Roary the Racing Car
Encyclopedia
Roary the Racing Car is an animated children's television show that currently airs on Milkshake!
on Five and Nick Jr.
in the United Kingdom
, PBS Kids Sprout
in the United States
, Treehouse TV
in Canada
, Discovery Kids
in Latin America
, and Nick Jr. and ABC2
in Australia
. Produced by Chapman Entertainment
, the producers of Fifi and the Flowertots, It follows the adventures of Roary and his race car friends at Silver Hatch race track. Roary is a red racing car
shaped similarly to a grand prix
car. He lives at the Silver Hatch racing circuit.
circuit called Silver Hatch (an amalgamation of the names of the two British Grand Prix
racing circuits, Silverstone
and Brands Hatch
). The majority of the action takes place at the track's pits
and workshop, although we often follow the cars on their laps around the track. Occasionally, the characters venture to external locations such as the nearby beach.
from British Grand Prix
legend, Sir Stirling Moss
. He is never seen, but is used as a voice-over
. The US version is narrated by NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series and former IndyCar
driver Sam Hornish Jr.
, and latterly by Chapman Entertainment's own in-house studio the series uses a combination of computer-generated imagery
and stop-motion animation. The series was originated by David Jenkins, who spent four years working in senior management at Brands Hatch Race Circuit. It was designed and developed by Keith Chapman
, creative director of Chapman Entertainment and the originator of Bob the Builder
and Fifi and the Flowertots. The series executive producer is Greg Lynn.
, Maria Darling
, Dominic Frisby, Marc Silk
and Tim Whitnall
. In the US version some voices are by Kerry Shale
.
Milkshake!
Milkshake! is a television programming block on Channel 5, aimed at children 2 to 7 years old. The strand debuted in 1997 and is broadcast on weekdays from 06:00 to 09:00, and from 07:00 to 10:00 on weekends. Sunday and Monday Mornings its broadcast 05:00 to 09:15/10:00. It used to air on 5*...
on Five and Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. (UK)
Nick Jr. is a television channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland operated by Nickelodeon UK. The channel is aimed at pre-school children.-History:...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, PBS Kids Sprout
PBS KIDS Sprout
PBS Kids Sprout is a U.S. digital cable television channel, video-on-demand service, and website providing PBS Kids shows and original programming for preschoolers and their families...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Treehouse TV
Treehouse TV
Treehouse TV is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel with programming targeted towards preschoolers that was launched on October 17, 1997. Its name comes from YTV's old children's programming block, The Treehouse...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Discovery Kids
Discovery Kids (Latin America)
Discovery Kids Latin America is a cable television channel owned by Discovery Communications and headquartered in Miami, Florida, which started as a programming block on the Latin American version of Discovery Channel. It is the only Discovery channel to feature spokescharacters. Since the original...
in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, and Nick Jr. and ABC2
ABC2
ABC2 is a national public television channel in Australia. Launched on 7 March 2005, it is the responsibility of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's television division, and is available nationally to digital television viewers in Australia...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Produced by Chapman Entertainment
Chapman Entertainment
Chapman Entertainment is a United Kingdom television production company founded by Keith Chapman and the producer of the Fifi and the Flowertots television show for Five....
, the producers of Fifi and the Flowertots, It follows the adventures of Roary and his race car friends at Silver Hatch race track. Roary is a red racing car
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
shaped similarly to a grand prix
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
car. He lives at the Silver Hatch racing circuit.
Plot
The series follows the lives and adventures of racing vehicles Roary, Maxi, Cici, Tin Top and the human people they work for, Chris and Marsha the mechanics and the owner of the race track Mr. Carburettor. Also P.C Pete, local farmer Green, Molecom and Flash. The plot sometimes revolves around other vehicle characters, such as Drifter, Rusty, Nick, Plugger, Zippee, Hellie, Breeze, Conrad, James and Loada.Setting
Roary the Racing Car is set around a fictional motor racingAuto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
circuit called Silver Hatch (an amalgamation of the names of the two British Grand Prix
British Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix is a race in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship. It is currently held at the Silverstone Circuit near the village of Silverstone in Northamptonshire...
racing circuits, Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
and Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
). The majority of the action takes place at the track's pits
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
and workshop, although we often follow the cars on their laps around the track. Occasionally, the characters venture to external locations such as the nearby beach.
