Import scene is alive but not "more alive than ever" IMO as NOPI would still be alive and doing well if the interest was as big as it was shortly after the Fast Furious days. People grew up and realized that you can buy a Fox Platform Ford like a Mustang, Capri, LTD or such and drop a GM 4.8 or 5.3 LS style engine and a 76-78mm turbo and run 10's or 9's more easily and cheaper than trying to chase that goal in a Honda or other import that has more limited parts and tuning support.
Some of what you see in the US import scene are guys who weren't born within the Continental US. I attend Import vs Domestic World Cup Finals every year. If you eliminated the Puerto Ricans alone you'd lose at least 8 cars that are in the top 5 of any of the faster classes. Also, look at the results from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The imports can't run for 3 days without losing a lot of cars to breakdowns. Their best showing was when the event ran 2 days. You'll see cars with no time listed because they died. Consequently, racers run what is cheaper, effective, and can go rounds and win.
What are you talking about? I just proved it is more alive then ever.
People buy imports because it is cheaper to build them... Less pistons,rods, bearings, less machine work on the heads/block,less gaskets,studs etc.
The Civic running 7's above is a 25k build....(granted thats shop price not average person) Labor is the main killer, not part price if you arent doing the work yourself.
MIR every other year has been import,muscle,import, muscle who wins the X275 vs Hotrod class....(which is great as it keeps the rivalry alive)
Hondas have some of the most tuning support on the market... If you go to MIR every year i assume you should know this... They are the Chevy of the import world. People swap K series into MR2s,NSXs, etc.(Albeit the B series is quicker)
Any drag car breaks, 4 cylinder, v6, straight 6, v8, straight 8, v10, v12, you name it they break. Any 1000+ horsepower car will.
Your post is extremely biased for American V8s. Im a car guy, i love and own all types of cars from a 1990 Miata to a 1927 T bucket with a SBC 400(that im selling if anyone wants to buy lol)