I've recently started tossing around the idea of getting back into racing. I got out of it and started bashing my off road stuff a bit and flying (planes and helis) because I wasn't enjoying myself racing ETC in a parking lot and got tired of taking an hour, rushing to fix the car for a 5 minute heat. I could understand tweaking it to improve the setup and checking it over for any issues. However, after each heat I was troubleshooting something that caused me a DNF, and didn't get the chance for time constraints to do anything more. I never really wanted to do ETC anyway, but kinda had to at the time to race anything. I always prefered off road.

I have bashed on a couple of 1/8th scales before, but never raced one other than in a "monster truck" class at a local parking lot venue (that X-Terminator did VERY well). I have raced a bit of 1/10th electric stadium truck off road as well (at the track that I'm looking at going to). After a couple years hiatus from racing of any kind, I found that the 1/8th scale class is picking up at a nearby off road track. Hence my renewed interest in racing. I'll be starting in the sportsman class, and if I find that I'm too fast for that, I'll move up to their "pro" class (very doubtfull, but hey, I can dream, right? ).

In getting back into racing, I want to do it up right and not cheap out on anything. Hence my choice of either a bare bones race roller or a full on kit, so I can choose my electronics and engine. This buggy will be used ONLY for racing since I have a T-Maxx and Mini-T for backyard bashing. I'm not overly concerned about local parts availability. There is an LHS a short distance from the track, plus a couple more closer to me. If my LHS doesn't support the buggy, I'll go online and stock up on spares.

The track that it will be run on is a combination of technical turns and jumps, and long straightaways. I'm not 100% positive on the track surface and traction, but if I remember correctly, the surface is red clay and is usually pretty gooey. The total racing distance is about 1200 feet per lap. Below is a link to the track.

[link=http://www.capefearraceway.com/]http://www.capefearraceway.com/[/link]

Whatever the buggy, I'm looking at an OS .21VZ-B V-Spec-T(P) engine, Hitec HS-5625MG servos for both throttle and steering, a Venom 7.4V 2100mah LiPo hump pack, and I'm even tossing around the idea of getting a new Spektrum DX3R to replace my old DX3 (first version). I am open to suggestions for better gear, however. If you suggest a different part, please explain why.

The buggies that I'm looking at are:
-Hot Bodies D8
-Ofna Hyper 9 Pro
-Associated RC8B Factory Team
-Mugen MBX6 (both STD and M-Spec)
-O'Donnell Z01B-SG
-Ofna Jammin' X2 Pro
-Losi 8IGHT 2.0 Race Roller
-Tamiya GP TRF801X

I couldn't find a Kyosho Inferno series (I only looked at Tower and Horizon), so if they're still in production and anyone has any thoughts (and a link) on it, it'll be in consideration as well.

Instead of asking which buggy is better than the rest (that'll open up a can of worms, and I'll get a different opinion from everyone that posts), I'm asking what are the pros and cons of each buggy relating to the track I intend to race on?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Shannon