Narration
Each story begins and ends with a brief narrationNarrator
A narrator is, within any story , the fictional or non-fictional, personal or impersonal entity who tells the story to the audience. When the narrator is also a character within the story, he or she is sometimes known as the viewpoint character. The narrator is one of three entities responsible for...
from British Grand Prix
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
legend, Sir Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
. He is never seen, but is used as a voice-over
Voice-over
Voice-over is a production technique where a voice which is not part of the narrative is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations...
. The US version is narrated by NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup Series and former IndyCar
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
driver Sam Hornish Jr.
Production
The stop frame animation was initially provided by Cosgrove Hall FilmsCosgrove Hall Films
Cosgrove Hall Films was a British animation studio based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, that once was a major producer of children's television programmes. Cosgrove Hall's programmes are still seen in over eighty countries...
, and latterly by Chapman Entertainment's own in-house studio the series uses a combination of computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
and stop-motion animation. The series was originated by David Jenkins, who spent four years working in senior management at Brands Hatch Race Circuit. It was designed and developed by Keith Chapman
Keith Chapman
For organist Keith Chapman , see Keith Chapman Keith V. Chapman is a television writer and producer based in the United Kingdom who most notably created Bob the Builder.-Biography:...
, creative director of Chapman Entertainment and the originator of Bob the Builder
Bob the Builder
Bob the Builder is a British children's animated television show created by Keith Chapman. In the original series Bob appears as a building contractor specialising in masonry in a stop motion animated programme with his colleague Wendy, various neighbours and friends, and their gang of...
and Fifi and the Flowertots. The series executive producer is Greg Lynn.
The Characters
The voices for most of the characters come from Peter KayPeter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
, Maria Darling
Maria Darling
Maria Darling is an English voice actress who regularly provides character voices for children's television programmes in the UK and the US, as well as videogames such as the Professor Layton series and the UK versions of the Ape Escape franchise....
, Dominic Frisby, Marc Silk
Marc Silk
Marc Silk is a voice actor from Solihull, England.His work includes appearances in Chicken Run and as the U.S. voice of Bob in Bob the Builder, the roles of Aks Moe in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Johnny Bravo, and commissions for Disney.- Animation & Cartoons :* Bob The Builder -...
and Tim Whitnall
Tim Whitnall
Tim Whitnall , is a British actor, musician, playwright and screenwriter probably best known for his portrayal of the alien Angelo on the British CITV sitcom Mike and Angelo....
. In the US version some voices are by Kerry Shale
Kerry Shale
Kerry Shale is a UK-based actor, writer and voice-over artist. He is married to Suzanne Shale, a former Oxford University law don, now a specialist in the field of medical ethics.-Theatre:...
.
Vehicular characters
- Roary is a young and enthusiastic junior single-seater racing car. He is the main character in the show and is Big Chris' "number one star". Roary is inexperienced and he often makes mistakes. However, with the help of his friends, he always learns from them. Roary wears a white baseball capBaseball capA baseball cap is a type of soft cap with a rounded stiff brim. The front of the cap typically contains designs or logos of sports teams ,...
and with a number 1 emblazoned in a red star. Roary's catchphrase is "Light 'em up". He is voiced by Maria DarlingMaria DarlingMaria Darling is an English voice actress who regularly provides character voices for children's television programmes in the UK and the US, as well as videogames such as the Professor Layton series and the UK versions of the Ape Escape franchise....
.
- Maxi is an older yellow Formula 1 type racing car who was the star of Silver Hatch before Roary arrived. He is temperamental and expects the best of everything - including first use of the tyre warmers. He wears sunglassesSunglassesSunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that...
and a blue cap and sports the number 5. Maxi is Italian and is the favourite of Mr Carburettor. Maxi's catchphrase is "Mamma Mia!" He speaks in a mock Italian accent, although this is de-emphasized in the US voiceover. When starting a race Maxi can make flames erupt from his exhaust. There is a healthy sibling rivalry between Maxi and Roary. Voiced by Marc SilkMarc SilkMarc Silk is a voice actor from Solihull, England.His work includes appearances in Chicken Run and as the U.S. voice of Bob in Bob the Builder, the roles of Aks Moe in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Johnny Bravo, and commissions for Disney.- Animation & Cartoons :* Bob The Builder -...
