I also generally try to play a new race each time... there are so many excellent shipsets available.
This is a good opportunity to give "mad props" uhhh... I mean thanks... to the artists behind some of my Favorites:
Narn (great colors and textures)
Eysk (just darn cool)
Ixaris (very alien looking, damn scary)
PaceanOne (beautiful work)
Star Empire of Romii (perfect for the "flying saucer" effect)
Vidrihne (very sweet; especially against the dark backdrop, like nothing else)
So thanks for the great work. I also like many many more, but these seem to stand out for me right now.