I'd not worry about personal transponders just yet, most clubs have handouts. To put it in perspective I have had a PT in my rallycross car since about 2003 ... it made it into my 1/10th 2WD buggy (my main class) for the first time ever on Sunday!

If I were you I'd get the car, the basic electronics (look at the Ansmann ESC, almost exactly a Speed Passion unit .. can even use the same programing box!) and get out and have fun.
As I said before this is where a good shop who understands the difference between a newbie and a national level driver is worth their weight in gold. They will advise what you NEED, and what is a "nice to have". They will treat you right as they want your repeat business.

As I have said give JE Spares (Ryan / Stu) a call and talk it over with them, very helpful and friendly guys. In the highly unlikely event, especially as you have chosen and Ansmann car, that JE can not help you along the right path get in touch with one of the other shops whos owners post on here. Those guys are in the know and will be only to happy help. MK Racing (Mark) and DMS (Darren) are examples.

There is absolutely no need to spend a fortune to get going at club level, 1/10th RC has never been cheaper in real terms than it is at the moment! The important thing is to get on track, find out what you like and what you don't and then work from there. For example having the right tires for £16 a set will make you much more competative than the latest greatest Lipo battery at £95.

Roger's right, no need for a transponder, most of us carry a camping table & a chair tho. (and a tent/gazebo)...........

Thinking, its a bit away from you - 1 hr - but if MotoArena do get off road running inside this winter it may be good for you, mains electric, warm, couple of 'team' ansmann drivers live almost local, talk is one night a week & one day at weekend.

(shame there used to be a good shop at Evesham, would have been handy)

Yeah seems unless this one at Long Marston doesnt work out its a long way to the next nearest.

Think this place is probably next closest, but again outside http://www.j12radioraceclub.com/index.php or after that I think its Coventry, not sure if Banbury has anything, or around there, need to do a bit more research.

But close towns for me really are, Banbury, Leamington, Warwick and closest being Stratford.

Ask RogerM, he's not far away, Banbury PDA closed last year, would have been perfect. (radioraceclub looks nitro) Coventry is good, raced there, well run etc.

Yeah spoke with RogerM via PM, he races at Kidderminster which is an hour or so away, not that far, but still far enough to try and find somewhere closer :)

Oh and both kits have just arrived like 10mins ago, theyre for Xmas presents, but the temptation is great to build mine now :P

Just out of interest, and having watched lots of videos, but it seems now basicaly everyone uses the trigger/wheel type transmitters, what is the advantage with those over the two stick layout?

There is no + over stick or wheel-Just preference.. and what is more comfortable to You..

I use wheel, a lot of the newer generation of driver's tend to run wheel.. I just find it easier. After flying 3D planes ect-My fingers get confused as they cant move all over only up down and left right haha so I use wheel.. and they to me is my preference. But its just what you would want.. tbh

Transmitter type is purely personal preference. I have used both, about 18 years with twin stick and then 7 years using a wheel somewhere in the middle of that. I've been back on sticks now for about 10 years or so.

Choose whatever is most natural for you. Some will tell you that one option is better because of this or that but just use what feels "right" for you.

Main advantage of the wheel used to be that you could get better featured sets for the same money as a basic stick set as they are more popular world over than sticks. That gap has narrowed with the likes of the Core twin stick unit.

I don't just race at Kidderminster, all over the place. Regular at Coventry and other mid west tracks and then Derby (Ardent) and Hereford over the winter.
All my racing is about an hour from me too, I live in the middle of off-road nowhere!!! :D

Were the video's American?

I think out of the 30+ regulars at York club there are 3 wheel transmitters...

Ah OK thats cool, the wheel type in my mind feels great, but only the other way round with right finger on the trigger, left finger on trigger doesnt feel natural at all, no idea why, but I figured if it was a better solution I would learn to adapt.

But if there is no real advantage to them over sticks then I will use those.

Sorry RogerM didnt mean to imply you only raced at one place, hope I didnt offend :)

yeah some of the better wheel tx's you can move the wheel over to the left side ect.. but if you like sticks.. then use them.. as most of the ones that can move side.. are more £ As far as I can think..