RC controllers and receivers

[EricH]

You might want to take a look at Bill's Blog from today; the cRIO FRCII is due out in early October. Discounted price $285 (no modules) or $525 (with modules); this is assuming you haven't used your discount for this year yet. (Or, if you're really in a hurry, you can still get a cRIO... but I might go with the new one.)

Aside from that, there are the VRC controllers. You might be able to get your hands on an old IFI system.

If you're REALLY desperate, you could try an R/C controller like is used for a model airplane. The problem there is, you only get a form of PWM output, so goodbye CAN control...