Race: 55

Maximum Overdrive (1986) is an American horror film written and directed by Stephen King. On June 19, 1987, as the Earth crosses the tail of a rogue comet, Rhea-M, previously inanimate machines suddenly come to life; insults are hurled by an ATM at a customer and a bascule bridge rises during heavy traffic, causing vehicles to plummet into the river or crash into each other. Pandemonium spreads as machines worldwide begin attacking humans. At a truck stop outside Wilmington, North Carolina, employee Duncan Keller is left blinded when gasoline sprays into his eyes from a pump. The waitress Wanda June is injured by an ...

The Hitcher (1986), an American thriller directed by Robert Harmon and written by Eric Red, follows Jim Halsey on his delivery journey from Chicago to San Diego. Along the way, he picks up a hitchhiker in the West Texas desert who goes by John Ryder. However, things take a dark turn when Ryder reveals his violent tendencies and forces Jim to speed past a stranded car. Terrified for his life, Jim musters up the courage to ask what Ryder wants, to which he responds with a chilling demand to be stopped. In a moment of adrenaline-fueled panic, Jim manages to push Ryder out of ...

Deadline Auto Theft (1983), an independent film written and directed by H.B. Halicki, tells the story of LAPD Captain Gibbs and master car thief Maindrian Pace. With new scenes featuring Hoyt Axton, the film is a fusion of Gone in 60 Seconds and The Junkman, along with original material. After an unsuccessful attempt to steal his daughter’s husband’s car, Captain Gibbs wages war against Pace, who uses his insurance investigation company as a cover for his illegal activities. A South American drug lord hires Pace and his team to steal 48 cars, prompting a race against time for both the thieves and the police ...

The independent action comedy film, The Junkman (1982), took two years to produce and features over 200 cars from H. B. Halicki’s personal collection. The plot centers on Harlan B. Hollis, who faces a life-threatening situation when his brother-in-law, a jealous public relations manager, hires assassins to eliminate him before the premiere of his latest film at the Cinerama Dome. At the start of the movie, head hitman Frank Spyros receives instructions for the hit on Hollis while he is driving to a festival in Cholame, California. Meanwhile, an unknown person watches a video showcasing Hollis’s life and then ...

Knightriders (1981), an American action drama film by George A. Romero, follows the story of Billy and his traveling motorcycle jousting troupe. As their leader, Billy takes on the persona of ‘King William’ and strives to uphold Arthurian ideals within the group. However, with the demands of modern life and financial struggles, tensions have started to rise among the troupe. Billy’s recurring dream of a black bird adds to his personal turmoil. To make matters worse, a promoter named Bontempi arrives and further complicates things. Despite being injured, Billy continues to push himself, causing even ...

Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) is an American adventure comedy film directed by Vincent McEveety and written by Don Tait. Taking place shortly after the Trans-France Race, Pete Stancheck inherits Herbie from his uncle, Jim Douglas. Together with his friend Davy ‘D.J.’ Johns, they journey to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to retrieve the beloved car. With help from Paco, a mischievous orphaned pickpocket, they locate the car lot. However, due to Paco taking their wallets, they are unable to pay the holding fee and quickly set off in Herbie to find him. Meanwhile, Paco ...

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977) is an American sports adventure comedy directed by Vincent McEveety and written by Arthur Alsberg and Don Nelson. Protagonist Jim Douglas, accompanied by his partner and mechanic Wheely Applegate, heads to Paris for the chance to participate in the Trans-France Race (a fictional version of the famous Monte Carlo Rally) in hopes of reviving his racing career. The competition includes three formidable opponents: veteran German driver Bruno Von Stickle, French racer Claude Gilbert, and the ...

