I love the rumors that fly around.
Kyosho manufactures the mini-z, Ko-Propo does the electronics. This fact is even stated on the transmitter.
KoProPo has an FM PCB and Modual for the Mini-Z line.
price so high? A mini-z should sale for about $130 street price(in the USA), unless it has been modded or something.
You can race a Mini-Z and hop-up a Mini-Z just the same as you would a 1/10th touring car. Only difference here is the Mini-Z you can have more than one for the same price of a 1/10th toruing car.
Bodies can be changed for cheaper and easier too. For $25.00 you can change your body, and it will be fully painted and well detailed like a Die Cast model.
Lap Timing, can be done using the AMB-it system or the Core Speedway system. No one that i know of uses the Ko Lap counting system for mini-z's.
I hope I have helped in some way...lol
Tim