Hollywood stars light-up the pits with visit to Yokohama paddock at Long Beach Grand Prix

Speed Racer actors Matthew Fox, Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, Christina Ricci and Susan Sarandon stopped by the Yokohama paddock at the Long Beach Grand Prix for a star-studded photo session with drivers Gerardo Bonilla and Ben Devlin. The ensemble proudly posed with the Mazda LMP2 race car co-sponsored by Yokohama.

Yokohama’s ADVAN tires were named the official tire of both the movie and the Mach 5 race car earlier this year.

“This is a special opportunity to link Yokohama’s motorsports efforts with the promotion of a major motion picture like Speed Racer,” says Fred Koplin, the company’s director of marketing communications. “Away from the racetrack, there is presence with a national television campaign (April 7 - May 10) and in-store promotions with Advantage Yokohama Associate Dealers.”

The LMP2 car features Speed Racer movie logos as well as the famous letter “M” on the front.
Drivers Devlin and Bonilla looked the part, wearing specially-designed suits inspired by the movie. The togs had blue tops and white bottoms complete with Speed Racer logos. The crew also was in Speed Racer-designed shirts. In the ultimate nod to the Mach 5, the LMP2 car’s number was switched from 8 to 5.

Hirsch and Fox were also co-Grand Marshals of the American Le Mans Series race, giving the start command to the field.

“I think it’s safe to say that most race fans watched Speed Racer growing up and it’s pretty cool to tie in the cartoon for both parents and the next generation of race fans and drivers,” says Jim Jordan, alternative marketing manager for Mazda North American operations.

“I’m sure that Ben and Gerardo will both be claiming to be the real Speed Racer,” he adds. “This is the type of fun that Mazda set out to enjoy with the Yokohama tire people and we hope that the Speed Racer fans cheer on the B-K Motorsports team. I know the Mazda enthusiasts will be waiting for the Speed Racer movie to arrive at their local theater in May.”

This latest film by the Wachowski brothers and producer Joel Silver -- creators of The Matrix trilogy -- opens May 9 on screens throughout North America, including selected IMAX presentations.

The high-octane, live-action Speed Racer flick follows the adventures of the young race car driver Speed (Hirsch) in his quest for glory in his thunderous Mach 5. Other key cast members include Benno Fürmann, Hiroyuki Sanada, Asian pop superstar Rain and Richard Roundtree.
Roundtree is perhaps best known for his roles in the 1970s-era Shaft movie franchise. In more recent years, he’s acted in a number of live theater productions and guest starred on “Desperate Housewives” as a shady private detective.

The film is rated PG. For more information, visit www.speedracerthemovie.com.