You've asked a lot of questions, i'll take a stab.

1. Novak is a very good system and I'd say that the GTB along with the LRP Sphere competition the Tekin and Speed Passion are the ones I'd look at. The 3.5R and 4.5R are good for high speed runs but are not roar legal unless it's in a modified class. I believe they have 17.5t and 27t classes.

2. Batteries are just batteries. Lipos are better than nimh but they are just technology. You can use Lipo, Nimh or nicad... and that's the order of performance you'd get. 7.4v lipos are roar legal as long as they are hard cased. Look at trakpower and orion.

3. I hear the ICE is a good charger but I personally use the Thunder Power 610C due to the higher amp charge rate.

4. If you're racing then Associated (TC5R), Hot Bodies (Cyclone S), Xray, Tamiya (TRF416)... etc. are all good.