I too have been racing forever, but decided two years ago to try a different hobby (ATV's). However, I can't seem to give up on R/C. I race In Ohio and we have some great drivers to compete with and I don't want to show up at the track with batteries that are ALMOST as good. Believe me, I wan't to make the jump to Lipo's (I already sent TWO Turbo 35 BL's in to CE for the upgrade). But with all the posts that I have read on R/C tech in the last month, I have major doubt about going in that direction. I'm least worried about the packs going nuclear, and balancing them.