There is more to the overall gear ratio of a car than the spur and clutch bell. I don't know the overall gearing of the 8IGHT; by driving it, I'd assume it might be a little taller than some of the other cars, but not by much. Taller gearing should equal more fuel mileage and a smoother car. Time will tell if we need to start messing around with it.
Clutch parts, like everything else, have gotta be high on Losi's priority list. I've got about a half-gallon on my car and the shoes have worn pretty quickly but nothing absolutely horrible. As Losi (and the rest of the world) start to get more parts in and get stuff figured out, you guys will all hear about it.
Tex - Fluro yellow and pink have always been my colors, from back in the mid-90's when hot pink was "cool". My cars never fail to stand out from the crowd!
(Shameful plug)
www.panthermotorsportsdesign.com and you can change those one-color bodies into something pretty, without much work! HAHAHA