I forgot to mention previously that I am using an additional MOSFET for the headlights. Below you can see them in action. Next steps will include immobilizing the car and making it into a stationary test / demo platform. My solution is a little big for the 1/18th scale, I think it will work much better on a 1/12th scale model. I also think it would be useful to have a desktop prototyping platform.

https://vine.co/v/ipAFLpuEWWg