Geek Toys: MicroCar Smackdown

Let's face it: You're probably fiddling with computers because today's cars are just too expensive and too complex to mess with. No more! The latest Asian imports will bring out your latent grease monkey.

It's not a beetle or virus. Nope, this latest Asian infestation is a tiny toy that's poised to become the latest productivity sapper from the western shores of the Pacific. Pocket-sized radio controlled cars, available for $20 or less with controller - and infinitely customizable - are now taking the New World by storm. These tiny cars, which measure about 2 ½" long, have been a favorite of salarymen and schoolboys in Japan and throughout Asia. Imports have been available in the US for a while; some using illegal radio frequencies. In fact, Hobbico has been selling a US-friendly version of Tomy's Bit Char-G, the R/C MicroSizers, since the end of August.

Just a few weeks ago, Radio Shack upped the ante by releasing its version in the US, called ZipZaps. With distribution in over 7,200 stores around the US and on the Web, these pint-sized speed demons are ready to hit every briefcase and knapsack in the US.

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