The Original Cast of Speed Racer Opens New Store to Raise Money for Charity and Rewrites a Hit Song

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13, 2002 -- Speed Racer Autoworks, LLC (SRA) makers of the real Mach 5(TM) racecars (based on the hit cartoon series Speed Racer©) have developed a new line of Speed Racer apparel, a new song to promote the store, and as of today, all of the original voice actors from Speed Racer© signed an exclusive long term agreement to promote www.speedracer.la , and raise money for charity.

At www.speedracer.la you can now find everything from a real Mach 5(TM) racecar to an all-new exclusive line of apparel and memorabilia. Twenty percent of the profits from sales are donated to Child Safety Network (CSN), a 13-year-old charitable trust dedicated to preventing child abuse, abduction and injury. ( www.safeamericanfamily.org ).

To promote donations to CSN, Ward Leber and Peter Fernandez re-wrote the hit song "Mercury Blues" as a parody now called "Crazy About A Mach 5(TM)." (Click on the NEW SONG Crazy About A MACH5 on the website to listen or download) In addition, Peter recently helped design the first-ever piece of Speed Racer memorabilia that has the image of a real Mach 5(TM).

"It's a beautiful full color T-shirt that we are giving away free with the 1st purchase anyone makes on the web site. I had a great time writing and directing all 52 classic Speed Racer episodes. I especially loved being the voices of Speed Racer© and Racer X(TM). But when I wrote the lyrics to the now famous theme song 'Go Speed Racer Go' 35 years ago, I never thought I would be writing another song. I really hope that people will log on and help my favorite charity, CSN, while they rekindle that happy childhood memory that every Speed Racer© fan seems to have," said Fernandez.

The only place in the world you can get an original cast member's signature on any Speed Racer© memorabilia is from www.speedracer.la . The same is true for any public appearances. Promoters that want the Mach 5(TM) and the cast at any public event can book them through Speed Racer Autoworks, LLC provided a portion of the revenues are donated to CSN.

Next year, speedracer.la will offer a virtual test drive of the Mach 5(TM) and people can even purchase a phone call from Speed Racer himself, Peter Fernandez or the voice of Trixie, Corinne Orr. Features to be added also include the ability to rent a real Mach 5(TM) and a national look-a-like contest for the cast of Speed Racer©.

Speed Racer© (recorded in 1958) celebrates is 35th anniversary on U.S. television this year. An estimated 50 million Speed Racer fans grew up watching Speed in his fabulous Mach 5(TM).