i think the xr3i is the newer version. i saw a few at my track. i believe it has a few more features for the same price. steering exponential is one that i thought the new one has. a very good tuning feature. i see no reason why the receiver that it comes with (z590m???) couldn't be raced. it is fairly small and the jr radios seem very good in regards to glitching. there's really no way around the std servo ordeal. just give them to someone just starting out. you can always look for a used radio where the servos are often omitted.