Powerdrifter, Rick's not the only one with a 1/8th scale for this year. Along with me there is 1 other joining the 1/8th ranks so should be a pretty full field. I think I got some more electrics coming from Debbie's also.
As for engines have you considered the OS 21 VZ-R ver.II?
A place to practice, which end of town do you live in? Is there a school nearby? I'm in the eastend and there is a new middle school with a fairly clean parking lot a couple miles from me, noone has said anything about us running the electrics and a 1/10th nitro car there.
Tim