Directed by Paul Bartel, Death Race 2000 (1975) is a sci-fi action film set in a dystopian future plagued by civil unrest and economic devastation following the ‘World Crash of ’79’. In an attempt to control the population, the government establishes the Transcontinental Road Race, a vicious competition where drivers race across the nation in high-speed cars. The event is notorious for its brutality, with points awarded for hitting and killing innocent pedestrians. The 20th annual race showcases five renowned drivers with eccentric personas and themed cars – Frankenstein, a revered hero in black; ...

Herbie Rides Again (1974) is a comedic American film helmed by director Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh, based on a story by Gordon Buford. Alonzo A. Hawk, a well-known real estate mogul and expert in demolition, has plans to construct his latest project, the 130-story Hawk Plaza in San Francisco. However, the only standing structure on the site is the 1892 firehouse currently occupied by Mrs. Steinmetz, the late Fire Captain Steinmetz’s widow and Tennessee Steinmetz’s aunt. Despite multiple attempts ...

Gone in 60 Seconds (1974), an American independent action film, features writer, director, producer, and star H.B. Halicki. The protagonist, Maindrian Pace, is both a respectable insurance investigator and the head of an automobile chop shop in Long Beach, California. Together with his professional car theft ring, Pace steals and resells cars using legitimate parts and details (such as vehicle identification numbers and bumper stickers) from purchased wrecks. Despite his insider knowledge in the insurance industry, Pace has one peculiar rule: all stolen cars must be insured. During a chance encounter with a South ...

The film, Le Mans (1971), directed by Lee H. Katzin and starring Steve McQueen, revolves around a fictional 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. Top-notch driver Michael Delaney comes across Lisa, the widow of his former rival Piero Belgetti, purchasing flowers before the big race. He takes a trip to the location where Belgetti tragically passed away in a car accident the previous year. As he recalls the moment when Belgetti lost control of his Ferrari, causing both their cars to crash, Lisa – like many others – blames Delaney for the tragedy. At the race, she is visibly upset ...

Duel (1971), an American telefilm directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the story of David Mann, a middle-aged salesman on a business trip in the Mojave Desert. While driving his Plymouth Valiant sedan, Mann encounters an old tanker truck that is driving slowly. After passing the truck, it suddenly speeds up and then returns to its slow pace. This pattern continues as Mann passes the truck again and it honks its horn. Frustrated, Mann stops at a gas station where the truck pulls in next to him. The driver’s identity remains hidden with only their boots visible to Mann. In an attempt to diffuse his tense situation, ...

Winning (1969) is an American Panavision film that follows the story of professional race car driver Frank Capua. After meeting divorcee Elora, the two quickly marry following a whirlwind romance. Elora’s teenage son Charley, from her previous marriage, forms a close bond with Frank and even helps him prepare for his races. However, Frank’s intense focus on his career causes strain on their relationship and leads to Elora having an affair with Frank’s rival Luther Erding. Upon discovering them together, a furious Frank storms out and the couple separates. Despite this, Frank maintains a relationship with Charley and his bitterness only drives him to ...

The Love Bug (1969), an American sports adventure comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson, tells the story of race car driver Jim Douglas. After being reduced to competing in demolition derby races against younger drivers, Jim lives with his friend Tennessee Steinmetz, a mechanic and sculptor who uses old car parts, in an old fire house overlooking San Francisco Bay. One day at a fancy European car showroom, Jim meets Carole Bennett and the dealership’s owner Peter Thorndyke. Thorndyke is seen mistreating a white Volkswagen Beetle that was recently returned. Due to financial reasons, Jim decides not to purchase a ...

Grand Prix (1966), an American sports drama film, was directed by John Frankenheimer and written by Robert Alan Aurthur. Set in the world of Formula One racing, it follows the journeys of four drivers as they navigate the high-stakes and danger of their profession. Alongside their racing exploits, we see the complicated relationships they have with the women in their lives. For example, Sarti engages in an affair with American journalist Louise Frederickson, who initially shows little interest in motorsports. Meanwhile, Aron has a fling with Stoddard’s unhappy wife ...