Mark Santa Maria

Mark Santa Maria RC Guru + Content Creator
RC Box Club Co-Owner
AreaRC Founder
Factory Driver
Tekno RC, Proline RC, NitroPro, Gens Ace

Driven by Passion. Fueled by Fun.

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11/24/2025

Area RC is crashing Shaw's R/C Shop tomorrow to run mini-z! Looks like all our cars are legal there! Below are their rules…

~~~~~~~~~~~

Mini-z Tuesday November 25th at Shaw's R/C Shop racing starts at 6pm.

Come join us for a special night of Mini-z club racing. We will be running the layout CLOCKWISE for the rest of the year. The fast lap board has some extremely fast times and will be hard to beat.

After completing the Shaw's Mini-Z Series we have decided to adjust our class rules with feedback from our fellow racers.

Stock class:

MR03 or MR04 (no evo cars)

Body- any hard body (no lexan roof or lexan windows)

Wheels- 8mm fronts 11mm rears (no 14mm)

Pinion- 6,7,8 or 9

Diff- stock

Springs- stock black springs

Motor- stock white endbell

Radio- KT-531

T-plate- open

50/50 Stock class:

All cars will race in training mode

MR03 or MR04 (no evo cars)

Body- any hard body (no lexan roof or lexan windows)

Wheels- 8mm fronts 11mm rears (no 14mm)

Pinion- 6

Diff- stock

Springs- stock black springs

Motor- stock white endbell

Radio- KT-531 in training mode

T-plate- open

P.S. a little birdie told me that MSM is planning on invading Shaw's Mini-Z and that there's a Dr. Pepper bounty on him.

Mark Sta Maria

— at Shaw's R/C Shop.

Countdown has begun!11 more days....
11/24/2025

Countdown has begun!
11 more days....

11/24/2025
I have been looking forward to this one... We are going to double the grand prix time to 40 mins.... We will find out if...
11/22/2025

I have been looking forward to this one... We are going to double the grand prix time to 40 mins.... We will find out if we need a battery change... haha!

11/21/2025

With the MSM Southern Showdown FINAL around the corner, I am open to suggestions on where you all want me to lay the smoke. I went 2 races in a row teaching lessons in Ebuggy. I laid the law down in Bandit and Jato early in the season. Barry is claiming a dub in Grom, I might let him have that one since he is my friend. Im thinking Spec Slash, 4wd SCT, or Etruggy. All of which are almost guaranteed dubyas if I run them.... hmm... decisions decisions... 😜

🔥 SAVE THE DATE — 2026 RACE MSM SOUTHERN SHOWDOWN RACE SERIES IS SET 🔥🏁 The biggest race season is coming — and YOU’RE i...
11/21/2025

🔥 SAVE THE DATE — 2026 RACE MSM SOUTHERN SHOWDOWN RACE SERIES IS SET 🔥

🏁 The biggest race season is coming — and YOU’RE invited!
Get ready for 5 epic rounds featuring:
✨ New racing classes
✨ New track added
✨ More prizes, more competition, more action!

🔧 Full rules + registration details will be released soon.

🚙 We are still seeking sponsors for the 2026 race season!! If you are interested in sponsoring please reach out to Melissa @ [email protected]

Don't forget the MSM Southern Showdown FINAL + PARTY! Friday, December 5-7 @ Thornhill Racing Circuit is just 2 weeks away!!

11/18/2025

Alright everyone, big update! I’ve decided to move our “Crash Shaw’s Mini Z Club Racing” to next week… and honestly, I am pumped about it.

Both my boys are off for Thanksgiving break, which means I get to bring them with me. It also means I have another opportunity to show them who the fastest Santa Maria is... 😕... hahaha! And here’s the best part… pushing it back gives ALL of us more time to squad up.

NEXT WEEK 11/25 Shaw's R/C Shop BRING YOUR MINI-Zs!
Let’s absolutely pack the place and make it a night to remember! 🔥🙌🏎️💥

11/13/2025

‼ATTENTION ALL MINI-Z RACERS AND TRACKS‼

Since Area RC has opened this topic has be lingering in my mind.

First and foremost, thank you all for being patient as we work to unify and simplify Mini-Z racing rules. Every track does things a little differently, so our goal is to create clear, simple, and fair rules that anyone can understand.

