Rob, Go to the AMA site. They have info on competition pattern flying . I can`t make heads or tails out of it, but it`s a starting point. Or an other option is to hang out with the Dude`s!!! Some are 13 years old and some are 84 , Hang out with Dudes or Dudettes and they`ll show yuo how it`s done.
Back to the topic, If you are talking the big one ,go gas. Glow will be spendy ,
Venus .40 size ,2 or 4 will work. depends on your style of flying . I have one 2 stroke and it sits in a drawer and I gave the others away. But I like torque so I`m partial