Challenge of the Masked Racer
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[edit] Challenge of the Masked Racer
The Challenge of the Masked Racer is composed of episodes three and four from the first season of Speed Racer (1). Both episodes center on introducing the Masked Racer who is secretly Rex Racer (Speed’s older brother). The main villains in these episodes consist of Mr. Wiley and his Alpha Racing Team who will try to pull off any illicit scheme to win the upcoming Trans-Country Race.
[edit] Unique Characters
Racer X (Rex Racer): Simply called the Masked Racer in both episodes, Racer X is a major contender in every race he enters. Although he shows extreme competitiveness when driving the performance Shooting Star (2), Racer X gives Speed Racer unending support and continues to get him out of harm’s way in many later episodes (he is actually Rex Racer, the eldest son in the Racer family). He truly fulfills the role of a caring elder brother as he usually sacrifices winning to keep Speed out of danger.
Mr. Wiley: Mr. Wiley is the leader of Alpha Team and a major conspirator against Racer X in previous races. Nonetheless, he tries to persuade him to become his main racer.
Mr. Fixer: Mr. Fixer is one of Mr. Wiley’s partners in the Alpha Team. He mediates using Mr. Wiley’s money and discreetly runs Alpha Team dirty work.
Zoomer Slick: As the main driver of the Alpha Racing Team, it is Slick’s responsibility to win the Trans-Country Race for Mr. Wiley and the team as a whole. He is an aggressive, hotheaded driver that easily resembles Duggery from the first two episodes (“The Great Plan”).
[edit] Part I
Part I of “Challenge of the Masked Racer” begins with Speed and Trixie riding the Mach 5 (3) to the docks in hopes of catching a glimpse of the famed Racer X. When they reach the docks, they find the Masked Racer (Racer X) tuning up his high performance racecar, the Shooting Star. Racer X can be seen being pressed for information by numerous reporters, which he ignores whole heartedly. In the midst of the press, Mr. Wiley makes his way through to try and sway the Masked Racer to represent his Alpha Team, but he fails as the famed racer drives off in his Shooting Star. Following the Racer X’s exit, Speed decides to enter the Trans-Country Race and signs up without his father’s permission.
Around the same time, a shady Alpha Team crony named Mr. Fixer and another racing team mediator try and outbid each other in an attempt to get Pops Racer to make Speed their main driver. At the end of the bidding war, Mr. Fixer ends the money feud by offering $50,000, but Pops refuses as he is very discouraging of Speed’s racing career. As a result, Alpha Team chooses Zoomer Slick as their primary driver in the upcoming race.
Later that night, Pops erupts at Speed when he hears on the TV of his plan to drive in the race. He explains to Speed the Trans-Country Race is too big of an event for his skill level, and it might lead to the same incident that caused his older brother, Rex, to run away from home. The story cuts to a flashback where the young Rex secretly races one of Pops’ prime cars and crashes it yards before the finish line. Frustrated further by the arrival of his concerned but angry father, Rex chooses to run away when Pops threatens to end his racing career. In the end, Speed decides out of his father’s concern not to race but his choices leave him frustrated.
The following day, Spritle and Chim Chim are out in the park when Racer X appears, bribing them with candy to give Speed a secret letter. Spritle gives Speed the letter, but he never reveals the message; it could be assumed to further discourage his younger brother from entering the race. While in bed, Speed’s frustration due to his lack of experience compels him to practice; he leaves with the Mach 5 to earn his experience amidst poor driving conditions promoted by a thunderstorm. He arrives at a deserted track and readies his car when the Masked Racer appears. Playing the role of the responsible elder brother, he attempts to dissuade Speed from testing his limits, but out of pride he drives the Mach 5 into the night. With his Shooting Star, Racer X pursues Speed in an attempt to race. On the road, Speed’s lack of experience begins to show as he periodically loses control. He ends up crashing on a pile of fallen logs laid out on the road. Though their origins are not known, it could be suggested that these were released as an Alpha Team trap (a man’s arm cutting the logs’ rope can be seen briefly before the fall). It could have also been cargo from the ship when it spearheads the dock (these are only suggestions). Part II begins following the accident.
