Need for speed fuels mini-car race craze

For many Chinese born in the 1980s and 1990s, mini four-wheel-drive cars were more than just toys — they were gateways to speed, imagination and friendship.

On April 12, that childhood passion roared back to life at a mini 4WD race at Beijing Wenyuhe Park, drawing about 300 participants. The morning saw 60 teams compete in a group assembly and speed challenge, while the afternoon's one-on-one ultimate battle featured 160 individual racers.