.
- Cici (known as "Zizzy" in the US voiceover) is a bright pink and purple stunt car with a number 3 painted on her front. She is an electric carElectric carAn electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
and carries solar panels on her roof. She has a flirtatious attitude and is always challenging Roary to "Catch me!" Cici is French and has a French accent. Her catchphrase is "Race you!". She is one of Roary's best friends and the first car to talk to and race Roary on his first day. Cici seems to have crush on Maxi, though Cici is often very impressed by Roary as well. Voiced by Maria Darling.
- Tin Top is a big and powerful stock car. He often takes his corners too fast and wide and regularly ends up in either the sand trapRun-off areaA run-off area is an area on a racetrack for racer safety. Run-off areas are usually located along a race course where racers are most likely to unintentionally depart from the prescribed course. It is also known as a gravel trap or, informally, kitty litter – see glossary of motorsport terms...
, the tyre wall or the mud, generally in a tangled heap of disconnected parts. Tin Top's catchphrase is appropriate given his frequent visits to the workshop: "Tape me up, hammer me in and send me out!" He speaks in a mock-American accent, and is voiced by Peter KayPeter KayPeter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
. Like Maxi, Tin Top can make flames come out of his tailpipes. In the US version, Tin Top speaks in a stereotypical "urban" accent, he wears the number 88 on his sides and does not seem to have a catchphrase. Voiced by Peter Kay.
- Drifter (known as "Dragga" in the US voiceover) is a very hi-tech DriftDrifting (motorsport)Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed...
racing car. In line with his name he can be observed to exhibit extreme oversteer handling characteristics, with his tail end swinging out wide on every corner. He has an on-board computer with a head up display in his windscreen. Drifter has a fabulous dragon on his sides and also sports blue neon undertray lighting and he wears the number 6 on the top of his front windshield and back windshield. He speakes in a mock Japanese accent. Drifter's catchphrase in the UK version is "Go-go nitro boost!"; he does not have a catchphrase in the US version. Voiced by Marc Silk.
- Rusty is an old, rustRustRust is a general term for a series of iron oxides. In colloquial usage, the term is applied to red oxides, formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture...
y, immobile caravan who lives at Silver Hatch. He is often found to be sleeping, but rarely minds being woken up by the other characters and he enjoys reminiscing about his time as a mobile caravan. He can give useful advice, but often entirely by accident. Big Chris lives in Rusty. Voiced by Dominic Frisby.
- Plugger (known as "Lugga" in the US voiceover) is a 4x4 off-road vehicle, or "mud-plugger". Plugger is the most laid-back character at Silver Hatch and he never gets rushed or panic-stricken. In the UK version, he speaks with a soft Caribbean accent; in the US version, he speaks in a mild Southern drawl. He often uses his telescopic winch to rescue Roary and Maxi from mud, gravel, or sand. Plugger can often be heard uttering his catchphrase "No need to race, Plugger's on the case!" Voiced by Dominic Frisby.
- FB (known as "Trucksy" in the US voiceover) is Farmer Green's pickup truckPickup truckA pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
. He is usually seen with Farmer Green, or playing with Cici and Roary. His main catchphrase is "Roary's my best friend". Voiced by Dominic Frisby.
- Zippee is Marsha's motor scooterScooter (motorcycle)A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
. Zippee is of indeterminate gender as the only vocalizations made by Zippee are a beeping sound, similar to a small car horn. The hit entertainment site states that Zippee is female.
- Hellie is a bright red and purple helicopterHelicopterA helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
, who transports Mr. Carburettor around the track. He has a large headsetHeadphonesHeadphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, held close to a user's ears and connected to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player or portable Media Player. They are also known as stereophones, headsets or, colloquially, cans. The in-ear...
which he uses to communicate with the ground-crew, usually broadcasting a booming "Hellie is Go!" Voiced by Marc Silk.
