Todd - I believe Serpent started this wave in the TC world. If you look at all the top TC cars (i.e. V1R/RR, MTX2/3, 705, except NTC3), you will find the same design in their layout.

Steering servos face down, middle belt on the exhaust side, pivot ball suspension, droop, etc. These items were only found in top 1/8 scale and 1/10th on-road (as opposed to 1/10 TC) as in Impact 235mm . Proven winning design.