If you are considering racing then I would recommend going to your local club before you spend any money.
Its very easy to buy something unsuitable as a basher and then find you cant race it or its very expensive to upgrade.
The madrat RTR is pretty good value for money and is perfectly competitive in club racing for a beginner. However most of the guys at my club have upgraded the radio, shocks, motor and other parts for racing... if you are planning on racing then its generally better to buy the right things first, rather than have to upgrade later.
For raicing a lipo battery and a decent charger will be better than a few NIMH packs, but a single battery isnt great for bashing as you get less run time.
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