I had the same problem when I tried racing my x-mod and mini-z. Even with carefully going over the car a making everything work perfect it was still not as fast as some guys stuff. So I did what alot of curious slow guys do, I got nosey . I noticed one guy was running a hidden battery in the body cover, since the stock are to run 4 cells only ! I quickly let everyone know what he was doing LOUDLY ! One guy "kid", had a x-mod that was ripping down the straights so I asked to see it (kindly). Gee everything was bone stock like mine, so it seemed. He later told me the motor was out of a "spinbrush" electric toothbrush with the stock motor stickers slapped on it. I found this young guy to be very creative and cleaver. I reminded him that he was cheating since he really wasn't running the same motors as everyone else. I never told anyone, since he could use it mod class. He looked sad and kinda ashamed but he replaced the motor. I guess my ranting is basically to make me feel better. But keep in mind rarely, sometimes the guys with the killer fast set-ups night be bending the rules. my 2 cents sorry for the ranting guys............but I feel better