RE: A few questions from a new guy
Welcome aboard!
The above advice is solid. Join a club and find an instructor that has the same interest. I had a three year break due to Iraq and when I got back the world changed due to the 2.4 MHZ transmitters and receivers/batteries and technology in general. If you are going to go gas, read up on everything you can, there is a good thread here called "newbie to gas", do a search and learn what you can. I have a giant stinger with a G62 that I used to get back into the swing of things and I am still amazed at the technology. Keep it simple and you will be rewarded. Best of Luck. If you have questions you will get one hundred different opinions, some good, some not so good. What works for one application may not be the best for yours and vice versa.