locally everyone either has or wants a losi 22sct for 2wd class. many do run the associated sc10s, but thats only because their invested in associated in all their other classes. I just got my first racer, a b4.2kit put in a LRP esc and reedy sonic 17.5spec motor timing at 20deg and will put a low profile savox servo, I'm not sure the part number its about $65 and then either gensacearespammers packs or SMC, haven't decided. I like the slow speed of the spec class because it really lets you focus on driving more. I know the reedy sonic 17.5 motor is what all local racers use, unless they use a trinity d3 17.5 It cannot be the d3.5 17.5 as it is banned by ROAR. I was going to start in the SCT class, but was told by quite a few avid racers that the buggy class is where you learn the most, and really get into dialing in your rig once you can drive a whole race without crashing once.
But every local racing scene is different I just know it here locally. If you plan to actually race ask some locals what they run and what everyone else runs and follow suit. It is alot easier to get help when 20 other people are running the same thing you are.
I was going to start with all losi hardware, but so many people run associated it just made sense that as my first real race rig that I get something where If there is 5 people at a track one or more will be running what I have.
You also asked about aftermarket support, I would stick to associated or losi on 1/10th offroad. when racing your dont want rpm arms, or things that flex you need very little slop and play. there are some good hop ups and mods but most of them are all made by the company itself. The one RPM hopup that is avail are the bumpers which are great when bashing around the track.
so far this is what I gathered from my past few months of research and time spent talking to LHS, racers at tracks, and local people on different forums. your greatest resource comes from those guys you see that are sponsored or constantly in the a-main. I know for a fact that in many sponsors contracts that they are required to assist people when they can to help promote their product.
