[jhautz]

Nice work!. Both are nice looking layouts with pluses and minuses.

Layout 1 has a higher center of gravity. But I like the way the weight is a little biased toward the front. I think it will help 2 things: Weight toward the front for better bite in the turns and second it will also help keep weight on the front wheels while accelerating out of the turns for better acceleration.

Layout 2 has a lower COG but the weight set farther back spread out a littel wider.

Overall I like layout 1 better. For ther reasons above and it looks a little more original. I havent seen one done quite like that.