We aren't really looking at perfect comparison between old and newer cans. Those motors were not in identical cars driven by identical drivers. Many other factors came into effect.
I'm not sure what the sportsman champ was using the other day; my guess is the newer yok. During one of the finals, the other guy was also super fast and he was using the fixed timing Katana motor. I think it still boils down to fine tuning and proper gearing...and to a good extend...a fresh battery pack.