By Mel Dorado
Reporting from Tokyo, Japan
Number 95 Lightning McQueen is still a hotshot racecar, but his rookie days are past him. Now a permanent resident of Radiator Springs, Lightning has become a bona fide worldwide celebrity as winner of four Piston Cups.
After his latest win, Lightning’s off-season is unexpectedly cut short when his best friend Mater, a rusty tow truck, inadvertently prompts Lightning to enter the World Grand Prix by calling into my show, “The Mel Dorado Show.” Lightning invites Mater to come along to the races as a member of his pit crew, and Mater leaves Carburetor County for the first time.
So Lightning McQueen, how do you feel about your friend Mater here getting you involved in the World Grand Prix?
Lightning McQueen: I couldn’t be more excited. I mean, come on: I get to race against the greatest champions in the world with my best buddy at my side.
(Lightning looks around puzzled.) Was right here at my side. Mater?
(Mater arrives, licking his lips.)
Mater: Mmm-mmm. Free food just tastes better, I’ll tell you what.
Mater, I understand you’re part of the Team Lightning McQueen pit crew for these races?
Mater: Yeah, Guido and Luigi are doing his tires, Fillmore’s on the fuel, Sarge is keeping an eye on some other stuff. And I… shoot, what is my job anyway?
Lightning: Uh, well —
Mater: It’s so important he can’t say it publicly.
Lightning, there are some worthy competitors, like Francesco Bernoulli and Lewis Hamilton. How do you feel about your chances?
Lightning: I leave the handicapping up to you guys, Mel. I just go out there, race hard, leave everyone in the dust. Hopefully.
But these tracks are really different than the Piston Cup ovals.
Lightning: I see where you’re going with this, Mel. Listen, if I can “turn right to go left” I can definitely turn right to go right. Right?
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Mater, this is your first time overseas. What have you seen and experienced since your arrival in Tokyo?
Mater: I thought Radiator Springs had a lot of neon but dadgum this place has us beat, I’ll tell you what! Plus everyone here treats me like a king – bowing and stuff when I enter a room. And sumo wrestling? Where’s that been hiding my whole life? I saw a Kabuki show, which I didn’t fall asleep in, and then tonight I ate some bad pistachio ice cream, met a Pacer and a Gremlin in the craziest bathroom you ever seen and then got asked on a date by the most beautiful car in the whole world! Just an average Tuesday for Mater.
Mel Dorado got his start in broadcasting in the late 1970s as an assistant at WCNC, World Car News Chicago. With 14 Golden Fender awards and “The Mel Dorado Show” now in syndication, the Caddy with the golden touch is showing no signs of breaking down.
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