View source for Mini 4WD

{{short description|Japanese line of scale model or racing cars}}
{{Distinguish|Mini All4 Racing}}
{{Infobox brand
| logo                   = 
| name                   = Mini 4WD
| type                   = Model car
| producedby             = [[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya]]
| origin                 = Japan
| introduced             = 1982
| related                = 
| markets                = Worldwide
}}
[[Image:Mini 4WD.JPG|thumb|right|''Rising Trigger'' from [[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya]] and upgradeable components]]
[[Image:DASH-3.JPG|thumb|right|Racing Mini 4WD Dash-3 ''Shooting Star'' from ''[[Dash! Yonkuro]]'']]
[[Image:US-CUP-2014-5-LANE-TRACK.png|thumb|right|5 lane track taken in 2014]]
{{nihongo|'''Mini 4WD'''|ミニ四駆|Mini Yonku}} is a powered toy car generally 1:32 in scale equipped with [[4WD]].  The cars are used for racing, built to run on a U-shaped track.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tamiyausa.com/media/files/2016-mini-4wd-dealer-guide-911-0371.pdf |title=2016-mini-4wd-dealer-guide |publisher=[[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya USA]] |access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref>

==History==
The Mini 4WD originated in Japan in 1982, when toy manufacturer [[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya]] introduced Mini 4WD race cars. A Mini 4WD race car is a 1:32 scale kit featuring four-wheel drive powered by an electric motor using a pair of [[AA battery|AA batteries]]. A single electric motor turns both axles. These kits snap and screw together without the need for glue.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rcdriver.com/the-tamiya-mini-4wd-phenomena/ |title=The Tamiya Mini 4WD Phenomena |last=Onorato |first=Paul |website=RC Driver |date=2019-05-31 |access-date=2020-09-26|language=en-US}}</ref>

By the late 1980s, the Mini 4WD hobby was well-established in Japan, and it began taking off in the United States as well. In February 1989, several American and Japanese companies unveiled their versions at the annual toy fair in New York.<ref name="NYMag">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NucCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20 |title=Star Vehicles |last=Kanner |first=Bernice |magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=1989-12-11 |access-date=2022-03-07}}</ref> In late 1989, an average Japanese boy owned eight to 11 Mini 4WD cars.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/11/24/hottest-toys-under-the-tree/b8a8d440-3e45-4863-9042-12eaf3c35415/ |title=Hottest Toys Under the Tree |last=Harrington |first=Richard |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=1989-11-24 |access-date=2020-09-26|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> By November 1989, [[Hasbro]] introduced their [[Record Breakers: World of Speed]] series of cars, imported from Japan. [[Mattel]], [[Matchbox]], and others were also expected to release their own versions.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959114,00.html |title=Toys: Fuzz Busters Not Included |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=1989-11-27 |access-date=2022-03-07}}</ref>

By the 2000s, many other companies had ventured into the Mini 4WD market, including [[Tokyo Marui]], [[Kyosho]], [[Academy Plastic Model|Academy]], [[Aoshima Bunka Kyozai]], [[Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox]], [[Revell]], [[Hot Wheels]], [[Tonka]], [[Hasbro]], [[Auldey]] and [[Bandai]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

On June 23, 2019, the Tamiya Mini 4WD Asia Challenge was held at the [[Glorietta]] shopping mall in [[Makati]], Philippines. Over 200 participants (including 87 foreigners) attended the event.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/industry-news/tamiya-mini-4wd-asia-challenge-a2671-20190628 |title=Tamiya holds Mini 4WD Asia Challenge in Manila |last=Martin |first=Lije |magazine=[[Top Gear Philippines]] |publisher=[[Summit Media]] |date=2019-06-28 |access-date=2020-09-27}}</ref> To commemorate the event, Tamiya released a 1:32 scale mini 4WD car of the distinctive [[Jeepney]] named "Dyipne".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://technology.inquirer.net/87437/tamiya-creates-jeepney-mini-4wd-kit |title=Tamiya creates jeepney Mini 4WD kit |last=Arcadio |first=Ryan |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=2019-06-03 |access-date=2020-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/japanese-toymaker-tamiya-releases-special-060035576.html |title=Japanese Toymaker Tamiya Releases Special Edition, Jeepney-Inspired Model Kit |last=Cruz |first=Cheryl Anne |website=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=2019-06-06 |access-date=2022-03-07}}</ref>

=== World records ===
According to the [[Guinness World Records]], the world record for Longest Mini 4WD Track was created on
November 3, 2019 at 3,191.58 meters at Amagi Dome in [[Izu, Shizuoka]], Japan. It took a Mini 4WD car 12 minutes to circle the entire track.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-8000/longest-mini-4wd-race-track/ |title=Longest Mini 4WD race track |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] |access-date=2022-03-07}}</ref>

==Design==
A standard Mini 4WD vehicle is made of plastic using a [[Body-on-frame]] design.  The [[chassis]] contains the primary components including the AA batteries, motor, gearing, propeller shaft, drive axles, and wheels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tamiyausa.com/blog/mini-4wd-chassis-types/ |title=Mini 4wd Chassis Types |publisher=[[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya USA]] |access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref>  The body is purely decorative although some newer designs incorporate ducting to cool the motor.  The body and chassis are made from hard plastics like [[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|ABS]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/132-pro/jr-dcr-01/ |title=Specifications |publisher=[[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya USA]] |access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref>

Side rollers along the front, center, or rear of the vehicle are used to guide the vehicle around a U-shaped track.<ref name="About Mini 4WD">{{cite web |url=https://www.tamiyausa.com/about-mini4wd/ |title=About Mini 4WD |publisher=[[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya USA]] |access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref>

==Upgrading==
Because of the modular design, nearly all the components can be swapped and change the performance of the vehicle.  This allows the owner to customize the performance of the vehicle to the particular track.

