Where are you located? I'd love to get my hands on a package of those "belts".
I built this kit a couple of years after it was issued (actually I received the Pioneer version as a gift and ordered the Camel decals from Tamiya since I preferred that version more), and it's still one of my favorites in my collection.
Just beware of the sand ladders mounted below the rear wing. They are the only area that really needs improvement. Of course when I built it back then, I didn't even know what sand ladders were!
I'm looking forward to your build.