It seems that most of the competition cars are belt driven, yet it seems like the shaft driven cars are less of a hassle and are less prone to the elements of the track.
Anyone have anything to say about the Ofna LD3 and the Mugen MSX 3 - everyone seems to have something to say about the Associated TC3
I'm basically looking for a competiton car that can actually handle those tracks that aren't so clean (not dirt tracks). Thanks for the help

I do not think on road nitro cars are ever supposed to be ran in the dirt.

There is a rally conversion for the electric TC3 to allow it go into the dirt.

I would like to hear everyones responses and experiences to this as well. I would love to take a nitro car in the dir - but that is why I also have an OFNA Hyper 7 PBS and a 2.5 TMaxx.

What about a friction difference between shaft and belt?

belts have less rotating mass then the shaft setup so you get more power moving the car then the driver train.

also you dont have to deal with trying to turn the power 90 deg at the diff so you have less friction there

When people post their replies - it would help me if they post how much experience with each - shaft or belt, they have.

Like me personally - I have a Nitro TC3 which is shaft. I have not yet owned a belt driven car, when I move I am thinking of getting a Mugen, which I think is belt driven.

which mugen were you thinking of and why?

I have not decided on which. But as for why: I see the people that have them and take a look - over all the quality and performance seems to be better than the other cars I have been comparing to. I mainly been comparing with the HPI Nitro cars.

hpi nitro cars CAN be competitive but were not designed NOR made for racing, so comparing a race bread company (associated or mugen) to hpi isn't possible, unless we're talking quality and durability.

I think HPI would strongly disagree with you there.

I see a lot of people race HPI.

ok ok we're getting off topic here. We are exploring the
merits or shaft drive vs belt drive in a racing situation.

i have both belt and shaft car hpi ss and first generation hpi nitro what i notice is on the shaft drive the SS its overall performance is better but i think its just the way i set it up but on the belt driven it takes off faster and i don't know why my clutch is set up the same way and the engines are fairly the same. but quote me if i'm wrong.you don't have to worry about rocks in the shaft drive though

you're not wrong, and for whisky, that's just my opinion. but thnx for the correction anyways

Here is something to ponder on. Belts vs Shaft (HPI)

If HPI truely believed in their shaft design (i.e. RS4-3) why did then abondoned this design in their soon-to-be released racer, the R40?

Look at the R40 CAD design. How does the layout look like? It looks like the MTX-3, V1RR, 705. Look at the pivot ball adjustment, droop (I think), 3-belt design, etc.

Looks like it is the first car they will release that will complete with the 1/10 TC mugen, Kyosho, Serpent, Trinity G4, etc racing quality cars.