Higher specification motors can be used to replace the standard FA-130 type motor.  There are three specifications that characterize all motors: [[Revolutions per minute|RPM]], [[torque]], and power-consumption.<ref name="TechTips">{{cite web |url=https://www.tamiyausa.com/mini4wd-techtips/ |title=Mini 4WD Racing Tech Tips |publisher=[[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya USA]] |access-date=2022-03-07}}</ref> RPM is the speed the motor provides, and the torque its strength. A higher RPM means higher maximum speed, higher torque gives more acceleration and allows the car to better withstand the difficulties of climbing slopes or running through turns.

Gears can also be replaced with sets with different ratios.  Common ratios include  (3.5:1), (3.7:1), (4:1), (4.2:1), (5:1), and "Special" (ratio varies but is usually 6.4:1). The higher the ratio, the better the acceleration rate and torque; the lower the ratio, the better the maximum speed.<ref name="TechTips"/>
[[File:9 Classic Mini 4WD.jpg|left|thumb|'''9 modern Classic Mini 4WD''']]
In a standard car, the left and right wheels are on a fixed axle.  Special one-way wheels can be added to allow the left and right wheels to rotate at different speeds acting as a [[Differential (mechanical device)|differential]], to allow for improved cornering performance.<ref name="About Mini 4WD"/>

In addition, upgrade parts such as bumper width extensions, stabilizers, and brakes can be added that aid in the car's performance through corners, banked turns, elevation changes, and jumps.<ref name="About Mini 4WD"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tamiyausa.com/blog/what-tamiya-mini-4wd/ |title=What is Tamiya Mini 4WD? |publisher=[[Tamiya Corporation|Tamiya USA]] |access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref>

In order to keep race competitions fun, exciting and fair, there are various guidelines<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Official Mini 4WD Race Regulations |url=https://www.tamiya.com/english/mini4wd/regulation.htm |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=www.tamiya.com |language=ja}}</ref> when it comes to upgrading and modification of parts, though different race organizers may have different rules and regulations to upgrades and modifications, which can also be further limited depending on the race class.

Race classes determine the type of modification and upgrade allowed for the race. There are different race classes depending on the organizer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-23 |title=Tamiya Mini 4WD Weekly Report |url=https://www.tamiyausa.com/blog/tamiya-mini-4wd-weekly-report/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Tamiya USA}}</ref> Examples of race classes are: Box Stock, Basic (also sometimes referred to as Pro-Stock), BMax, Tuned and Open Class. Box stock is a build what is in the box class which does not allow any sort of upgrades or modifications. Basic is box stock that allows some upgrades with limits such as using different motors and use of FRP plates for adding plastic rollers. BMax allows the same upgrades as basic but also allows the use of higher grade of parts such as bearings and carbon parts. Tuned class allows not only upgrades but some minimal modifications to the car. Open Class, considered to be an advanced racing class, allows more modifications such as cutting, drilling and trimming of parts, subject to certain limitations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mini4WD Open Category Rules and Regulations 2025 |url=https://www.lilshobbycenter.com.ph/pages/mini-4wd-open-category-rules-and-regulations-2025 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Lil's Hobby Center |language=en}}</ref>

==Street Mini 4WD==
The "Street Mini 4WD" (Japanese: "ストリートミニ四駆") is a racing sport activity that combines modeling with physical running. The athlete, in this sport, runs and drives a Mini 4WD. The model car is driven using "a guide stick".

The athletes then run alongside their models, controlling them and making them turn left or right using the guide stick.

Born in Italy in 1994 and affiliate CSEN (italian National Educational Sports Center) from 2023, Street Mini 4WD is a sport practiced in various countries around the world.

The Street Mini 4WD is a physical activity that involves running, coordination of movements and proprioception.

Street Mini 4WD athletes have the opportunity to learn technical basic concepts about how model cars work.

Although the Mini 4WD cars were produced in Japan, the street races have obtain a lot of interest in Italy where racers runs for many years in this kind of competitions as well as in the usual on-track ones.

The street racing in Italy employ a regulation based on the official Tamiya race regulation,<ref name=":0" /> but there aren't restricted to only Tamiya models and Grade-Up Parts. (For example, the use of battery from the other brands is allowed.)

==See also==
* ''[[Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!!]]'': A popular manga/anime based on Mini 4WD
* ''[[Dash! Yonkuro]]'': A popular [[manga]]/[[anime]] based on Mini 4WD
* ''[[Racer Mini Yonku: Japan Cup]]'': A [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] video game

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Mini 4WD}}
* {{Official website|https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/mini-4wd/}}
* {{URL|https://www.streetmini4wd.com/|Street Mini 4WD Official website}}
{{scale model}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mini 4wd}}
[[Category:Toy cars and trucks]]
[[Category:Slot car racing]]
[[Category:Tamiya Corporation]]
[[Category:1980s toys]]
[[Category:1990s toys]]
[[Category:2000s toys]]
[[Category:2010s toys]]
[[Category:Slot cars]]