Hot Wheels: World Race
Hot Wheels: World Race is a 2003 computer-animated direct-to-video film based on the "Hot Wheels" television series "Hot Wheels: Highway 35 – World Race" that premiered on Cartoon Network from July 12 to August 2, 2003 which includes five episodes, "Ring of Fire", "The Greatest Challenge", "Desert Heat", "Frozen Fire" and "Wheel of Power" divided into a feature film. The film was distributed on DVD by Family Home Entertainment and Artisan Entertainment. The video game "" was based on the television series. It was released on VHS and DVD on December 2, 2003, and was  followed by "" (2005). Plot. Vert Wheeler is a 16 year old lone skateboarder/surfboarder who just got his driver's license. A random car appears in his driveway with Dr. Peter Tezla telling him that he's looking for the fastest driver in the world. Meeting up with several other drivers in a disclosed location, Vert tests out his new car, which has rocket boosts on the bottom. He draws the ire of two racers, Taro Kitano and Kurt Wylde, the former of which berates him for thinking it's a game. Soon, the race begins, and after every car  goes 300 miles per hour, a portal to another dimension opens. The dimension is basically a large volcano, ready to burst. With a little help from a mysterious driver, it does. Vert is able to use his surfing skills to ride a volcano wave, but his teammate, Lani Tam, has trouble getting through the lava, causing Taro to go back and get her. Vert soon comes back to help Taro, giving out the idea that Lani, who is trapped on a rock that's about to fall, grabs onto a grappling hook. He earns Taro's respect, while Kurt Wylde  finishes first in what is now considered the first leg of the race. The racers are split into 5 teams, led by Banjee Castillo, Brian Kadeem, Kitano, Wylde, and Wheeler. Wheeler recruits his skateboarding friend, Alec Wood, and Kurt's brother, Mark, after the latter rejects him. See also. "Hot Wheels" shows: