For Ferdie Kahn, owner of The Brickyard and the official distributor of Tamiya in the Philippines, a childhood fascination with model cars has transformed into a thriving business that brings together a passionate community of racing enthusiasts.
In our interview with the selected media including LionhearTV on October 26 at The Brickyard, located in Ayala Malls The Bay, Kahn shared how his early love for model cars, instilled by his father, blossomed into a mission to make Tamiya racing more accessible to Filipinos of all ages.
“My dad used to buy model cars for me. They weren’t exactly like the Tamiya models popular today, but the excitement they sparked in me never faded,” Kahn recalled. As he built The Brickyard, Kahn quickly discovered the strong, dedicated following for Tamiya racing in the Philippines, a hobby that initially boomed in the 1990s and experienced a revival in recent years.
Kahn’s vision for The Brickyard was to create more than a shop; he wanted a space where Tamiya fans could gather, compete, and introduce others to the world of model racing. “As a fan of Tamiya kits myself, I wanted a place where builders and racers could hang out and play. More than that, I wanted to introduce the hobby to more people, kids and adults alike,” he said.
@lionheartv Collector Ferdie Kahn shared his lifelong passion for car collectibles and the journey of building his business. In 2018, he opened his flagship store at Glorietta 2 alongside Shunsaku Tamiya, son of Tamiya Corporation founder Yoshio Tamiya. #FerdieKahn #Tamiya #TheBrickyard #EntertainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentPH #BestOfTiktokPH #NewsPH #LionhearTV #RAWRNation
During the event, an impressive lineup of Tamiya models was on display, including popular choices like the Tamiya Jr. Neo-Vqs, Tamiya Mini 4WD, Tamiya Geo Glider, and Tamiya Festa Jaune. For beginners, assembling these models is a way to immerse themselves in the hobby, while seasoned racers enjoy refining their cars for high-performance competitions.
Kahn proudly highlighted the achievements of Filipino Tamiya racers, who consistently perform well in international competitions. “Locally, the passion is incredible,” Kahn shared. “When we hold races, 500 to 700 racers come to compete. If you watch them, you can see their intense focus and dedication to every detail of their cars.”
The Philippines previously hosted a Tamiya tournament in 2009, with Filipino racers taking home top honors. After a pandemic-related hiatus, the country’s representatives reached the semifinals in 2022 and 2023, and the Philippines is set to host another major Tamiya event in 2026. This November 14, Kahn will lead two Filipino racers to Japan’s prestigious World Challenge, an annual highlight in the Tamiya calendar. The selected racers recently won in a regional competition held in Circuit, Makati, which drew 100 participants, including racers from abroad.
Kahn is keen on making Tamiya racing accessible to newcomers, offering affordable starter kits priced at under P1,000. “A basic Tamiya starter kit goes for around P650 to P1,100, while RC cars ready for competition cost around P15,000,” he explained. For beginners, he suggested starting with smaller models and gradually advancing to the more sophisticated kits.
Kahn also noted emerging trends within the Tamiya community, such as the “X stock” model, a mid-range option that allows for incremental upgrades without the need for complete customization. This option appeals to both novices and experienced racers, who can upgrade parts while keeping the core model simple.
Kahn organizes annual races and themed events like the Halloween “box tub” race for children and adults, where participants assemble models straight from the box, adding a fun, casual dimension to the racing experience. These gatherings have solidified The Brickyard’s reputation as more than just a store, but a community hub.
“For me, it’s about more than just selling cars. It’s about creating a space where people come together and share in the excitement of Tamiya racing,” Kahn said. “I’m not just helping people build cars; I’m helping them relive their dreams.”
Founded in 2018 with the support of Shunsaku Tamiya, son of Tamiya Corporation’s founder Yoshio Tamiya, The Brickyard has become a beloved institution for Tamiya fans. Reflecting on his journey, Kahn said, “I am living the dream of a million people as well.”