- James is a silver classic sports car, who takes Mamma Mia wherever she needs to go. He has several gizmos and gadgets including an ejector seat, an umbrella, water cannons and a towel. His catchphrase is, "The name's James", and he speaks with a posh British accent. Voiced by Marc Silk.
- Nick is the Silver Hatch police car, who works with P.C Pete to keep the cars safe. He enjoys playing with the other cars and he wishes he could race with them too. His catchphrase is "Wicked!" Voiced by Marc Silk.
- Breeze is a beach buggy who lives at the beach at Silver Hatch. She is good at stunts, like Cici, and loves it when the other cars come to visit. Her catchphrase is "Life's a breeze", and speaks with a very fake Australian accent.
- Loada is a transport truck who takes the cars to special occasions. He has lots of different stories from the road and he enjoys telling them to his friends. His catchphrase is "Lock n' Loada", and he has a slight Italian accent. Voiced by Tim WhitnallTim WhitnallTim Whitnall , is a British actor, musician, playwright and screenwriter probably best known for his portrayal of the alien Angelo on the British CITV sitcom Mike and Angelo....
.
- Conrod is an Australian race car who is named after the famous straight at the Mount Panorama CircuitMount Panorama CircuitMount Panorama Circuit is a motor racing track located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It is the home of the Bathurst 12 Hour motor race, held each February, and the Bathurst 1000 motor race, held each October...
in Bathurst, New South WalesBathurst, New South Wales-CBD and suburbs:Bathurst's CBD is located on William, George, Howick, Russell, and Durham Streets. The CBD is approximately 25 hectares and surrounds two city blocks. Within this block layout is banking, government services, shopping centres, retail shops, a park* and monuments...
. He has a big noisy V8 and arrives without warning at Silver Hatch. He is voiced by three times Australian Touring Car ChampionAustralian Touring Car ChampionshipThe Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The...
and 5 times Bathurst 1000Bathurst 1000The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
winner Craig LowndesCraig LowndesCraig Lowndes is a multi-championship winning Australian racing driver. He is a three-time V8 Supercar champion and five-time winner of Australia's most famous motor race, the Bathurst 1000...
.
Human Characters
- Big Chris (Voiced by Bolton-born comedian Peter KayPeter KayPeter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
) is Silver Hatch race track's mechanic. He occasionally commentates, and starts races. He lives in Rusty the caravan, and looks after the race track and cars. Big Chris has a typically northern catchphrase, "You bend it, you mend it." (The US version, much less mellifluous, is "You bend it, you fix it.") Big Chris is portrayed as being very messy and absent-minded, often "losing" objects directly in his line of sight, and eternally surprised by his own walkie-talkieWalkie-talkieA walkie-talkie is a hand-held, portable, two-way radio transceiver. Its development during the Second World War has been variously credited to Donald L. Hings, radio engineer Alfred J. Gross, and engineering teams at Motorola...
. While working on the cars, he often practices his karaokeKaraokeis a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
with an out-of-tune version of a song called "Motor Man". Peter KayPeter KayPeter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
also sings the "Roary The Racing Car" theme tune. In the US version he was voiced by Kerry ShaleKerry ShaleKerry Shale is a UK-based actor, writer and voice-over artist. He is married to Suzanne Shale, a former Oxford University law don, now a specialist in the field of medical ethics.-Theatre:...
(known for his voice roles in Dennis the Menace and Budgie the Little HelicopterBudgie the Little HelicopterBudgie the Little Helicopter is a series of children's books and animated television series relating to a fictional character 'Budgie' and his friends. The characters were based on the books by Sarah, Duchess of York , who was influenced by her flight training in the Royal Navy...
) who also sang the American version of the theme song.
- Marsha is a race marshal and the unofficial administrator of the Silver Hatch race track. She loves things to be tidy and organised, which often puts her into conflict with Big Chris. She is very fit and enjoys a good run. She speaks with a thick British accent and her UK-version catchphrase is "Gears to go, brakes to slow!", while in the US version she has no catchphrase. She is also voiced by Maria DarlingMaria DarlingMaria Darling is an English voice actress who regularly provides character voices for children's television programmes in the UK and the US, as well as videogames such as the Professor Layton series and the UK versions of the Ape Escape franchise....
.
