1 9 6 7 – 1 9 6 8
52 x 20 minute episodes
“Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer, He’s a demon on wheels”
Young Speed Racer (known as ‘Go Mifune’ in Japan) drives a special sports car, the Mach 5, in races around the world.
The Mach 5, designed by his father, a retired racer, has features that allow Speed to drive over any terrain and through any obstacles.
Speed Racer originally started out in Japan in 1965 as a comic strip by Tatsuo Yoshida and the original Japanese series was entitled Mach-Go-Go.
Speed is often accompanied in his exploits by his girlfriend Trixie, his kid brother Spridle, and Spridle’s pet chimp Chim-chim.
Spridle and Chim Chim are an inseparable team and provide the comic relief in Speed Racer. They have a habit of popping up at just the right time to pull Speed out of a jam so that he can go on to save the day. They often sneak on board the Mach 5 . (So much for the effectiveness of the race scrutineers!).
Hot-headed but lovable race car designer Pops Racer and gangly, awkward, but equally lovable mechanic Sparky were the two men who kept things going behind the scenes.
The Mach 5 was equipped with a variety of special features, which could all be activated via the buttons on the steering wheel. The “A” button set off the automatic jacks to give the Mach 5 jumping power, while button “B” controlled the extra-grip tyres.
When button “C” was pushed, buzzsaws would appear that could cut through any trees that happened to block the vehicle’s path. “E” cranked the headlights up a notch for extra illumination, while buttons “D” and “F” were for use underwater (the former sealed off the cockpit to keep water out – along with bullets and deadly gasses – while the latter supplied 30 minutes’ worth of oxygen and a handy periscope).
Right in the middle of the wheel sat button “G,” which was used to activate a remote-controlled bird that flew out of the front of the car, carrying messages or other info to whomever Speed chose.
The robot’s flight was controlled by a small joystick, and if all else failed, the accompanying “H” button sent the bird straight to the Racer home.
In the world of Formula 1 racing, the least understood driver of them all is the mysterious masked Racer X.
When the once unbeatable Racer X competes, everyone knows there will be trouble. Rumours abound about a “jinx” which follows Racer X to every competition. Whenever he’s in a race, there is a terrible crash.
A rivalry, based on mutual admiration, exists between Speed Racer and the secretive Racer X.
Ironically, Racer X is not only Speed’s greatest competitor, he is also his secret protector. In reality, Racer X is actually Rex Racer, Speed’s older brother who left the family and now works undercover as a top-secret Interpol agent and races his car, The Shooting Star.
Speed Racer
Jack Grimes
Trixie
Corinne Orr
Racer X
Jack Curtis
Spridle
Corinne Orr
Chimchim
Jack Grimes
Inspector Detector
Jack Curtis
Pops Racer
Jack Curtis
Moms Racer
Corinne Orr
Sparky
Jack Grimes
Lionel Racer
Jack Curtis
James Racer
Peter Fernandez
Announcer
Jack Curtis
