I do not need a $XXXX gun to be involved in my chosen pastime (USPSA -- A33102), but I may need the latest-n-greatest to be more competitive.
USPSA is currently set up to allow any basic 9mm-n-up gun compete in some 'class' (Division) where it can be competitive and perhaps win.
I could care. Yes, I want to crush all opposition on my way to becoming King of the entire universe, but until that occurs I'll be competing with Redhawks and Witnesses and, okay, maybe a couple fancy expensive 1911's
(but with 8-rd mags).
Bottom line = you cannot spend enough to win, you must be able to use that $XXXX gun, ay?