[MichaelBick]

It largely comes down to what kind of frames you build and what your final power transmission stage is. However, there are ways of getting around the disadvantages of either.

Dead axle is nice because the axle becomes a structural member. This is really helpful on sheet drives which can easily get crushed. In non cantilevered drives dead axle is usually easier to service. Dead axles also can be easier to machine, because you don't need to precisely machine bearing holes. However dead axles can be harder to tension without losing efficiency somewhere. A nice way of getting around this is by using C-C belts, though this may be above the capabilities of some teams.

Live axles tend to be better to use in cantilevered wheel drives. Live axles also have an easier time direct driving wheels, which makes it easier to make live axles lighter, more efficient, and more reliable. Live axles are harder to machine if you don't have the ability to precisely machine bearing holes, however are easier to efficiently tension.

Regardless, speed and torque have nothing to do with which axle type you choose and everything to do with your gearing. Dead axles don't have to have more backlash then live axles either. For example 971 uses gears to direct drive their center wheel from their 1 stage transmissions which allows them to have the same efficiency and backlash as any live axle team.