Hi, thanks a lot for the discussion and all your pros and cons!

@ the argument not to divide 1/8th into a new class and let the pan cars in 2wd: I already have a Mantua Intrepid MC and did run several races even in Italy. And I had some long discussions with Massimo Poldi (Mantua Model). I agree, 2wd pans are very close to low costs and maintenance time. But - 4wd – it is definitely easier to drive and it is easier to run together with suspensioned 4wds (I did race with the 2wd Intrepid – but the driving style is too different – the faster 4wd drivers had no real fun with me .

At all: the main chance of my project will be the electric version - it is the absolute minimized entrance to 1/8 track. Compared with the upcoming Serpent 977e / Shepherd / Capricorn (set price roller-motor-esc-accu >1000€ - they are top, no doubt) the costs will be 1/3 and the speed not that slow and it is a lot of fun! Motor-esc-accu dont need to be the top ones, so I use: 120A esc, 2300KV motor with 4s Lipo (look at HobbyKings prices). Maybe like a limited stock class?

Many potential drivers - expirienced or not - would like to have a try in 1/8 track (for me its the greatest and ideal sized class) but dont want to invest that much money or maintenance time. I think it is a chance to find new drivers - not to absorb them from established classes. A later change to nitro or faster, suspensioned classes will be an additional profit for 1/8.

@ durability: Last year many different drivers did test my prototypes – from 8 year young beginners up to the Austrian champion in 1/8 track. Ok - I never tried on a parking lot. The front carbon suspension parts never broke. The only spare part I sometimes had to change was the 60t main gear (web shop price 3€).

Some news:
I already started the production of a pre seria in cooperation with a company supplying automotive industries. So the order, sales and logistic process will be in absolutely professional hands. I made aggrements with established rc car companies to supply us with nearly standard parts, like front knuckles, gears,pulleys... So the easy availability of spares will be guaranteed.
The rollout of this first lot will be April 26th at the Race of Champions of the morac-graz.at and we plan to run our separate class with both electro and nitro cars. I want to make a documentation and keep you informed. The second lot will be prepared to be ready for delivery in mid of July.

best regards, Tom