[edit] Part II
Following the accident at the end of Part I, Speed is taken unconscious by Racer X to his house. It begins with the Masked Racer having a monologue about the same event Pops used to teach Speed a lesson. Through this flashback he reveals to be Rex Racer and shows his concern for his little brother’s desire for winning the race because conspirators he has faced in previous incidents will be starting trouble at the Trans-Country Race. Shortly after, Speed wakes up and realizes he is in the same house as Racer X by the looks of the numerous trophies around him. He finds his fabled mask, and the moment he wears it, he is knocked out by Alpha Team kidnappers. Meanwhile, Trixie and Spritle begin to look for Speed as soon as they realize of his disappearance the night before. They reach Racer X’s house and find the kidnappers taking Speed under his brother’s mask. Though Trixie tries to follow them, the cronies hide in the woods, remove the cars canvas exterior (changing the colors), and leave without a trace. Fortunately for Speed, Chim Chim and Spritle stow themselves away in the kidnapper’s car as they are off to Mr. Wiley’s mansion. When they reach the mansion, Spritle and Chim Chim are caught by Mr. Fixer and are held captive by the Alpha Team. However, Chim Chim escapes and makes his way to Trixie. Through Chim Chim’s gestures, he leads Trixie to Wiley’s hideaway along with Racer X who follows inconspicuously from behind. Back at the mansion, Spritle and Speed are held hostage in the basement. Speed hurls himself at one of the sentries, knocking over oil barrels as he makes his way. Another crony begins firing his gun and hits the oil barrels, causing a massive explosion that leads to Wiley’s mansion being fully ignited. Luckily for Speed and Spritle, Racer X arrives just in time to remove them from the fire. Following the incident, the Masked Racer learns that Wiley’s Alpha Racing Team is behind all these criminal acts; he leaves, warning Speed to stay out of the race.
On the following morning, the Trans-Country Race begins and Speed Racer enters despite his father’s and brother’s warnings. Speed and Racer X both compete against the numerous racing teams including over a half dozen Alpha Team cars with Zoomer Slick at the helm. The many Alpha Team cronies do everything they can to stop Speed and Rex Racer from finishing the race, using their many cars to ram them off the track. They also reflect light off mirrors to block Rex’s vision and try to put gasoline in the Shooting Star’s radiator (the radiator scheme was foiled by Spritle). Unfortunately for them, they only seem to wreck themselves but do manage somewhat to crash the Shooting Star, which causes Speed to return to the accident. Despite Rex’s misfortunes, he urges Speed to continue the race and pushes his car to the pit stop to make minute repairs. As the last lap goes under way, it is Speed in the Mach Five who crosses the finish line first, followed by Racer X and Zoomer Slick. Winning this championship earns Speed’s initiation into the world of professional driving as even Pops (who was reluctant to see his middle son follow in Rex’s footsteps) allows him to become a full time racer. As for Racer X, he leaves inconspicuously with the hopes of Speed becoming the best racecar driver in the world.
[edit] References
1.Johnson, Glen. "Speed Racer." Glen Johnson's 60's Anime. 03 Apr 2007. 19 Oct 2007 http://home.alphalink.com.au/~roglen/speed.htm.
2."The Cars." Speed Racer: The Official Website. 2002. Iron Monkey Interactive. 19 Oct 2007 http://www.speedracer.com/cars-mach5.htm.
3."A Brief Description of the Racer Family/Go Team." The Speed Zone. 29 Nov 2002. 19 Oct 2007 http://maxpages.com/speedracer/Characters.
4.Napier, Susan J. Anime: From Akira to Howl's Moving Castle. Updated ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 200.
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