New to Mini-Z Racing? Here’s Where to Start

January 5, 2026

So you just discovered Mini-Z racing and thought:

“This looks awesome… how do I get started?”

First off, welcome. You just found one of the most fun, competitive, and welcoming RC hobbies out there. Mini-Z racing combines realistic race cars, close wheel-to-wheel racing, and indoor tracks that make it 10x more fun.

If you’re brand new, don’t worry. Everyone starts in the same place.

Step 1: Start With Box Stock

If you want to race (and actually enjoy it), box stock is the best place to begin.

What is box stock?
Box stock is a race class where the car stays mostly the way it came out of the box. The goal is to keep cars equal, costs low, and the focus on driving skill instead of upgrades.

Why box stock?

Everyone runs similar equipment
It’s affordable and beginner-friendly
It teaches proper driving and consistency
Most tracks support it

Tires may be changed to match the track, but performance upgrades are usually limited.

This is where almost every fast Mini-Z racer started.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Mini-Z Readyset

When shopping for a Mini-Z Readyset, you’ll see terms like 90mm, 94mm, 98mm, 102mm, N, W, RWD, AWD, RM, MM, LM. It looks confusing at first, but here’s the simple breakdown.

Wheelbase (94mm / 98mm / 102mm)

Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels.

94mm – Short, twitchy, less stable (not ideal for beginners)
98mm ⭐ Most popular – Best balance of speed and stability
102mm – Longer and very stable, also beginner-friendly

👉 If unsure, choose 98mm.

Width (N vs W)

N (Narrow) – Less grip, less common for racing
W (Wide) – More grip and stability, most race bodies

👉 Wide (W) is recommended for beginners.

Drivetrain (RWD vs AWD)

RWD ⭐ Best for racing. Most common race class, easier to learn, huge support
AWD – Fun for drifting, less common in racing

👉 If you want to race, choose RWD.

Motor Mount (RM / MM / LM)

This refers to where the motor sits.

RM – Stable with good rear grip
MM ⭐ Most common – Balanced and works on most tracks
LM – Used on longer bodies, less common

👉 MM is a great starter option.

What Should a Beginner Buy?

Look for:

Kyosho Mini-Z RWD Readyset
98mm
Wide (W) body
MM motor mount

This setup works at almost every track, fits box-stock racing, and is easy to drive with plenty of upgrade options later.

Step 3: What Else Do I Need?

You don’t need much to start racing.

Basic essentials:

AAA batteries (quality matters)
Battery charger
Track-specific tires (ask your local track)
Basic tools (wheel nut wrench, hex driver)

That’s it. No crazy upgrades needed. Yet...

Step 4: Go to a Track

Mini-Z really comes alive at the track.

You’ll meet racers who want to help
You’ll learn proper racing lines
You’ll improve faster than driving alone
You’ll quickly understand setups and classes

If you’re in SoCal, there are multiple indoor Mini-Z tracks with great communities. Check out our Store/Track Locator "Here"
Pro tip: show up and tell people you’re new, Mini-Z racers are some of the most welcoming in RC.

Step 5: Race, Learn, Then Upgrade

After a few race nights, you’ll naturally learn:

What your car needs
What your driving style is
What upgrades actually matter

Common later upgrades:

Tires
Bearings
Motor (if your class allows it)
Suspension tuning parts

But none of that matters until you drive.

What’s Next?

At SoCal Mini-Z, our goal is to help grow the hobby and make it easy to get started.

On our site you’ll find:

Beginner-friendly blog posts
New Mini-Z product news
Track and racing info
Products designed specifically for Mini-Z racers

Be sure to stay connected to our blog as we continue to share tips, guides, and updates to help you learn more and get the most out of Mini-Z racing.

If you’re just getting started, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to Mini-Z racing. See you at the track.