How small is smallish? Ants are very good for a starter, if a bit fiddly, and fairly inexpensive. I've recently started a Beetle, and that is similarly inexpensive but easier for bigger hands to work on.

There are pros and cons to each size, but Ants are much more popular, with more regular events and need less gear carting from event to event (well it's all smaller).

Having raced RC, you likely know more about radio gear than me and have your preferences already, and aside from your TX/RX, a basic machine is very simple; Speed Controller(s) and Motors.

If you want to look into an Ant there is an extremely good post http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/thre...e-an-antweight here.

After those basics, there is such huge variation on design and weights and things that it would be better to go into detail later.

Retro