Gear Guide — What to Buy and What to Skip

Mini-Z is one of the cheapest ways into competitive RC.

But the upgrade rabbit hole is real. Here’s what actually matters for racing on our foam RCP track.

The essentials

The car

A Kyosho Mini-Z RTR kit is the starting point. RTR means “ready to run” — car, transmitter, and batteries in the box.

• MR-04 (Readyset or EVO) — rear-wheel-drive, the chassis generation we’re standardising on at the club
• MA-030 EVO — all-wheel-drive, more stable, good for beginners
• Budget: $250–$400 AUD for a complete RTR

Batteries

• Car: 4× AAA NiMH rechargeables (750–900mAh). Get at least two sets so you can rotate.
• Transmitter: 4× AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH)
• Charger: Any smart charger that handles AAA NiMH. The SkyRC NC1500 is popular.

Tyres

Tyres wear out and are the single biggest factor in grip. Stock tyres are fine to start. When you’re ready to upgrade:

• Rear tyres have the biggest impact on lap times
• Kyosho, PN Racing, and Atomic all make good options
• Compound matters — softer = more grip but faster wear. Ask at the club what works on our floor.

Worth upgrading

These make a genuine difference once you’re past the first few race weekends:

• Ball differential (rear-drive cars) — smoother power delivery, more consistent cornering
• Aluminium motor mount — better heat dissipation, more rigid
• Tyre truer — essential if you want consistent grip. The Hudy is the gold standard but there are cheaper options.
• A decent car case — Mini-Z cars are small and fragile. A padded case saves body shells.

Skip for now

• Brushless motors — relevant once you move into Open 2WD, AAA, 2500, or F1; not until you’re competitive in Box Stock
• LiPo batteries — not allowed in Box Stock, and AAA NiMH is simpler
• Carbon fibre chassis plates — marginal gains, easy to break
• Expensive body shells — buy a cheap practice body first

Where to buy in Australia

Start with the club shop — Tassie Mini-Z online store stocks 1:28 / Mini-Z parts we race: Das Speed, PN Racing, Silver Horse, MWX, Xbility, and more. AUD pricing, ships AU & NZ. Full guide: Buy Mini-Z parts in Australia.

Then, for Readysets and items we do not stock:

• Kyosho Australia dealers (check the Kyosho website for stockists)
• eBay AU — good for second-hand cars and parts
• Hobby shops — if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby
• Direct from Japan — sites like RCMart, Superg Patch, and RC Booya ship to Australia. Allow 1–2 weeks.

The Das Speed Wheel

We sell the Das Speed Wheel in our Das Speed aisle — a transmitter steering wheel upgrade (not a car wheel). It fits most common pistol-grip RC controllers racers already use, including many setups beside Mini-Z. If you want better wheel feel at the drivers’ stand, it is worth a look.