ORIGINAL: Doug Cronkhite
What one person does isn't really indicative of the rest of the sport though. If the gas engines become feasible you open up the market a bit.
ZDZ-40 RE starts to look interesting as does possible new engines from a couple well respected manufacturers. Overall initial cost would be a bit less than a YS 1.40 DZ, with a lot more power, and a $2/gallon fuel cost, saving you a lot of money over the season in fuel alone. Then there is the ease of use. Set the carb and basically forget it.
The increased power available offers up some very interesting design possibilities too all staying within the 2m box. Especially if we get a slight weight increase to play with.
-Doug
Have you followed any of Matt Kebabjian's threads? Gas powered is 100%viable. The OS 33GT on an ESpipe is one heck of a good engine. Other choices work too, but that 33GTis worth a look if serious about trying gas powered. Much lighter than the ZDZ, very powerfuland well mannered. The only drawback is the side exhaust, but it can be accomodated with a few pieces of pipe elbows brazed together.