Originally Posted by
(0000000000)
Tamiya mini. Silvercan, or a spec brushless combo (orca spark).
Great universal parts support, simple enough to get beginners to wrench, enough advanced support to keep experienced drivers tuning and pushing the envelope. Fast enough to have fun races, but slow enough to be crowd pleasing and not break too often.
^^^This is probably your best choice, given the format you're proposing. TT-01s equipped with bearings might be a good choice too (I've witnessed many TT-01s endure a 24 hour torture test, and live to tell about it).
Not sure why you're not considering the Mini (specifically the M05) - most tracks in my area with a "rent a ride" program rent M05s; they are easy to maintain and drive, and they are durable. Run $15 silvercan motors, and old brushed ESCs - it's a winning formula, provided you find a way to keep the Silvercan voodoo from entering the equation. While the cars are small, a long wheelbase Mini and a standard TC differ in wheelbase by only 19 mm - that's 3/4 of an inch.
Another neat feature about the Mini - more often than not the car marshalls itself in crashes, provided you're not stuck againast a board.