Optimum 8 Player Configuration

[Quark]

Just some random nits and additions here. Note that my suggestions probably won't work out to "2 for each race".

1) Druid - Night Elf
Explanation: I start with the Druid because it's the easiest.  Only Night Elves can be Druids.  Done deal.  All this means is that a Night Elf spot is automatically assigned, leaving just one to decide on.
Tradeskills: Skinning/Leatherworking for the Leather and Mail later on.

Nix the mail part :)
Recommendation for Tribal specialization, too.

2) Rogue - Night Elf
Explanation: I selected Night Elf for the Rogue.  This is due to Shadowmeld which provides a boost to stealth when in stealth mode, and the 1% chance to dodge bonus.  Rogues love dodging, and this seems to fit in the best compared to the other races.
Tradeskills: Skinning/Leatherworking, since Rogues are major Leather wearers.

Recommend Elemental Leatherworking here.

3) Warrior - Dwarf
Explanation: Gun specialization for ranged attacks and the situationally awesome Stoneform provide useful bonuses for a tanking Warrior.
Tradeskills: Mining/Blacksmithing, since Warriors are major platemail wearers.

Stoneform seems usefull for a warrior, but on a PvP realm you may want Gnome for Escape Artist.

6) Priest - Human
Explanation: 5% spirit boost, aww yeah.  I love Insane Mana Regen.™  Mace specialization doesn't hurt, either, for when the Priest is using one over a staff.  The Human Priest special spells with Desperate Prayer are more useful than the Night Elf Priest Starshards attack spell (which I have found with my level 60 Night Elf Priest to be no more useful than a Smite or Mind Blast, it just looks prettier) and Elune's Grace, which lowers ranged physical attack damage a bit.
Tradeskills: Hebalism/Alchemy, because somebody's gotta do it.

You do lose the awesome Fear Ward with this. Fear Ward is a definate game-changing spell. If you need faction with the Timbermaw (not sure for Alchemy), then the Diplomacy bonus will help somewhat.

7) Mage - Gnome
Explanation: Um, 5% Intelligence bonus.  I believe that's a "Nuff said."
Tradeskills: Mining/Engineering, because the passive Engineering bonus should be taken advantage of.

Counterpoint: I love the freedom Herb/Alch gives me as a Gnome Mage. I can afford to be a little more risky then normal, because if I get in a bad situation, I know using my pots won't hurt too much. On Ramala, however, I hate using pots.

8) Warlock - Gnome
Explanation: 5% Intelligence bonus, yes, but also Escape Artist.  Warlocks lack an "escape" skill and this can help a little bit if they are snared.  While Mages can Blink/Frost Nova and Priest can Psychic Scream if they're in trouble, a Warlock has no real multi-enemy "oh crap" ability, and can use all the help they can get.
Tradeskills: Tailoring/Enchanting, because Warlocks get free mounts and Enchanters are always hard up for cash.  At least they won't have to pay for a mount on top of all that money drain.

I think as this latest patch develops, Warlocks will be paying more for mounts than other classes. Their epic mounts require items aquired through many different tradeskills. These are player driven markets, and players are going to see the higher demand and raise the prices. Current estimations for Warlock/Pally epic mounts go from 550g-700g depending on server prices. It's gonna get worse.