There is a company called Federal sandrails that use a unique way of running their cars. The motors are sideways on the two seaters. Kinda pricey at 38,500.

www.federalsandrail.com

I took a look at this web site and found it very intersting, check out this web site, let me know what you think of this design.
http://www.sinistersandsports.com/2-seater/index.html

my mistake I didn't know federal was selling yoshi's rails.

my buddy built a sandbullet with a stock Busa...it's a rocket, will run with just about anything out there other than the turbo Busa rails. The kool thing is you can replace the engine & tranny for much less than replacing a big car's tranny by itself.
Another friend is starting to build his own cars and is almost done with the frame and jig, he is going with the zx14 motor..I'll have to post pics of the prototype when it's done.

The 2 seaters don't have the motor sideways anymore. I built the prototype that way when I was running the transworks reverse diff. I blew the unit up about 6 time and finally had to switch to a different unit, so all the motors are forward mounted now....

The reason most mini's don't turn the greatest in the sand is due to the live axle. I can tell you from personal experience in live axle rail that even gunning it on the pavement and cranking the wheel will usually send you going straight with the wheels turned, lol. The minis running the diff's turn great, and are able to use turning brakes if needed, so they can turn very good if they have a diff.

You can take any car you want, even the funco which you know to be a good rail, and lock the diff and it won't turn very well. Mini's aren't bad turning by nature, the live axle is IF your unfamiliar with driving them.

The live axle is a lot of fun though, i've driven both, and I personally like the live axle. Once you learn how to work the gas right to turn, the ass end whips around great. I've had a lot of fun in both setups though, it's personal prefrence....

Actually, I meant why most mini's don't turn the greatest, not just in sand. They actually turn better in sand and loose surfaces because the wheel that needs to slip is able to better, altho not as easy as a vehicle with a diff...