This is the first Mini-Z lap counter device I bought long ago around 2011 or so. I still have the original packaging and CD that contain the driver and software.
Unbelievably it’s working with Windows 11 on a laptop with the latest generation Intel CPU. Thanks, Kyosho having chosen an FTDI chip for it serial to USB conversion and Microsoft to keep making working legacy devices such as this one.
This IC Tag Lap Counter (ref. 32011) I have is the first model, released in 2008; it has an antenna (ribbon cable) of 1 meter long and a mini-USB connector.
There was a 2nd model release in 2018, that has a 2-meter antenna. Then late last year (2025), Kyosho released version III with 1.5-meter antenna.
The Kyosho IC Tag Lap Counter System is based on RFID (Radio‑Frequency Identification) technology. The core of the system is an IC tag attached under a Mini-z and original part of the dNano cars. As the car passes over the detector (antenna), the system reads the unique ID stored in the tag.
It is said that the system can detect up-to 9 cars simultaneously. The distance between the tag and the antenna should be no more than 2cm. The maximum read speed is about 17km/h.
Version II (ref.32013 ) has a 2-meter-long antenna to accommodate large track. It is said it has an increase in reading speed up to 28 km/s.
Version III (ref.87201) comes with a shorter antenna, 1.5 meter. I’ve understood that this version is less sensitive to static electricity, especially when used under a carpet track. I’m not sure if it has other improvements.
The tag must be installed under the chassis. With the tag comes two screws and a piece of double-sided tape, an easy task to put in place and no electric power is required to make work.
Kyosho has also already released an IC Tag reader (ref.32024B), a RFID reader unit that is meant to be place close the computer that has the Race Management Software installed. This way you can read a tag while training or race is running.
Using the Kyosho IC Tag with others car brands?
It is likely not working. The IC Tag receiver is very sensitive to its surrounding, if you place a metal part behind the IC Tag, it will not be detected. Since most chassis like the ones from GL-Racing, Atomic, Reflex Racing and others, has metal chassis and many metal parts, it make it incompatible with the IC Tag system from Kyosho.
Connection to a computer
Since the IC Tag Lab Counter has an usb1.x port, it can be connected to any PC computer, including the most recent ones. When the IC Tag Lap Counter is placed far from the computer, we can use a USB cable extension, but it has some limitation in length, like 2 to 3 meters. For longer distance, there are available USB through LAN adapters. I’ve tested successfully two models.
The first model from Logilink (ref.UA0021D). It consists of two adapters, one receiver and one transmitter. It works with USB2.0 connection, it doesn’t require power and you can use a RJ45 cable up-to 45 meters long! The IC Tag Lap Counter is connected to the receiver and the transmitter to the PC. The adapter is transparent for Windows, the system only sees the IC Tag Lap counter, like if it was attached to the PC.
The second model, more advanced, is from Ezcoo. Also support up-to USB2 connection, 45m lan cable, but this model has an USB Hub, so you can connect up-to 4 USB device to it. Because of the USB, the receiver needs to have an external power supply, included with the adapters. This model also works very well.
The Kyosho Software
The software that Kyosho provide is very basic. He has 3 running mode. “Free Run Mode” when there no time or lap limit, and a “Fixed Lap Races” and “Time‑based Races” modes.
You can run up-to 9 cars. It’s very limited but it might suffice.
A Japanese alternative
“Zon”, a user from the Japanese blog Ameba, and Mini-Z racer, has develop a Race Management Software dedicated for the Kyosho IC Tag Lap Counter hardware. His software his even use by the Kyosho company it-self to run the Mini-Z Cup in Japan.
The software is simply named “IC Tag Lap Counter”. It’s (unfortunately) in Japanese only.
It has several running and race modes. It is very much customizable.
It can display racer’s statistics.
This is a very features rich software and it’s free. Great work from the author!
One of the features I like the most is to have the possibility to have a second display just with the race elements, no menu, no buttons… The second can be customized too. On a big screen, the display is fantastic! It manage also sounds and voice announcements.
While on your computer, you can do other things while the free run or race is running.
Static Electricity Issues
Because the IC Tag is under the chassis, the gap between the Tag and the track is very small. Too small that the Tag can touch the track. When running, the friction between the Tag and the track generate static electricity. When too much static electricity accumulated into the chassis it can defeat the IC Tag Lap Counter system, mis-counting a lap.
As a counter measure, Kyosho is offering an anti-static adhesive (MZW125) to be placed under the chassis.
Since the Japanese software can accomodate two IC Tag Lap Timing hadware, you add one as backup. altought I don’t know it really work.
Conclusion
The Kyosho IC Tag Lap counter system works very well. Despite it is limited to Kyosho Mini-z’s car only, I like it.
Like for the dNano, it would have been good to have the Tag integrated into the Mini-Z chassis.
The second limitation is the Race Management Software. The one from Kyosho is very limited with functions and features. And the one from Zon (fantastic work!) is in Japanese only. From a westerner point of view, the only (major) downside is the language but it you have some interest with the Japanese language, you will adapt.
Overall, I like to use the Kyosho IC Tag Lap Counter system. And with software and announcement in Japanese, you feel to be there…
