Mr. Stormer,
While I still beleive going slower with a older ESC and a silver can motor is the more cost effective way to go, we definately seem to see eye to eye on this:
Slower cars make for tighter, better racing. Particularly for guys like me who don't have the skill to pilot the extremely fast TC and 1/12 cars.
It was really nice to hear your story about helping a struggling new comer. I know alot of experienced racers do do that, but I've seen first hand guys scoff at people with older equipment, or cars that weren't top of the line.
In the end, I hope I can save up the cash for an AMB lab counting system, get the pavement layed out nice and smooth, and have some fun racing close races with friends.
Like you say, having fun IS the most important aspect of the hobby. We just need to convince that to more newbies.
Bladeszx2