After testing with the ball, we decided that we needed to be lower to the ground, which also helped our other potential problem: the center of gravity. This new drive train uses the kit gearbox on a 12.75:1 final ratio and is a 6wd with the center wheel dropped 1/8". Estimates from our calculations guru say this baby will move at about 8.9fps.
(p.s. that is not this years electronics board, we decided to just use the '07 electronics to test the base, and are putting them back on once prototyping and a final design is decided upon.)