Did you ever race with John Adams? He works for Horizon and is a local in your area. He was on the project team that developed the Mayhem and Spektrum DSM. I have raced with him and his buggy was quite capable of winning against the Mugens, Kyoshos, X-Rays and Thunder Tigers.
If I were you I would spend the money on track time and maintenace for the Mayhem.
I wonder if he will pay for my Mayhem engine that blew when my spectrum #$%^ed up.