Yes it is a tad slower than the sportwerks .26 that i had in there but that thing was insane! The rg has such good throttle control..and being smooth always = faster laps. Ive watched many savages that have a hard time turning cause there lifting the front wheels off the ground just trying to get around a turn. As far as the rg not keeping up outside in my buggy...will just have to see about that!