations on the number of batteries and added weight.

While it's important to respect and appreciate both perspectives, we can’t help but wonder at the potential benefits of introducing a bit more structure overall. The idea is not to stifle creativity or limit individual expression but to establish guidelines that maintain fairness in competitions.

We got a chance to catch up with our creative director Marlon Hightower, who grew up in California, and witnessed the growth of the Lowrider culture over the past 45 years, and asked him what his thoughts where on the matter of setting guidelines to hopping contest.

“Now that the world of RC Lowriders is growing, we have more events and opportunities to cruise, show, and compete with our fellow enthusiasts.

As the competition gets stiffer, there's a need to start standardizing the rules and judging for the competing side of the game.

We have a long-standing framework to start with from the 1/1 scale riders. So let’s get serious about a set of rules and regulations. Besides, an even playing field is what we need to advance the game!” - Marlon Hightower

Incorporating some level of standardization could provide a clearer framework for participants and as well as spectators. -

- This might involve defining categories based on the complexity of setups or establishing guidelines for certain aspects of the competition, ensuring that all participants have a shared understanding of the rules.

Moreover, a more structured approach could attract a wider audience, making the hopping scene more accessible and appealing to newcomers. Perhaps it will take the major players of the RC lowrider game like Bradley Willis of the Hop Shop, and AVR_Zoom, and many others to come together and establish the framework needed.

As the community continues to grow, striking a balance between creative freedom and fair competition could be the key to sustaining the enthusiasm and energy that makes lowrider hopping so unique; So what do you think about it? Do you even hop?

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