First off, I didn't build it for racing. I know there is no class for it, I built it for a bullet-proof basher. Yes i spent a bit, but i wanted quality and planned for 5s. I could have used one of my mamba max's but that would have ruined the warranty (3s only). the only one that fit everything i wanted and worked and warrantyed for 5s(actually 6s), was the quark. As for the battery, I spent less than that, Discounted at plane store inventory reduction 100.00. That's the reason i got 1, Now that i know it works, i plan to pick up a few more. As for the Soft, defenseless battery, that's what the chassis and body are for. All you do with a hard case's cook your cells (especially if you pull near 100 amp spikes from them) . You might have to protect your battery from crazy drivers in touring, But 90% of all off-road buggies and ST's, run the battery dead center and low in the chassisand nothing this side of a lawnmower is going to hit it. I have been running soft Lipo's for over a year and a half and never had an incident, even with my G2R Revo with a 2s on one side and a 3s on the other and the bottom exposed through the battery slots. I think the hard case is just to ease the minds of those, who really fear LIPO's. Most of the soft lipo's have a plastic or fiberglass wrap around the pack under the shrink.

The motor was bought used for 60.00, but anyone that has ever used a lehner will say its 3 times better than the mambamax motor. The fact that you can get it for 100.00 shows its value

This was built with quality and planning for efficiency, When your setup is giving you trouble next year, Mine will still be rolling on down the trail track or wherever it wants to