Hey - empirical evidence is always better than just futzing with things and then theorizing about what they did.
Theory regarding why we thought the cutouts gave better balance - perhaps without them, and with such a very high-traction surface (asphalt with tons of 1/8th scale laying down TONS of rubber) we misinterpreted the results. . . Heck, without a wind tunnel or anything, it's entirely possible! All we knew was that the Peugots work better for us with the cutouts cut.