Racing with BL, what all is needed? How friendly are tracks

[Finnster]

So I'm still gearing up to go racing with my BL Revo. I've never raced before, adn I'm still trying to get everything together to be ready. Went to my first race over the weekend to just watch adn see how things run, but I still have a few questions on the logistics of racing w/ BL.

Looks like I will have to remove the CD and run in the MT class. Talked to a few people there, and they basically said w/ the CD the Revo would have to goto the Truggy class, but they just really can't keep up w/ the dedicated truggies. Seeing just how fickle the Revo CD is to begin with, I'll just go to the MT class. Looks like mains are 20 min. Heats are 15 min IIRC.

1.) Batts: What do people generally use? Lipos for the most part, but when running multiple heats, how do you keep enough batts charged? I don't have desire or $ to maintain multiple fleets of batts. Sadly I killed by 2x2S 15C 6400 packs, so all I have now is a 4S 10C 8000 mah TrueRc pack. Longer runtime, but noticebly less punch than the 15C pack. Def should last thru a main (30 min runtime likely, yes?)

I did decide to get some A123s. Last little experience has pushed me there. What I'm thinking of doing is running a 5s2P pack. Good power, enough runtime for 15 min I think (hope), but can be fast charged repeatedly. Aircraft guys charge these as high as 20A, so a full charge between heats. Downside is they are heavy, nearly as much as the 4S 8ah pack. :( But they are cheap, adn I won't blow up anything.

I'm getting a TP 1010C, so I'm looking to charge these @ 10A. It would be nice to get a lightweight 4S lipo pack down the road, but $$ and still makes be nervous for now.

2.) Pitstops:
Does anyone do this? I don't know if pits are forced. Everyone is nitro, they really have no clue about BL, all nitros just do it. If I have to do it, its ok, just a pain and slow vs a fuel up (batt swap.) Who do you get to do a pit for you? Will other guys just do it? the stand is 15 ft, so not like you can run down and do it yourself.

3.) BL Friendly?

Just how open to BL are people finding tracks to be? I talked to the track manager, he said did not know about BL, but I could prob run in the MT or Truggy class (first he said 1/10 elec, but I'm sure that would not go down.) It was a kind of "sure, whatever" answer.. but that doesn't mean all the racers will be like that. Some of the people who run the MT class said the motor choice was open, from BB to stock motors, but most people just run OS18s in their Revos as any bigger is too much for the smaller tighter track. I didn't say anything about BL at the time, just figure I'll show up and see what happens. I figure they have the option of putting as big as motor as they want, having BL is not that huge of adv.

4.) Motor: I have an 8XL/MM on RCM mount w/ manual brakes. So far temps have been really good to me, but I don't drive as hard as racing can be. The gearing is 16.3:1, which is as good as I've ever gotten it. Motor/esc temps seems really balanced. Speed is ~38-41 I would guess. Its a bit fast for the track, but I don't want to gear down else motor runs too hot, and I'm not want to put out more $ for a new motor. I'd like a Lehner one day, but need to make sure I'll like racing 1st, and track will allow me to run before I sink even more $$$ in. I suppose I could just make a 4s2P A123 but... Is this hopeless?

Aside from charger, batts, powersupply, few extra parts, and tools, is there anything else I need? Thanks

Oh, and when for the RCM bash @ barnstormers dammit? nothings posted..