In Australia, local Tamiya distributer used to advertise in full-size motoring magazines. I stumbled across an add for a Wild Willy, and promptly wrote to Tamiya for info about the car (1983...pre-email
).
They sent me a whole catalogue and a list of local tracks - went down to one and I was hooked!
Never got a Wild Willy though - ended up with a Marui Hunter and started racing in 84.