Tamiya has never been supported very well locally. You mention "online". There's a whole world out there - RC Mart, eBay, etc.
And it all depends on where you live. Mini is booming in Canberra again. F1, not so.... It only takes 1 or 2 people to come out and race to boost things up a bit.
Check here for all things mini:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/australi...hread-377.html