Cars 2(5)

“Lightning McQueen is afraid of Francesco!” Francesco said, smiling. “This is understandable.”

“Francesco Bernoulli,” Sally said, admiring the Italian race car. “No wonder there’s a crowd.”

“How do you know his name? And don’t say it like that: Francessssco,” Lightning said, pouting. “It’s three syllables, not ten!”

“What?” Sally said, still staring at the TV screen. “He’s nice to look at—open-wheeled and all.”

But Mater wasn’t done with Francesco yet. “Lightning could drive circles around you!”

“Mel, can we move on?” The arrogant Francesco rudely interrupted Mater. “Francesco needs a caller who can provide a little more intellectual stimulation. Like a dump truck.”

Now, that upset Lightning. The national racing champion headed to the phone.

“This is Lightning McQueen,” Lightning said over the phone. “Look, I don’t appreciate my best friend being insulted.”

“Lightning, that was your best friend?” Francesco laughed. “This is the difference between you and Francesco. Francesco knows he is superior to others. He does not need to surround himself with bumpkins to prove it.”

“Those are strong words from such a fragile car!” Lightning countered.

The conversation got more and more heated until Sir Miles Axlerod interrupted.

“This sounds like something that needs to be settled on the course,” Sir Miles said. “What do you say, Lightning? I’ve got room for one more racer.”

Lightning paused. He had let his pit crew go on vacation. He couldn’t race without them! Suddenly, he looked around the room. He had a pit crew right there: Fillmore, Sarge, Luigi, and Guido.

“Yeah,” Lightning announced to Axlerod and all the TV viewers around the world. “I’m in!”

Lightning turned to Sally. “I know,” he apologized. “But we won’t be long, and—”

“Don’t worry about me.” Sally stopped him gently. “But you’re bringing Mater, right?” Then she added, “Just let him sit in the pits, give him a headset—thrill of a lifetime for him.” She knew how much this would mean to Mater—and Lightning would need a good friend to support him in this big competition.

Lightning paused. Mater rolled over to them, bringing their drinks.

“How’d you like to come see the world with me?” Lightning asked Mater.

“Oh, yeah. They owe me a lot of vacation time,” Mater replied, then let out a shriek of joy. “I’m in!” he shouted.





Lightning’s new pit crew worked day and night to get him ready for the race. Ramone even gave him a new paint job with some special airbrushing. The finishing touch was a set of blinding new headlights. The World Grand Prix would not be run on traditional racetracks. The cars would race through city streets and countryside in Tokyo, Japan; Porto Corsa, Italy; and London, England. Lightning would need lights to race.

Of course, Guido and Luigi gave him new tires and packed several extra sets.

It wasn’t long before Mater, Lightning, and his Radiator Springs pit crew rolled onto an airplane. They were on their way to Japan. Tokyo was the first leg of the three-part World Grand Prix race.

Mater enjoyed the free snacks and videos on the plane, but they were nothing compared to the bright and colorful lights of Tokyo. As they left the Tokyo airport, Mater was amazed by the city. He wanted to see and do everything.

As soon as they arrived in the heart of the city, Team Lightning McQueen went to see kabuki theater and sumo wrestling. Mater even joined in the fun by wearing kabuki face paint.

Later, they attended an official prerace party hosted by Sir Miles Axlerod. Lightning McQueen rolled up on the red carpet as the media cars crowded around for pictures. Mater had never seen anything like it in his life.

The party was held in an ultramodern museum with a huge indoor waterfall. All the car-racing greats were there, including Francesco.

“Mater, I’m so glad you got me into this thing,” Lightning said as he spotted some of his racing friends.

“Me too, buddy!” Mater’s eyes grew wide as he looked around at the fancy party. “Hey, what’s that?” Mater started to drive away.

“No! Mater!” Lightning shouted too late. He was hoping desperately to keep his friend by his side. The rusty tow truck was not used to life outside Radiator Springs. He was bound to get into some sort of trouble.

But one of Lightning’s racing pals pulled him into a conversation as Mater wandered off. A minute later, as they were talking, Lightning realized that a number of partygoers were looking at Mater and giggling.