He's already getting "pounded" at the local track.. sure he VXL brushless would be fast.. but the bandit isn't a race car.. more for bashing.. you might be able to beat a stocker down a straight.. if you can keep it hooked up.. but you'll loose the race from the poor handling..even duratrax has a buggy that handles better than a bandit.. sorry.. but that would be going backwards..

Pick up a Losi XXX-T or Associated T4.. any version of either would do you well... Maybe even consider getting something used from a racer at the track who is upgrading or has extra stuff... even brushed on one of these race trucks will do much better for you on the track.

Talk to some of the guys at your local track and see what they are running. Chances are somebody knows somebody that has something for sale.

Good luck!

Jerome