high school "engineering innovations" science fair comp. R/C help needed!

[edep345]

Hi, it has been a while since I've posted on RCM but after looking around I feel that this is the only site where I can get meaningful insight from an experienced group of people :)

My physics teacher in high school inspired me to create something I never thought possible. A hybrid rc car, brushless motor of course!


I know this is an "electric ONLY" forum, and before anyone objects and tells me to make it complete brushless, this idea has always been in my mind and it wasn't until today in class that I realized something like this could be possible. It would mean a lot to me if I could get this done with the help of RCM...


some obvious questions came up:

Which layout to use? If any. Should I go budget friendly with a 250 crt.5 with the engine and motor mounts already? I'm open to any suggestions here,
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and more importantly, to make this as realistic as possible, what will I use to replace the computerized shifting technology in full scaled hybrids from electric to engine?

currently multiple speed transmissions are used with either electric conversions or available as select hop ups for nitros. Does anyone have any thoughts on using that same idea of the gears inside there that spin to a certain rpm and then "shift into the 2nd gear" (sorry that's about all I know) But I thought the same idea where this gear spinning could instead trigger the ignition somehow to start, maybe tinker with Losi's R.O.S.S. ?



so as you can see, I am kind of clueless as to where to start...but I have time to plan everything perfectly if I want to enter this in the summer, or next year when I am a senior in high school..it will give me something to combat senioritis with.

Thank you for time and consideration :)