Hi Craig,
Absolutely agree with you. Having been around for a few years in both boats and aeroplanes, it is an observation that quite a few racing classes have foundered because in the end people were competing with their wallets rather than any skill in building or racing. If it gets like this, it limits the number of newcomers ( especially younger members) entering the sport and also, to my way of looking at it, takes the fun out of it.
Personally, all of my boats might well be christened Miss Ebay! . I actually prefer some of the older designs of boat and particularly, the older engines, especially K&B's, webras and Vecos