People are still running sub C's. I changed to Lipo last year and havent touched my NiMh since.. (they are obviously toast by now from being stored for so long)
As for motors.. Almost everyone is running Brushless now just to get rid of the whole motor maintenance thing. In fact, When I changed over to electric again, I ran one race in stock with a 19T motor, and got pulled on the straights so hard by other "stock" motors.. I changed over to BL that evening. I dont have the time money or experience with Elec Motors to hang with the hardcore guys of old. Sad part is.. With a slower car.. I was faster! Thats normally the case when I run though.