[RC-Monster Mike]

A smooth finger doesn't take up any shock during hard impacts, such as a big jump landings or acceleration through a very rough terrain. Also, most mere mortals are nowhere near as smooth or consistant as a properly adjusted slipper will be - this is where slipper clutches improve performance. Likewise, an ESC cannot detect the terrain and reduce transferred torque "on demand" or "real time" - it can only manage the raw power output, while the slipper reacts to the terrain. As far as lap times go - there are a lot of variables. In low traction or very rough tracks, the Slipper's advantages show themselves to a larger degree than on a high bite, smooth track where traction control is less critical. In all cases, the slipper will reduce shock load to the rest of the drivetrain.