the non-standard R5 at the Nats was being run by Bob Stellflue. I think his pod was prototype stuff and it did have the aluminum crossbar much like a HB cyclone12. It was unique looking on an R5 but unlikely to yield a noticeable performance advantage because the standard R5 pod is really quite good. It's true that the standard R5 pod doesn't quite center the brushless motors but it's not nearly so off center as lots of cars (most notably the Serpent which has the motor VERY FAR off center). It is possible to adapt the 1/10th scale parts to the 1/12th scale car and to get the short diff hub if you absolutely must have a centered motor. But the recent top results of the Serpent car which has it's motor far more off center than the R5 would indicate that it's not necessary to worry about the motor position. I can tell you from experience that the R5 works great just as it come out of the box, without any mods or upgrades needed.