~~~~~~~~~
Here are our 3 guiding principles behind every decision we make:

1. Grow the Hobby
More racers, more shops, more products, more fun.

2. Support the Racers
RC is about dads, sons, daughters, wives, families, and friends making memories together. These are the real VIPs.

3. Support Hobby Shops and Tracks
Track owners put their heart into this community. Our rules help them survive and thrive.
~~~~~~~~~

To keep things accessible for everyone, we focus on clarity and simplicity.

1. Driver’s Class (50% Class)

Perfect for beginners and veterans who want close, door-to-door racing. New racers are paired with experienced ones to improve race craft. With 50% throttle, every car is equal.

RULES
• Kyosho Mini-Z only
• AAA 1.2V max per cell
• 50% throttle
• Stock remote
• Stock gearing (6T)
• Stock Kyosho white-endbell motor
• Kyosho tires and T-plates allowed
• Kyosho 0 degree aluminum steering knuckles allowed
• Aluminum wheel nuts allowed
• Servo gear upgrades allowed
• Any body and wheel combo allowed

Why this class works:
• Hobby Growth: Super easy, fun, and affordable
• Racers: Minimal upgrades needed
• Hobby Shops: All parts are stock, one brand to support

2. Kyosho Box Stock Class

A simple upgrade path using only Kyosho parts. Great for learning tuning and setup without chasing every brand.

RULES
• Kyosho Mini-Z only
• AAA 1.2V max per cell
• Aftermarket remotes allowed (for left-handed racers)
• Any gearing included in the box (max 9T)
• Stock Kyosho white-endbell motor
• All Kyosho upgrades allowed (except motor)
• Aluminum wheel nuts allowed
• Servo gear upgrades allowed
• Any body and wheels allowed (no Lexan)

Why this class works:
• Hobby Growth: Easy first upgrade class
• Racers: Learn setup basics
• Hobby Shops: Simple to stock and explain

3. Stock Class (Unified Standard Stock)

Built so racers running “stock” at one track can race at any track without being disqualified. The most universal ruleset we could create.

RULES
• Kyosho Mini-Z only
• AAA 1.25V max per cell
• Aftermarket remotes allowed
• Any gearing from the box (max 9T)
• Stock Kyosho white-endbell motor
• Any brand tires and T-plates allowed
• Any brand durability upgrades allowed (no performance hop-ups)
• Camber knuckles: 0 degrees
• Toe plate: 0 degrees
• Any body and wheels allowed (no Lexan)

Why this class works:
• Hobby Growth: Supports aftermarket brands
• Racers: One car works at multiple tracks
• Hobby Shops: Builds collaboration between shops and tracks

4. Open Mini-Z

For racers who want maximum performance from their Mini-Z. Brushless, advanced hop-ups, and high-end tuning are all welcome.

RULES
• Must be a Kyosho Mini-Z platform (PN R2.5W allowed)
• Must run AAA batteries

Why this class works:
• Hobby Growth: A home for the fast drivers
• Racers: Unlimited tuning within the Mini-Z platform
• Hobby Shops: More Evo and brushless sales

5. Open Mod (1/28 Pan Car)

The fastest, most advanced mini platforms. Nexx, GL, Reflex, Team Associated RC28R, and more. If it’s 1/28 and a pan car, it belongs here.

RULES
• 1/28 scale pan cars only

Why this class works:
• Hobby Growth: A home for pure racers
• Racers: The highest performance class
• Hobby Shops: Keeps long-time racers upgrading and involved

Moonlight Crawlers was awesome! Thanks to everyone who came out!
11/08/2025

Moonlight Crawlers was awesome! Thanks to everyone who came out!

Moonlight Crawlers - Crawl + Hike -- Friday, November 7pm @ Erwin Park, McKinney, TX TODAY!!!!
11/07/2025

Moonlight Crawlers - Crawl + Hike -- Friday, November 7pm @ Erwin Park, McKinney, TX TODAY!!!!

JUST A QUICK REMINDER ABOUT TONIGHTS EVENT!

We will be open from 4-6pm this afternoon. At 6pm we will make our way to the moonlight crawlers meetup. (about 10 mins away) If you can make it out, come by and check out Area RC before you go to Moonlight Crawlers!

Event details:https://www.facebook.com/share/1DLGQB1vMi/

Address

6710 Virginia Pkwy Ste. 215 PMB 69
McKinney, TX
75071

Website

http://www.msmvlog.com/

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