Getting Started with Mini-Z Racing

Everything you need to know before your first race night at Tassie Mini-Z Club.

23rd April 2026 Chris 2 min read

So you want to try Mini-Z racing. Good — it’s the easiest way into RC without needing a garage, a field, or a second mortgage. Here’s what to know before your first night.

Stylised modular foam track grid — You will spend more time thinking about tiles than you expect — in a good way.

Stylised top-down outline of a small touring car — Palm-sized, hobby-grade, and surprisingly serious once the tone sounds.

What is a Mini-Z?

Foam-track indoor racing at a glance — the same scale and discipline, even when our Hobart layout is different.

Mini-Z cars are 1/27 scale radio-controlled cars made by Kyosho. They’re about the size of a TV remote, run on AA batteries, and race on indoor tracks made from foam barriers on a polished floor. The cars are precise, quick, and surprisingly competitive.

What you need to get started

Absolute minimum:

A Mini-Z car (Kyosho MR-04 or MA-030 are the most common for new RWD kits). A ready-to-run (RTR) kit includes the car, transmitter, and batteries.
4× AA batteries for the transmitter
4× AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries for the car (or the included AAAs to start)
A charger for the rechargeable batteries

Nice to have:

Spare body clips and a spare body shell
A small parts box or case to carry the car
A set of spare tyres (they wear out)
A tyre truer — for getting consistent grip

Don’t need yet:

Brushless motors, LiPo batteries, or hop-up parts. Get a few races in first.

First night at the club

Check the events page for the next race or practice session.
Turn up — no booking required. Practice sessions are the best way to start.
Talk to someone — we’ll get you on the track, help with setup, and can usually lend a car if you don’t have one yet.
No entry fee — club practice and racing are free for everyone.

Classes

We run several classes to keep racing fair. On a typical programme you might see:

Box Stock — factory-spec cars with no modifications. The best class for beginners.
Open 2WD / Open 4WD — modified cars with upgraded motors, electronics, and tyres.
AAA and 2500 — separate touring classes with their own published limits (not the same as Box Stock or full Open).
F1 — Formula-style open-wheel Mini-Z when that class is on the card.

Check the classes explainer for full details.

Where to buy

Kyosho Mini-Z cars are available from Australian hobby shops and international retailers. A ready-to-run kit typically costs $250–$400 AUD. Ask at the club — members often know where to find deals or have second-hand cars for sale.

Still not sure?

Come to a practice night, watch a few heats, and have a go with a loaner. That’s how most of us started.

guides getting-started

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