Photo Essay: UAE model car racers put their Tamiya Mini 4WD vehicles through their paces

  • Seasoned racers Khaled Al Suwaidi and Ridwan Hidayat at the Tamiya Mini 4WD Grand Prix stage six, at Flat 12 Cafe in Dubai. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Seasoned racers Khaled Al Suwaidi and Ridwan Hidayat at the Tamiya Mini 4WD Grand Prix stage six, at Flat 12 Cafe in Dubai. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Khaled Al Suwaidi and wife May in their hobby room in Abu Dhabi. He is one of the favourites to win on Sunday. 'Last year I won around 30 podiums in different categories,' he says
    Khaled Al Suwaidi and wife May in their hobby room in Abu Dhabi. He is one of the favourites to win on Sunday. 'Last year I won around 30 podiums in different categories,' he says
  • Mr Al Suwaidi tunes the brakes of one of his cars
    Mr Al Suwaidi tunes the brakes of one of his cars
  • One of his recent modified builds, which he named The Joker
    One of his recent modified builds, which he named The Joker
  • Part of the couple's Tamiya Mini 4WD kit collection
    Part of the couple's Tamiya Mini 4WD kit collection
  • Modified racing cars use specialised plates with lightweight parts to make them more stable at faster speeds
    Modified racing cars use specialised plates with lightweight parts to make them more stable at faster speeds
  • Contestant Kiko Contreras with his podium medals at Otaku ME in Dubai
    Contestant Kiko Contreras with his podium medals at Otaku ME in Dubai
  • In the quarter-finals, cars have to finish three laps without going off track. In the semi-final round they must complete six laps and during the finals, nine
    In the quarter-finals, cars have to finish three laps without going off track. In the semi-final round they must complete six laps and during the finals, nine
  • Indonesian finalist Ridwan Hidayat: 'I first bought my kit 16 years ago. I was in junior high school and had to save my allowance to buy my kits. My most challenging competition was the West Java Challenge, Indonesia, in 2018. I won the pot money equivalent to Dh15,000'
    Indonesian finalist Ridwan Hidayat: 'I first bought my kit 16 years ago. I was in junior high school and had to save my allowance to buy my kits. My most challenging competition was the West Java Challenge, Indonesia, in 2018. I won the pot money equivalent to Dh15,000'
  • Racers and fans cheer for their favourite car in the fifth-round race at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
    Racers and fans cheer for their favourite car in the fifth-round race at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
  • Racer Denmark Realubit says: 'The K4 Gambol with an F-MA chassis is my favourite car to work on because it has so many racing disadvantages. I love overcoming adversities. I never choose easy'
    Racer Denmark Realubit says: 'The K4 Gambol with an F-MA chassis is my favourite car to work on because it has so many racing disadvantages. I love overcoming adversities. I never choose easy'
  • Rollers with speed bearings keep the cars on track. Weights or dampers are also added to the front and rear bumpers to help with stability, especially over ramps
    Rollers with speed bearings keep the cars on track. Weights or dampers are also added to the front and rear bumpers to help with stability, especially over ramps
  • Young racers during a friendly competition at Otaku ME in Dubai
    Young racers during a friendly competition at Otaku ME in Dubai
  • Tamiya Mini 4WD cars can reach speeds of up to seven metres per second
    Tamiya Mini 4WD cars can reach speeds of up to seven metres per second
  • Increasing numbers of women are competing
    Increasing numbers of women are competing
  • May Al Suwaidi tunes her car
    May Al Suwaidi tunes her car
  • A race fan from Saudi Arabia with car kits at a competition at Otaku ME in Dubai
    A race fan from Saudi Arabia with car kits at a competition at Otaku ME in Dubai
  • The audience at the Otaku Mini 4WD Grand Prix stage six at Flat 12 Cafe in Dubai. This was the final qualifier for the Championship Race on September 1 at Times Square Centre, Dubai. The winner of that race will represent the UAE at the World Challenge in Shizouka, Japan.
    The audience at the Otaku Mini 4WD Grand Prix stage six at Flat 12 Cafe in Dubai. This was the final qualifier for the Championship Race on September 1 at Times Square Centre, Dubai. The winner of that race will represent the UAE at the World Challenge in Shizouka, Japan.
  • A racer tunes his car before the Tamiya Mini 4WD friendly competition at Otaku ME
    A racer tunes his car before the Tamiya Mini 4WD friendly competition at Otaku ME
  • Members of the small but growing Tamiya Mini 4WD community in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
    Members of the small but growing Tamiya Mini 4WD community in Dubai and Abu Dhabi