A couple of things you can try at your own cost is buy a good battery with super low IR. I currently run an orca infinity 6200 the IR on my FMA charger is about 1.4-1.5. Thats pretty low as to what I have found. Also try a better motor, I currently run a TSR( Team scream racing) 17.5 motor, it is a super rocket, might as well be a 13.5. This is in touring car, (i will be switching to buggy next month, ran it last year) The guys are our track are pretty good, they go to snow birds and Vegas and do a good job, like top 6 mains. Anyways my car is the fastest on the track, and I am scared SCARED to put another tooth on the motor, it is too fast almost (motor comes off at 120 after 7 mins). I have ran the Orca tx 17.5 and it was also pretty good, I have also heard that the R1 wurks motor is also good. Another could be your speed controller, running a "stock" spec speed contoller would not benefit you either. A 120 amp speed controller would help use high strand copper wire, to reduce the resistance between the esc battery and motor (TQ 13 gauge works well). Shorter leads are less resistance as well. Another could be when and how much your charging your battery at. If you charge your battery at 10 amps (less than what most manufacturers recommend) and finish charging your battery about 1 race before you go race than your battery will have more punch than it would normally. These are some things that I do that make my car fast.