Yesterday, Toon Zone News reported, based on information released by
Adlink, that the 1967 classic anime series,
"Speed Racer" would begin airing on Nickelodeon this upcoming September. However, after contacting Speed Racer Enterprises and speaking with their CEO, Joe Castille, we have learned that the series is actually the 1997 Japanese re-make (not be confused with the 1993 Fred Wolf produced
"Speed Racer" series), often referred to as
"Speed Racer Y2K." It will make its United States debut as part of the Nickelodeon SLAM action-adventure programming block, Sunday, August 25. Additionally, Nickelodeon issued a press release today regarding the series:
The continent-spanning pop culture phenomenon/TV series
Speed Racer slips into SLAM, Nickelodeon’s new high-velocity Sunday programming block set to premiere August 25 (4-6 p.m. ET/PT). Based on the original Japanese cult classic that debuted in 1967, this Japanese-produced, English-language adaptation centering on the global racing adventures of the teenaged driver of the super-powered Mach 5 makes its American TV debut on Nickelodeon. Slated for telecast on Sundays at 4 p.m. (all times ET/PT),
Speed Racer packs extra action into the SLAM block that also features
Robot Wars (5:30 p.m.) and the hip, humorous alien escapades of
Butt-Ugly Martians (5 p.m.) and Invader Zim (4:30 p.m.).
"Nickelodeon SLAM will get the adrenaline pumping with this new version of the ever-popular
Speed Racer that first captivated millions of kids in the Sixties and Seventies," said Cyma Zarghami, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nickelodeon. "Along with a kid-friendly version of Robot Wars, Nickelodeon SLAM block will also give action lovers some good laughs through the light-hearted, science-fiction misadventures of
Invader Zim and
Butt-Ugly Martians."
A young Lancelot of the raceways, Speed Racer returns with his legendary Mach 5, a vehicle with no equal, racing into a brave but dangerous world filled with exciting new technologies, in this rendition of the classic series. In the suspense-filled, search-and-destroy dramas, the 16-year-old, who aimed to become the world’s best race car driver after losing his brother in the Earth Grand Prix, encounters spies and counter-spies in a web of subterfuge, conspiracy and espionage while trying to uncover the truth behind his brother’s disappearance. He battles evil forces with his friends, aspiring camerawoman Trixie Fontaine and her little brother Spritle.
The newly produced, kid-friendly version of
Robot Wars, based on the original high-octane robotic action series produced by Mentorn Entertainment, features amateur teams who design and build radio-controlled fighting machines to battle it out in gladiatorial style. Slime Time Live’s Dave Aizer and Nick Games and Sports’ Vivianne Collins host the show, which puts kids in the driver seat to showcase their robot design ingenuity and strategies for the competition.
In addition, Nickelodeon SLAM encompasses the international hit series
Butt-Ugly Martians, an irreverent 3-D, CGI-animated action/adventure/comedy series created and produced by Just Entertainment and Mike Young Productions. It’s joined in Nickelodeon SLAM by another quirky little alien, as the original Nicktoon
Invader Zim, created by comic book writer/artist Jhonen Vasquez, tells the silly, twisted tale of alien Zim who’s spying on earth by attending grade school.
[Source: Nickelodeon, Speed Racer Enterprises]
08-15-2002, 12:07 PM
New "Speed Racer" Series Coming to Nickelodeon SLAM
The continent-spanning pop culture phenomenon/TV series Speed Racer slips into SLAM, Nickelodeon’s new high-velocity Sunday programming block set to premiere August 25 (4-6 p.m. ET/PT). Based on the original Japanese cult classic that debuted in 1967, this Japanese-produced, English-language adaptation centering on the global racing adventures of the teenaged driver of the super-powered Mach 5 makes its American TV debut on Nickelodeon. Slated for telecast on Sundays at 4 p.m. (all times ET/PT), Speed Racer packs extra action into the SLAM block that also features Robot Wars (5:30 p.m.) and the hip, humorous alien escapades of Butt-Ugly Martians (5 p.m.) and Invader Zim (4:30 p.m.). 
A young Lancelot of the raceways, Speed Racer returns with his legendary Mach 5, a vehicle with no equal, racing into a brave but dangerous world filled with exciting new technologies, in this rendition of the classic series. In the suspense-filled, search-and-destroy dramas, the 16-year-old, who aimed to become the world’s best race car driver after losing his brother in the Earth Grand Prix, encounters spies and counter-spies in a web of subterfuge, conspiracy and espionage while trying to uncover the truth behind his brother’s disappearance. He battles evil forces with his friends, aspiring camerawoman Trixie Fontaine and her little brother Spritle. 
