Wongataa

I haven't done any track driving.

I have a DB01. I prefer the Baldre body shell (it has more room underneath) as the Durga shell won't fit over my electronics and wiring. I think it drives really well. I have hopped it up somewhat with TRF dampers and aluminium suspension mounts.

What you need to do is work out the possible customs charges and VAT and add it to the price. Then if you get charged you have budgeted for it and if you don't get charged or get charged less than you could be it is a bonus. Customs duty for models is 4.7%. VAT is 20%. VAT is applied on the price after the duty is added. I have bought a r/c kit from Rcmart. I had to pay some customs charges but it was less that it could of been so I was happy. How much you get charged will partly be down to how much the supplier declares the cost of the item is. They maybe naughty and not declare the full price. Then it will depend on how much customs check into the item. Don't forget to add on the fees from the delivery company if you need to pay customs charges.

You could put the ESC in a bladder but that would cause heat issues as it would prevent air getting to the heatsink.

DB-01

I do it like in the manual - some needle nose pliers with paper towel around the shaft to protect it. It works just fine and I haven't scratched a piston rod.

Not really. I work out what the price is with all the correct tariffs and VAT added. If it gets through without attracting the fees or less fees than I was expecting I consider it a nice bonus. Some sellers may be naughty and declare lower values for the goods to try and reduce the duty you might be charged. If you want to look up the import & export duty for anything you can do so here: https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/sections. Just find the category the product you are look at fits into. once you have the duty add it to the cost of the goods and the postage. Then work out the VAT due (20% in the UK) on the price you just worked out.

I have no idea what voltage rating they would have. Maybe try a AA battery? 1.5V shouldn't kill the motor but would hopefully provide enough power to get it to spin if it is OK. Hopefully the motor would have something printed on it which would help identify the specs.

2S LiPo is 7.4V. That is so close to the 7.2V NiMH that there is no problem with going to 2S LiPo and you won't break stock stuff with them.

Try taking the motors out and powering them outside of the tank to see if they spin.

Bought my first on road kit! Just got to decide what body to get for it now.