- Mr. Carburettor is the flamboyant owner of Silver Hatch race track. In the original UK version, he speaks with a pronounced Italian accent, while his US counterpart has a New York accent. His favourite car is Maxi, who he considers to be the greatest car in all the world. He has a gold toothFixed prosthodonticsFixed prosthodontics in dentistry is a technique used to restore teeth, using fixed restorations , which include crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and veneers. Prosthodontists are specialist dentists who have undertaken training recognized by academic institutions in this field...
, which sparkles in the sun when he smiles. He has a quick temper, often turning red, making steam come out of his ears and yelling that the object of his anger is "driving me up the ceiling!" He is a perfectionist who sometimes berates Big Chris for tardiness, although Marsha often covers for Big Chris in front of Mr. Carburettor. Mr. Carburettor often likes to watch his cars race around the track, usually cheering for Maxi, although he does congratulate the winner, whoever it may be. He shares the same catchphrase as Maxi, "Mamma Mia", and he can often be heard singing opera. For some reason Mr. Carburettor can't say Tin Top's name right. His first name has been revealed to be Antonio. Voiced by Tim WhitnallTim WhitnallTim Whitnall , is a British actor, musician, playwright and screenwriter probably best known for his portrayal of the alien Angelo on the British CITV sitcom Mike and Angelo....
.
- Farmer Green owns the farm located just to the side of the Silver Hatch race track. He often waves as the cars zoom past. He owns Dinkie the Donkey, and likes to invent bio-fuelsBiofuelBiofuel is a type of fuel whose energy is derived from biological carbon fixation. Biofuels include fuels derived from biomass conversion, as well as solid biomass, liquid fuels and various biogases...
, which sometimes work, but often don't. His UK catchphrase is "Green by name, green by nature!", though like many of the other characters, his US counterpart has no catchphrase. Voiced by Tim Whitnall.
- Mama Mia is Mr. Carburettor's mother and the owner of James. When she first visited Silver Hatch, it was thanks to Flash that she enjoyed the race (which resulted in every car except Roary crashing). Now she is a regular visitor to the racetrack. Her catchphrase is "Home James", and she speaks with an Italian accent. Voiced by Maria Darling.
- P.C. Pete is the Silvehatch policeman and Marsha's younger brother. When he sees one of the race cars speeding away from the track, he calls to his police car, Nick to follow them. His catchphrase is "Follow that car", and he is voiced by Marc SilkMarc SilkMarc Silk is a voice actor from Solihull, England.His work includes appearances in Chicken Run and as the U.S. voice of Bob in Bob the Builder, the roles of Aks Moe in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Johnny Bravo, and commissions for Disney.- Animation & Cartoons :* Bob The Builder -...
.
Animal Characters
- Flash, known as "Furz" in the US dubbing, is an anthropomorphic rabbitRabbitRabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
, who lives under a tree on the edge of the track at "Hare-Pin Bend" (a play on 'hairpin turnHairpin turnA hairpin turn , named for its resemblance to a hairpin/bobby pin, is a bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for an oncoming vehicle to turn almost 180° to continue on the road. Such turns in ramps and trails may be called switchbacks in American English, by analogy...
'). He regularly tries to cause mischief, from small things like hiding equipment to intentionally trying to cause accidents by moving traffic cones around to divert the racing cars the wrong way. Flash really wants to be a racing driver and often challenges the Silver Hatch cars to race against him as he rides his high-powered skateboard. When Flash is caught getting up to no good you will often hear his catchphrase: "Flash must dash!" In the US, he has several catchphrases: "Furz...must fly!" and "Chew my carrots!" being two oft-repeated ones. Voiced by Marc Silk.
- Molecom is a bespectacled moleMole (animal)Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
who is often found clearing up the mess left behind after Flash has tried to cause havoc. Being a mole, he lives underground, and often digs out, causing molehillMolehillA molehill is a conical mound of loose soil raised by small burrowing mammals, including moles, but also similar animals such as mole-rats, marsupial moles and voles...
s to appear when he comes up. By some kind of sixth sense, Molecom never seems to dig out through the track, although is often seen digging out through the concreteConcreteConcrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
pit stop area. His catchphrase is "I'm a mole with a role". Voiced by Dominic Frisby.
