Well, I know I am the exception to the rule. I decided last year that I was going to race sc and Caster STILL doesn't have them done
So I bought a rtr blitz from the lhs and a ese blitz from amain. Combined the parts I wanted to and ran all season in stock sc. I came in second to Chilly (RC Car Action) one night in the A so I am not a complete slouch...lol.
I used everything stock except I used my m11 and a esc I picked up new on ebay. I broke 1 part and I had a backup from the other kit.
When I race I really focus on trying to not get marshalled, yet go fairly fast.
I have broken 2 sets of arms on a Caster fusion. When we had the old Mugen style steering rod ends, I did break 5 of those as they were the weak link. I had the endbell fall off a medusa motor and I smoked 2 hobbywing rtr escs. I have never wore out a set of tires, but Iowa black dirt does no damage as long as you do not run ultra softs.