Quote Originally Posted by typhoon_driver
The topic of an easy starter class is a non starter in my book for a number of reasons.
How do you define starter class?
Weightclass ain't a good definition. There are antweights that are more expensive than heavies.
Allowed materials? Riveting ali sheet is cheap, welding the same sheet is rather expensive.

- Any class started up, it doesn't take long for those in the know to take builds to the limits of what's possible
Yep. for example. the German raptors have a limitation on motorsize and magnet-technology. Speed 700 can-size and no rare earth magnets. But that didn't stop people to use more smaller motors to achive the goal of more power.
- You don't have to have a great deal of cash or materials available. BITZA being a prime example, built on the cheap and it survived a fight with one of the deadliest machines in the arena at that time
- A simple steel box rammer is easy enough to throw together with a drill and a cheap welder and until recently these were the machines winning the competitions
BonX survived a US competition. And the current rebuild is even stronger and better shaped. A BonX clone with a cheaper drive still is worth the effort.