RE: Hi, I need some help with my RC car.
Brendan, The reason for formatting a NiMH battery is not to obtain a "small gain" in performance. Formatting is to properly prepare and condition a NiMH battery for use and to function at its full capacity!
m1cojakle charged his battery at a higher rate, and probably brought it up close to it's highest possible voltage. (Even testing under load would confirm this). At first, the car will go like a rocket, but will begin to taper off rather quickly. However...after formatting, his battery will deliver the most power, for the longest period of time.
The actual gain in performance after a format is quite profound.