Tommy - the bigger banner size that you are using between the new and existing links works because even for the dialup users, it has time to load by the time they look thru the "new" listings - if they get as far as the existing listings it will be there for them to see
For the top spot and the spot just before the "new" listings you might try a different size - not necessarily bigger but just something to break the routine - especially if you could do like a 180x180 or 200x200 with a text box next to it - with huge lettering in it - accomplishes two things - one it breaks the "mold" of the same old banner size ... and two - it gives you more text to feed to the SE's
