TAMIYA BLOCKHEAD MOTORS RC PICNIC was be held on Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
“sotosotodays CAMP GROUNDS Yamanakako Misaki” is located in Lake Yamanaka, Yamanashi Prefecture. “TAMIYA BLOCKHEAD MOTORS RC PICNIC”, held at a large campsite on the shores of Lake Yamanaka, is an outdoor event where Tamiya and Blockhead Motors propose the charm and fun of RC outdoors with the theme of “RC x Outdoor x Camp”, where you can enjoy camping and bonfires in the great outdoors.
The event was packed with a wide range of content, including a “Special Athletic RC Circuit” where you could enjoy RC cars with your own or rental cars, RC experience runs, vintage RC car running events, exhibits by popular outdoor brands and shops, RC WALK, RC sports day, and a parade run. We hope you enjoyed the event with your family and friends.
Category Archives: Media
Tamiya Vintage RC Fan Meeting & Blockhead Concours d’Elegance
On Saturday, March 29, 2025, the “Vintage RC Fan Meeting” was held at the RC car mecca, Tamiya Circuit. In addition to free runs, races, and a parade run, the day also saw the “BLOCKHEAD Concours d’Elegance” and merchandise sales, making it a very exciting day for vintage RC fans. Thank you to everyone who participated and attended!
The world of HOBBY expands from Prelude [Tamiya Edition]
The world of HOBBY is a great way to fall in love with cars. Plastic models and miniature cars are loved by many people, regardless of age or gender, from young children to the elderly. We heard that the HOBBY industry was getting excited about the release of “Prelude” this fall, so our editorial team visited the “Shizuoka Hobby Show” held in May.
Shizuoka, the world capital of model making
At the Tamiya booth, which was my destination, I was surprised to see the actual “New Prelude Prototype” car and the development manager, LPL Yamagami.
–Yamagami-san, why are you here?
Yamagami LPL: Actually, Tamiya will be releasing a plastic model of the car at roughly the same time as the actual car. So when I heard that Tamiya was going to unveil the new Prelude plastic model at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, I suggested, “Why not also exhibit the actual car?” and they did, so I came to the venue to see it.
–What was the reaction from the people at the venue?
I’m especially happy that not only the adults at Yamagami LPL but also many children come to the venue. The response is also good.
— Ueno-san:
Nowadays, there are very few coupe-type cars, so I’m very happy to see this kind of car come out, and I hope it sells well. The interior is like a cockpit, so it looks exciting to drive.
— Onishi-san:
I thought the retractable headlights used in the second and third generation Preludes were very cool, and the new model is also cool.
–Shin-san,
the flowing lines on the sides are really beautiful, and the black lines underneath make the whole thing look more toned and sharp. With a plastic model, you can check every little detail, so it’s nice to get an idea of what it’ll look like before you buy it.
–Ichiro:
I felt that this design was something new that Honda had never done before. And yet, the sense of luxury, or rather, the sense of luxury, has been properly inherited from the second and third generation Preludes. This car makes you feel something like Honda’s DNA.
–Hikaru:
Honda is a manufacturer that is very good at simple but high-quality designs. That’s why I want Honda to work harder. I feel like I want them to bring back the passionate ideas of the past, like “Hondaism.”
–Ami:
I’m currently driving a FIT RS, but I think the new Prelude is also cool. I heard it’s equipped with a new hybrid, so I’d love to test drive it.
–Tera:
I wanted to buy the new Prelude, so I came all the way to the Shizuoka Hobby Show to see it. The brake calipers are beautiful and blue, and they immediately caught my eye. The design that uses blue as an accent is something that Honda hasn’t had much of in the past, so it was refreshing.
–The “New Prelude Prototype” that was specially exhibited at the Tamiya booth was well received. But why was the plastic model unveiled before the actual car was released? The editorial department was curious, so we spoke to Yamagami LPL and Ishiguro, who is in charge of product development at Tamiya.
-Why was the plastic model completed before the actual car was released?
Yamagami LPL: Actually (laughs), I went to pitch it myself. I went to a hobby show.
–To sell?
Yamagami LPL: My own childhood experience with Tamiya plastic models gave me a strong feeling for them, so I thought that if I ever became a development manager, I would like to do a simultaneous release. Also, I was frustrated to find out that Honda hasn’t released a new model for four-wheeled vehicles for nearly 10 years since the NSX, so I went to the event.