- Dinkie is an old, grey donkeyDonkeyThe donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
who is often seen at the side of the race track (and occasionally on it), with his ears flapping after the cars race past him. Dinkie's vocal effects are performed by Marc Silk.
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01 | Roary's First Day | Roary feels nervous as he waits to take part in a big race and Big Chris reminds him of his first day at Silver Hatch | 7 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 02 | Roary Slips Up | Roary spills oil on the racing track | 8 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 03 | Big Chris Flags It Up | Big Chris makes a mistake | 9 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 04 | Express Delivery | Roary fetches a batch of eggs from the farm for Big Chris | 10 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 05 | Roary's Day at the Seaside | Roary lands himself in trouble | 11 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 06 | Roary Takes Off | Big Chris discovers a novel way of cleaning Roary's fuel intake | 14 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 07 | Cici Takes the Blame | Marsha's picnic blanket is damaged and she believes Cici is to blame | 15 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 08 | Big Chris' Big Workout | Big Chris has a race with Marsha | 16 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 09 | Flash Flips Out | Flash grows tired of the constant roar of engines and decides to divert the cars off the track | 17 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 10 | Rusty Remembers | Rusty the caravan needs his friends to cheer him up | 18 May, 2007 |
| 1 | 11 | Easy on the Fuel | Roary tries to include Maxi in the big race even after he runs out of fuel | |
| 1 | 12 | Communication Breakdown | Marsha forgets to charge the walkie-talkies, and everyone struggles to stay in touch | |
| 1 | 13 | Blue Light Job | Big Chris tries to fix Drifter's neon light | |
| | | ||||
| 2 | 01 | Make Your Mind Up Roary | The gang prepare for a special trip, but Roary can't decide where they should go | |
| 2 | 02 | Workshop Roary | Roary and Tin Top offer to run the workshop while Big Chris has a nap | |
| 2 | 03 | Tip Top Tin Top | Tin Top impresses a visiting car designer | |
| 2 | 04 | Tunnel Vision | Roary helps Maxi get over a fear of racing | |
| 2 | 05 | Molecom Makes Music | Molecom wants to be more musical like Big Chris | |
| 2 | 06 | Roary Goes Missing | Roary goes off for the day without telling anyone where he is heading, causing Big Chris to panic | |
| 2 | 07 | Mama Mia | Mr Carburettor learns that his mother is coming to visit | |
| 2 | 08 | Surround Sound | Big Chris is annoyed when his karaoke machine breaks down just when he needs to rehearse for an important competition | |
| 2 | 09 | Plugger's on the Case | Plugger realises he can't do everything by himself - sometimes he needs his friends | |
| 2 | 10 | Big Chris Learns to Fly | Big Chris has problems while flying a helicopter | |
| 2 | 11 | Musical Mayhem | Hellie breaks down and is unable to take Mr Carburettor to the opera | |
| 2 | 12 | Braking Promises | Maxi is angry when Roary is offered his spare tyre warmers overnight | |
| 2 | 13 | Secret Treasures | Roary, Tin Top and Drifter head to the beach to find buried treasure | |
| 2 | 40 | It's Go Go Go at Silver Hatch | A commentator (Murray Walker) is invited to reporton a stunt display by the cars, but he has other ideas, and confesses he has always dreamed of racing himself | |
| 2 | 43 | Demolition Derby | Roary keeps crashing into things, and Big Chris tries to help him focus his energy into something productive | |
| 2 | 44 | Manners Please | Farmer Green and FB are nervous about going to Mama Mia's garden party, so James and the other cars teach them how best to behave at the event | |
| 2 | 45 | Crash Landing | Hellie has trouble getting airborne again after making an emergency landing | |
| 2 | 46 | Plugger's New Job | James breaks down, causing Mama Mia to ask Plugger to drive her around, but when the pair have fun together, the out-of-action chauffeur begins to get jealous | |
