When the spring rates are corrected, usually no ballast is required. That keeps the performance (power to weight) a little peppier.
It’s true that these TD kits are about the same curb weight and weight distribution as a dune buggy. We actually sit in the back seat area of the Beetle donor. However, we have the longer wheel base that places more weight on the front axle. Those Meyers Manx dune buggies were shortened like the Speedster are.
Several NJRC members had this modification performed on their Speedster replicas and could not believe the difference.
The cold has hit here at the NJ Shore. Commuter water ferry service to NYC has been halted due the rivers icing up. It’s not been above freezing for over a week and very windy.