To the O.P, Leadfoot.
Your LHS has the U.S sport, can'nt you ask if he can get hold of the NEW KYOSHO MP7.5 RACE SPEC, you'd be suprised at what it has,
AND for the price you still have a bit of cash over to buy 6V hump packs x2 and spare wheels and rechargable batteries for your 2.4 pistol grip remote control plus a charger and fuel and glow plugs, buy the way, the INFERNO's GX.21 engine likes O.S A3 and A5 glow plugs and SIDEWINDER 25° fuel.
What ever you get, welcome to the hobby, have fun.[

P.S, check out my garage, I've got one(KYOSHO INFERNO MP7.5 mk3) It's an old one but still runs great.(+/-5years old)