[AndreaV]

Cantilevered shafts!
You should do a search for it, I am sure many people go over it in great detail.
Last year we had .5" hardened steel cantilevered shafts for our drivetrain,they stuck out just under 3". After 2 regional, champs, and IRI the shafts were exactly the same as they were during assembly. Many teams use aluminum with no issue, it was just our first year trying it so we played it safe. We used bolts and circlips to hold the extremly sticky colsons on, no problems. the weight isn't too much less, aluminum shafts would have saved some weight. Yhe biggest advantage is space, the ease of wheel/drive train access.

Cantilevered wheels are a must have for West Coast Drive, I suggest you look into that too.