I think notoriety can play a part in insurance.
However, there seems to be no ryhme or reason to insurance. They seem to just pluck figures out of thin air. My old insurance company wanted an extra £2000 once I had modified my Escort during its rebuild. Yet the company I am with now quoted me less than when my car was std with the previous insurer.

I think It is a case of just shoppping around. The insurer I use at the moment is the only one that classed me as an "enthusiast" as I have had my RST for 4 years. This dropped the insurance plenty.