Circuit Hobby’s Closing Lap: A Farewell to the Tamiya Racing Paradise
And just as the last gears are about to shift, our beloved little Tamiya haven, Circuit Hobby, is set to say goodbye on March 13.
Some of its final souvenirs
- Team nicknames—from “Speed Demons” to the more exotic “Tokyo Drift Titans”—smeared across walls like a graffiti rally.
- Chalky reminders cheering us on: ” Stay Positive!”
- A weathered whiteboard jam‑packed with monthly record times, now just dusty memories of that one lap that made everyone gasp.
It’s clear—the shop was more than just a place to buy parts; it was the heart of a tight‑knit racer community that will be sorely missed.
Owner, Zairudeen “Deen” Sojah’s take on the finale
“I’m basically broke,” Deen admits, chuckling as we sit beside the three‑lane track that dominates the floor. “If I could, I’d have closed sooner. But the lease made me wait.”
He’s only 39, but he’s already carried a few heavy loads lately, especially when the pandemic turned sales into a lean run. “It’s been a labor of love,” he says proudly, proud of the good streak we’ve enjoyed despite the timing of the pandemic’s impact.
What comes next?
Though the doors will close, the stories, the camaraderie, and the tracks will stay with each of us. Kids, pros, and hobbyists alike – here’s to the memories we built and the tires that screeched at every turn. May the next lap be just as unforgettable, but I’ll miss this spot for a long time.
Inspired to grow local Tamiya racing community
Reviving a Forgotten Toy
For Deen, a typical millennial, the 1990s were the golden age of Tamiya racing toys in Singapore. Yet it wasn’t until a trip to South Korea in December 2019 that his love for the little four‑wheel‑drive (4WD) cars sparked again.
The Night at a Seoul Club
Picture this: Deen is chilling with a DJ buddy inside a Seoul nightclub. Suddenly, the friend pulls out his phone, and ONCE IT SPARKLES, it’s a slideshow of miniature cars.
- Speedy models grinding on rough dirt tracks
- All‑new colors that weren’t even on the market a decade ago
- Tech upgrades that make the small cars feel like tiny, serious race machines
When Deen tried one of them, the excitement hit hard.
In Reel terms:
“This isn’t the same old thing I remember. It’s a whole new level—way more advanced,” Deen laughed, getting a taste of what the next generation of model cars has to offer.
<img alt="" data-caption="PHOTO: AsiaOne/Kimberly Anne Lim” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”f40c844e-cf0a-4231-b49c-d8a4331a3ce7″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/tamiya.jpg”/>
A Fast‑Lane Tale: Building a Tamiya Tribe in Singapore
Why Tamiya Shines (Even When You’re Not a Kid)
The Singapore Chill So Long
“I dropped into a Tamiya shop right after landing back in Singapore—no time wasted, just pure steering ambition.”— Deen, former IT team leadBut the local racing scene?
“I gotta shake things up and bring fresh eyes to the track!”— Deen, now boxed in a new hobby
From Corporate to Tamiya: A Fresh Start
Bottom Line
Deen’s golden rule: “Rev up the track, pull in fresh talent, and make Singapore a top‑tier rookie‑friendly racing hub.”
So if you’re watching those min‑cars zoom past, make sure you’ve got a seat at this upcoming, wildly enthusiastic tangential Tamiya revolution.
Covid-19 threw a wrench in plans
A Dream, a Dip, and a Pandemic
The Vision that Took Shape
The Twist of Fate
It’s a story of ambition, resilience, and the silver lining that even a closed shop can keep its spirit alive.<img alt="" data-caption="PHOTO: AsiaOne/Kimberly Anne Lim” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”9c803677-f63f-4b90-a811-1f0a7a532536″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/circuit_hobby_front.jpg”/>
racing into the pandemic: a steely trek by Circuit Hobby
When Deen pushed the button on Circuit Hobby, the world was already banking on a quiet lull. The pandemic had set in, and he had that big dream: a lively market of Tamiya racers strong enough to survive the storm. Spoiler alert – the storm was much longer than he’d guessed.
From tandem dreams to “Track Time”
Originally, Deen had plotted a lineup of high‑octane, daily tandem races. Every week, 30‑50 enthusiastic Tamiya drivers would face off on the same track, the bright‑colored carts firing off and shuffling around the corners.
But reality has a wicked sense of humor. The pandemic dried up the regular crowd and the tandem plans slipped like a paperclip in a stream. Instead of bidding on “Race Fever,” Deen pioneered a new concept named Track Time.
Each month, the circuit gets a fresh twist – a new layout, new challenges. Drivers run their cars, accumulate lap times, and if they post one of the fastest times, they earn a glorious spot on the leaderboard.
“You can’t have a race with just five people.”
Deen chuckles when he remembers the early days – crowds of friends, squeaking carts, the smell of fresh plastic. He’s quieted the flock here: “Part of the fun is playing with other people,” he says. None of them were willing to submit to singling out only a handful of participants. The new format fosters competition and keeps the community alive.
The dream Comes Alive
Months into the business, Deen looks back, proud that the in‑store atmosphere has fostered growth. “We’ve seen a number of new hobbyists progress from boxed‑up cars to building their own competitive race cars,” he shares.
His mission was simple: get people to unbox the first center of fun and then build over it. That evolution satisfies Deen more than any trophy or profit numbers.
Missing the Buzz
As the store thrives, Deen admits he’ll miss the best part: the mix‑and‑match of pit‑crew conversations. “Being able to catch up, swap tips, trade new tricks – it’s the heart of the hobby.”
And he knows intellectually, but there’s an undeniable ache when the noisy, interaction‑heavy comradery starts to shift to a quieter, virtual accompaniment. Deen’s take— we’re living in a new age and that means a new way to love tami‑ya racing.
It’s not the end
When a Hobby Turns Into a Real‑World Career Shift
Deen has a heart that belongs to the racing community and his beloved Tamiya line. Still, the time has come for him to hop back into the corporate scene—at least until the pandemic’s final chapter closes.
Why the slowdown?
Despite a stream of heartfelt offers from loyal customers who’re willing to bankroll the shop, Deen insists that “we can’t open a door on time. Let’s be real, the world is still bent over hospital trays, not cafeteria banquets.” He’s already scouring full‑time job listings, hoping something will click before the next power outage.
Dreams on the Horizon
- Future of Circuit Hobby: A larger venue that houses a cozy bistro and a dedicated space for mini 4WD racing.
- “If the COVID virus disappears tomorrow, then I’ll move the shop straight away,” he jokes, with a grin that suggests he’s ready for a big‑family revival.
Keeping the Wheels Turned
In the meantime, Deen’s plan is to rattle off a small rack in another local store. He’ll still showcase his top‑quality gear—maybe call it a “mini treasure trove.” Once it’s safe again, he might even bring back the tandem races that got the community bouncing on their toes in the first place.
Final Word From Deen
“We’re getting rid of a friendly shop, and that feels like a good‑night dance,” Deen says, “but I feel like I finally closed a chapter and opened the next one.” And he looks hopeful that the dreams he holds for Circuit Hobby will someday come to life.
Photos and videos with Deen and his community can be found (cache only the form, not full link for privacy).