| 2 | 48 | Silver Hatch Fun Run | Big Chris is undecided about taking part in a fun run, so Roary and Plugger try to make sure he trains for it without realising | |
| 2 | 49 | Silver Hatch Heroes | A film director visits Silver Hatch to record his new movie | |
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| 3 | 01 | Roary on Thin Ice | Roary tries to warn everyone about ice on the track at Silver Hatch | |
| 3 | 02 | Drifter's Last Day | The little car worries that Drifter is to be taken to the scrapheap | |
| 3 | 03 | Out of Juice | Big Chris takes delivery of special rainwater to make the cars run more smoothly | |
| 3 | 04 | Roary's Wake Up Call | Farmer Green has problems getting up in the morning, so Roary finds a way to help | |
| 3 | 05 | Big Chris Says Sorry | Big Chris thinks Marsha is cross with him after he corrects a mistake made by Mrs Carburettor | |
| 3 | 06 | Maxi's New Engine | Maxi's engine needs to be rebuilt | |
| 3 | 07 | Busy Day for Big Chris | Big Chris struggles to find time to relax because every time he sits down, someone wants his help | |
| 3 | 08 | Tin Top Gets Scared | Flash decides to play a mischievous trick on Tin Top | |
| 3 | 09 | Roary Loses a Friend | Big Chris accidentally throws away Roary's lucky teddy, and sets out to retrieve it before it reaches the rubbish dump | |
| 3 | 10 | Spooky Forest | Maxi tricks the friends into thinking the forest is haunted | |
| 3 | 11 | FB in the Fast Lane | FB the flatbed truck competes against Maxi at the racetrack - with disastrous results | |
| 3 | 12 | Roary Goes Back to School | Roary heads back to school to brush up on his safety skills | |
| 3 | 13 | The Rabbit That Yelled Stop | Flash challenges Roary to take part in a race | |
| 3 | 14 | Cici Gets Fired Up | Silver Hatch suffers a fuel crisis, so everyone relies on solar-powered Cici | |
| 3 | 15 | Stars and Cars | Big Chris is invited to sing karaoke on TV | |
| 3 | 16 | Crash Test Roary | ||
| 3 | 17 | Roary Sees Red | ||
| 3 | 18 | Rusty Takes a Trip | The cheerful racing car and his friends plan a surprise for Rusty | |
| 3 | 19 | Roary Cleans Up His Act | The colourful car tackles a water shortage at Silver Hatch to make sure the gang are ready for an important photo shoot | |
| 3 | 20 | Green Eyed Roary | Maxi chooses Cici as his training partner | |
| 3 | 21 | Big Chris Forgets | Marsha celebrates her birthday, but Big Chris forgets all about the occasion | |
| 3 | 22 | Big Chris Babysits | The mechanic looks after Roary and Cici, but it seems he's the one who needs babysitting | |
| 3 | 23 | Roary and Nigel | Roary brings Nigel the crab back to the track from the beach | |
| 3 | 50 | Roary Gets It Wrong | Farmer Green asks the little car to deliver parcels around the track | |
| 3 | 51 | Computer Calamity | Mr Carburettor announces he wants to move with the times and be more modern | |
| 3 | 52 | Roary Digs Deep | Roary faces his demons when he races against Maxi | |
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| 4 | 01 | Cici Spectacular | Roary tries to ease Cici's nerves when Farmer Green asks her to perform one of her stunts in front of a big crowd | |
| 4 | 04 | Tall Story Roary | Silver Hatch's loudspeaker system breaks, just as Roary is about to perform a dangerous stunt | |
| 4 | 05 | Hot Stuff | The cars go on a day trip to the beach | |
| 4 | 06 | Car Boot Sale | Big Chris tries to get rid of his junk at Farmer Green's car boot sale | |
| 4 | 07 | Testing Time for Maxi | PCs Pete and Nick visit Silver Hatch to give the cars their road tests | |
| 4 | 09 | Flash's Tea Party | Flash invites everyone for afternoon tea, but forgets to tell them each to bring a dish | |
| 4 | 11 | Hellie's a Winner | Hellie is accused of cheating when he joins the cars on the track | |
| 4 | 12 | Cry Cold | Big Chris catches a cold, and enjoys being fussed over so much that he decides not to tell everyone when he starts to feel better | |
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| 5 | 04 | Simply The Best | Plugger rescues Molecom, and Roary tries to beat his best lap time | |
| 5 | 09 | How the Hatch Was Won | Big Chris tries to cheer up a homesick Tin Top, but someone is causing trouble on the track |