Being from a Motorsports background probably dosent help James, as most people into Motorsports, either have loads of spare cash, or Sponsors with loads of spare cash, I have been envolved with Motorsport for most of my life, ( being one of the people who prepare the cars) and I dont know of anybody Racing who works in an ordinary Job, ie, plumber, lorry driver, electrician, etc, but Robots, are more or less affordabe, as long as we have free events, it does help when fuel exes are paid. A good example of cheap Motorsport was Formuls Ford, but not that cheap.
Just my two pence worth.