FAQs

Yes!  This is only the start of many future events.  For the moment, we are dedicated to providing monthly access to a track for anyone that wants to run their machines along with quarterly competition.  With enough participation, we hope to increase the number and types of events we offer.

It is cool! And we thank you and all those who have offered to help.  There will be needs in the future, so feel free to contact us with your offer so we can reach out when we need help.  At the moment, the greatest help that can be provided is participation in our events in addition to assisting us in reaching those who might find this hobby fun.  So please spread the word while you get your machine ready for race day!

At this time, we have no process for facilitating track rentals.  If, however, you are wanting to sponsor an exhibition or invitational event, feel free to contact us and we will explore the possibility.

 Absolutely! We hope you will!  If you have a kit and want to build it with others, please feel free to enjoy time working alongside others during one of our events, particularly Track Days and Build Days (if available).  

If you don’t have a kit and are interested in Mini4WD, we hope you will come out and see the fun for yourself during any event.  Come see what a kit looks like while being built during a Track Day.  Or else, come watch the fun of the 2025 BumbleCup and learn about the challenge of going fast and staying on the track.  We know you will find Mini4WD as fun as we do!

We will run Box Stock, B-Max, and Open classes.  With interest, we will also run a special Box Stock class for machines with 5:1 gear ratios.

Please check out our Competitive Class Primer page for an overview of each class.  For more detailed rules, please refer to our Event Rules and Regulations.  Additionally, at any Track Day we will have someone there who can assist with anything related to competition classes, including giving a preliminary inspection of a machine to see if it will be able to run in its chosen class.  And finally, feel free to send us any question you might have via our Contact Page, and we will be happy to help.

Yes, the track will be previewed virtually here on this site and our social media pages on April 25th.  Additionally, the competition track will be available for practice on the Track Days listed on the 2025 BumbleCup schedule.

The competition will be on a 3-lane ABS Tamiya track.

The track will have a bridge style lane changer that comes in the Japan Cup Junior Circuit 3-lane track set.

 This event has been planned and organized by a small, independent group of Mini4WD fans. We are fortunate to have the help and support of the Fern Bell Recreation Center in Huntsville, AL in hosting these events.

No, this event and this website are not affiliated with Tamiya or Tamiya USA in any way.  We are a group of Mini4WD fans who have the good fortune to have access to the necessary track and want to share the love of this great hobby with anyone who might enjoy it as we have.

 All that is required for assembling a kit from the box is a small Philips head screwdriver and either a hobby knife or a set of side cutters.  More advanced machines will benefit from the use of additional tools such as a wrench or a countersinking drill, and racers wanting to modify their chassis do so with razor saws, files, and sandpaper.

Absolutely! We hope you will!  If you have a kit and want to build it with others, please feel free to enjoy time working alongside others at either event.  

If you don’t have a kit and are interested in Mini4WD, we hope you will come out and see the fun for yourself.  Come see what a kit looks like while being built and learn about the challenge of going fast and staying on the track.  We know you will find Mini4WD as fun as we do!

Generally speaking, since Open Track is a non-competitive event, we do not plan to regularly provide a track preview.  However, when Open Track coincides with a competition event, such as a tournament or a time trial season, the track will be known and previewed for that event.  

Time Trial results are specific to a particular track layout.  As such, we try to plan competitive Time Trials for when we know there will be sufficient opportunity for people to attempt trials on a particular layout.  However, if you would like us to benchmark your machine on a particular track to assist in your tuning, we will be happy to help at any Open Track day.

Special events typically fall outside our regular schedule and structure.  As such, we have to host them where/when can that fits with the needs of the event.  Check the specific event on our Full Event Schedule for more details.

No, these special events and this website are not affiliated with Tamiya or Tamiya USA in any way.  Special events are run by North Alabama Mini4WD, sometimes in conjunction with another specific partner.  See the specific special event for details.

 All that is required for assembling a kit from the box is a small Philips head screwdriver and either a hobby knife or a set of side cutters.  More advanced machines will benefit from the use of additional tools such as a wrench or a countersinking drill, and racers wanting to modify their chassis do so with razor saws, files, and sandpaper.

An unassembled kit can take as little as 15 minutes to upwards of an hour to prepare for a Box Stock competition.  Variation in time will come from the type of chassis selected, the experience of the builder, and the level of care and precision the individual applies to the build.

The cars are designed to be 1/32 scale and have a typical footprint of 4”x6”, or the size of a standard postcard.

Kits range from $10-$20 and are suitable for racing in Box Stock competitions straight from the box.  Less restrictive race categories allow for a greater range of machine modification though the use of additional parts.  The final price of these machines will therefore be in depend on race class and parts used.

At this time, we recommend buying your Mini4WD supplies directly from the Tamiya USA Store 

No, not necessarily.  Right out of the box, your machine will be ready for the track.  A stock machine can also compete in any competition category.  However, outside of the specific Box Stock class, upgrade parts usually make cars more competitive at as they give racers more ability to tune their machine to suit a specific track layout.

Any kit fitted with a polycarbonate body and a HyperDash motor will be on the way to max speed.  However, it is a near guarantee that your car will jump the track on the first turn.  The goal isn’t simply to be the fastest; the goal is to be the fastest car that completes the track.  And sometimes that means knowing when, and how to slow your machine down.

All mini4WD machines are powered by two 1.5v AA batteries 

Disposable 1.5v Alkaline batteries and rechargeable 1.2v-1.5v NiMH batteries are allowed. 

NOTE: Due to the risk of fire, Lithium batteries are not allowed for any event.

Specific race classes or competitions might limit batteries to a specific type, so check the race regulations for your specific event.