St. Louis Dirt Burners

What type of transponder should I be looking to grab to be used at the track for next year?
Tech Master
iTrader: (6)

amb hybrid
Tech Rookie

Hi everyone, new to R/C and have several questions. I've thought about getting into this hobby for a while, and I believe building cars, going to the races and learning from others would keep my interest. I was checking out the facebook page and it looks like the 4x4 1/8 electric buggys seem to be the most popular(correct me if I'm wrong) at the STL DB and RC Outlaws races, so I figured I'd go with one of those. I'm looking to pick up a buggy that's class legal to learn on and maybe race later in the season. Would anyone have any advice on what brands/setups are working and holding up well at the track? Any hobby shops in the area stock parts for certain brands? I haven't decided on a budget for this, I'd prefer not to spend a fortune without knowing how much I'll enjoy racing, but willing to spend a bit to get something nice. Any info or advice is appreciated.