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A Mini 4wd, generally referred to Tamiya Mini4wd,  is powered by two AA batteries and a motor. A big characteristic is that no remote is required.

 

Mini 4wd racing is fun and challenging. Without remote control, the car is able to run at a lightning fast speed. It requires racer's experience of understanding the track and knowledge of cars and parts. It is a safe motorsport that is suitable for all ages and genders. Enjoy the fun of modification!

 

History of Tamiya Mini 4wd and other related products

 

The 1/32 model racing car "Mini 4wd" (Japanese: ミニ四駆, miniyonku) was invented by Tamiya, a plastic model kits manufacterur, in 1982. The idea of Mini 4wd, according to the founder of Tamiya Inc., Mr. Yoshio Tamiya, was to reduce the over-complexity of the plastic model kits produced in the company. "(Plastic model) kits that children are able to work with" is the main concept of Mini 4wd. Another important concept of Mini 4wd is "a 4-wheel-drive model kit that can run anywhere".

 

Tamiya started developing the product by snaping instead of screwing and gluing the parts of kits together. Also, the manufacterur replaced the electrical wiring with the electric terminals. Tamiya successfully greatly reduced the number of parts. As a consequence, children were able to enjoy the fun of Mini 4wd with an affordable cost. The first Mini 4wd was Ford Ranger 4x4 (Item#19001). After times of evolution, Mini 4wd became an on-track motorsport with the rollers (guidewheels). Since then, other plastic model kits manufacturers such as Bandai, Tokyo Marui, Kyusho, Auldey, started to produce similar products.  Their products are sometimes replicas of the orginal Tamiya models with a lower price. One sidenote is that the Japanese name "ミニ四駆" is a registered trademark of Tamiya Inc..

 

Population of Mini 4wd boomed during the 1st (1988-1991) and the 2nd boom (1994-2000) with the manga and animation "Dash! Yonkuro" and "Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!". The first Japan Cup was held in Summer 1988. The hotwave was cooled down after 2000. After years, Mini 4wd was back with new series "Mini 4wd Pro" in 2005. The 3rd boom started as racers were back to the track.

 

Up to 2013, Mini 4wd has been expended from Asia to Americas and Europe. In the non-Asia countries, the are racing clubs in Australia, Canada, US, Italy, UK, Romania, France, Mexico...and more. From 1982-2012, in 30 years, 170 million of kits were sold.

 

 

By: Eric T (Contributor of Mini 4wd History in Wiki)

Source: Wikipedia of Mini 4wd (English, Japanese, Chinese)