Just thought I would bring up some conversation about the mini's they were in another topic here and some interesting things were being said and I enjoyed reading them. I personaly race a mini and love it and best of all its safer. Don't get me wrong I like racing mower's as well I just fell safer in a mini. As to looking disproportioned I have to agree but they were designed to be cost effective, 8" tires 16-750-8 lawn mower tires all the way around. Vertical shaft motors are easier to find and easier to set up the drive train. The stock class runs inteks only because there cheap. As far as the chassis its very similar to a mower grasscar front axle with an arc rack pinion steering, Rear axle is live just like a mower build, ragb is used with a star clutch. The biggest difference is 48" width and the wheelbase. I personally think they would look better with 18-10-10 tires on the rear but our rules don't allow that. Anyone can start there own club and change the rules to suit them such as bigger wheels and tires even racing tires . As far as a horiz shaft it would be tight but I think it could work. What I can tell you the modified's are a blast to drive they light the tires up all the time you have to pedal the throttle and that's what I enjoy.