Cain is correct, stock motors must be masaged to get top performance. brush algn tool, comm stick, 4.5mm wrench for hood are all necessity. I would first pull out my brushes and run the motor on my dremel tool for quite a while. then align the hood and cut the motor put it back together with my brush & spring choice and run it on a 4 cell pack until it got warm. using comm drops in this process. after several cool down sessions I would clean the motor and re assemble. for the club racer I see no need in all of the fancy tricks. I never use comm drops either to much gum up and inconsistency during racing. As for meeting up the would be great. I live in Roseburg. I will be racing this summer in Eugene. I will be at the Canby track for the nwc race and the elc. regionals. had a mvp once. it was a good motor just seemed picky on the setup. but once it was dialed it was a top notched motor. sounds like your making good decisions don't be afraid to try diff stuff at the track.