Tamiya Co., Ltd. Planning and Development Department, Takeshi Ishiguro
Mr. Ishiguro: When we were making a model of the new Prelude, before the actual car was released, we were given valuable drawings and materials under confidentiality. I was surprised because I had never had such an experience before. We were also able to interview the research center in Tochigi and even toured the factory.
This was our first time visiting Mr. Ishiguro’s factory and research lab, so honestly, our Tamiya team was excited.
–But just because you go to Tamiya doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll be able to turn it into a product, right?
Ishiguro: Of course we discussed it in our planning meetings, but since it was a big topic at the last Mobility Show and the sports car-like design is cool, there were no objections and the decision to turn it into a product was made without any problems (laughs).
Yamagami LPL : Actually, I was playing a prank. When I invited Tamiya to the Mobility Show, I made a package with a picture of the new Prelude in a dummy Tamiya box and took it with me. There are a lot of plastic model lovers in Honda’s research lab, so I made it with enthusiasm and presented it to Tamiya.
Mr. Ishiguro was surprised (laughs). It’s true that Honda’s enthusiasm was conveyed thanks to that.
–That’s the story behind the actual car and the plastic model, which were released almost simultaneously. It seems that the collaboration was unveiled at the Shizuoka Hobby Show.
Ishiguro: This model also includes a first for Tamiya. We’ve recreated the rear of the new Prelude opening like a hatchback. This is a first for the 1/24 sports car series.
Yamagami LPL: They even managed to recreate the interior so that you can fit a suitcase or golf bag in there. What’s even more amazing is that they also meticulously recreated the interior, and even included a decal (sticker) for the new technology “Honda S+Shift” that will be installed in the new Prelude. (This decal is only about 1mm in size!)
Ishiguro: I had heard the thoughts and stories of the people who developed the actual car, so I did my best to live up to their enthusiasm (smiles). But the most difficult part was the undercarriage. It was hard because we didn’t have the actual car in the early stages of model development. Also, Tamiya models are molded with parts separated as much as possible so that the painting process is not complicated, but without the actual car, it’s difficult to know the color divisions in detail, so this was also difficult. It was actually my first time to directly communicate with the developers of the actual car each time.
Yamagami LPL: I really apologize for the hard work, but in a way, my dream has come true, so I’m really happy. Today, the venue was full of children, a sight you don’t see at a car exhibition. There’s nothing more pleasing than seeing the children who will live in the future of Japan.
Ishiguro: Actually, I drive a Honda S660 in my private life! Honda cars are like a dream, and I can imagine a fun lifestyle. Personally, I’d like to see them work harder on their sports cars (smiles).
Yamagami LPL: Tamiya’s plastic models are first attractive with their packaging illustrations. Then when you open the box, you get excited seeing all the parts lined up. That excitement and the various stories packed into them will not change even 20 or 30 years after the model is released. If you keep it in the box without assembling it, you can feel the story and experience the emotion for decades to come, like a time capsule. That is a big attraction that is different from our actual cars. I think Tamiya’s boxes are wonderful treasure chests filled with such thoughts.
Ishiguro-san, wow! I feel like crying!
–The two of them seemed to be as happy as children as they talked passionately about their story. The editorial department felt that behind the surprise of the plastic model being released at the same time as the “New Prelude” was the synergy of the developers’ passion that went beyond the boundaries of the company.
If you see information about Tamiya’s release this fall, we hope you remember this story behind the scenes. Whether you assemble the plastic model right away or keep it in the box, that’s up to you. However, don’t forget that the box is filled with the passion of many development staff members, including Honda’s Yamagami LPL and Tamiya’s Ishiguro-san.
Source in Japanese language: Honda
Is the TRF104 really a superior chassis? Trying it out with Tamiya’s fastest motor!
In response to your requests, we installed Tamiya’s fastest motor in the TRF104 and ran it. Please take a look at the video, which also shows off the driving skills of our senior.
Source: Paisen RC
Noriko Hidaka, Mae-chan, and Dr. Taki appear at Tamiya RC Car 50th Anniversary Event
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Tamiya RC car, the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix” recording race was held at the Tamiya Circuit in Shizuoka City on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Popular voice actress Noriko Hidaka, who served as the MC of the popular TV program “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix,” Yasuyuki Maeda, also known as Mae-chan of Tamiya, and Fumito Taki, a Tamiya employee also known as Dr. Taki, gathered together for the first time in 35 years. RC fans who watched the program at that time participated from all over the country and struggled in the race to aim for the driver interview by Noriko Hidaka, which was also a specialty of the program. The venue was filled with smiles from start to finish, and it was a dream-like day that brought back fun memories of those days.
In addition, the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Special” will be held at the Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit the following day, Sunday, April 13. The guests were Hiromi Kae, a TV personality who loves Mini 4WD and RC cars, and Satoshi Maezumi, a Tamiya employee who has won the Electric Off-Road All Japan Championship and is currently involved in the management of RC car events. Don’t miss this heated battle that unfolded on one of the world’s largest RC circuits.
Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Special in Tamiya Circuit held on Saturday, April 12th in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Surrounding the MC, Hidaka Noriko, are Dr. Taki, also known as Fumito Taki (left), and Mae-chan, also known as Yasuyuki Maeda (right).
- An RC car race was held at Tamiya Circuit as part of an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tamiya RC cars.
- All participating athletes took a commemorative photo with performers including Hidaka Noriko.
Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Special in Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit held on Sunday, April 13th in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture
- An event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tamiya RC cars will also be held at Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit, one of the world’s largest all-weather courses.
- Hiromi Kae (left), a familiar face at the RC car event where she served as MC, and Tamiya employee Satoshi Maezumi (right), also known as “Senpai.”
- Races were held in a total of five categories, including a “Junior Class” for elementary and junior high school students and a “Women’s Class” in which only female drivers competed.
Paisen building the new Tamiya F1 chassis TRF104
Source: Paisen RC
Paisen RC introducing the Egress, Tamiya’s strongest vintage shaft-driven 4WD buggy
This video shows the “EGRESS”, which was developed in 1989 as the successor to the “AVANTE”, driving while talking about memories from that time. We also introduce some episodes from when it was developed 36 years ago, so please take a look☆★
Source: Paisen RC
Tamiya 63795 Official Guidebook Mini 4WD Super Speed Guide 2025-2026
A classic super-speed mook book that condenses the fun of Mini 4WD
The “Mini 4WD Super Speed Guide”, which has become the bible for people who enjoy Mini 4WD, is on sale again this year! It introduces detailed explanations and strategies for the “Wakening Venom CIRCUIT 2025” of the official circuit of the Japan Cup 2025. It also introduces know-how for “making” a machine that will win the race, from a complete catalog for “selecting” a machine. The explanation of “brake” settings, which are difficult for beginners, is a must-see! In addition, it is full of information for enjoying Mini 4WD, from a guide to participating in races to “play” with Mini 4WD to the core of settings as talked about by champions.
Contents
・Powered by FDK Mini 4WD Japan Cup 2025 Drive on Yokohama Tire Wakening Venom CIRCUIT 2025!
・Adopts the popular EZ chassis! A thorough explanation of Van Brun
・Tamiya RC car’s best cars are also available in Mini 4WD! Avante Jr. & Grasshopper Jr.
・Upgrade parts Super Speed Data File 2025
・Even beginners can become masters of braking ~ Slow down! Brake Spirit
・Racers who want to be featured in the Super Speed Guide gather! “Super Speed Welcome!”
・Guide to participating in the Mini 4WD Japan Cup
・Let’s try the Mini 4WD Station Challenge!
・20 Mini 4WD Stations all over Japan
・Mini 4WD Japan Cup 2024 & Mini 4WD Grand Prix 2025 Champion Machine Gallery
・Overseas competitors also did well! MINI4WD WORLD CHALLENGE 2024
・Champions who won the Mini 4WD Grand Prix talk! This is how Japan Cup 2025 will be fought
○ Format and number of pages: A4 wide, 102 pages
○ Appendix: Special sticker compatible with all machines
○ Publisher: One Publishing
○ Author: Get Navi Editorial Department
Paisen RC participating in a radio-controlled car race using the Tamiya Hornet 40th anniversary model Hornet EVO.
This is a video of participating in a radio-controlled car race using the Tamiya Hornet 40th anniversary model “Hornet EVO”. Please take a look at the Hornet EVO’s magnificent jump.
Source: Paisen RC
Dr. Fumito Taki who who was in charge of development of the first Tamiya RC model M4 Sherman in 1974 drives and explains the Tamiya RC 50th anniversary version
This video shows how Dr. Taki, who was in charge of development of the “M4 Sherman” developed in 1974 to commemorate the birth of Tamiya’s first RC, talked about his passion for the real thing.
Source: Paisen RC