Wacky Races (1968)
Synopsis
Wacky Races is an animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera that originally aired in 1968. The show is a parody of traditional car races, featuring a variety of eccentric characters and their outlandish vehicles, all racing across different terrains in a madcap competition for first place. The series is centered around a group of 11 racers, each with their own unique vehicle and distinct personality. The main characters include Dick Dastardly and his dog Muttley, who are always trying to cheat and sabotage the other competitors, although they never succeed. Other notable racers include Penelope Pitstop, the glamorous but tough driver; the adventurous Red Max; and the lovable duo, the Slag Brothers, who drive a massive, rock-like car.
Network
CBS
Episodes
See-Saw to Arkansas
On their way to Mustard Spread Arkansas, all the racers get caught up. Penelope Pistop & Ant Hill Mob get lost. Dick Dastardly falls and sinks into mud. Everyone else gets caught up in traffic.
Creepy Trip to Lemon Twist
On their way to Lemon Twist Nevada, the Wacky Racers run into a deserted town and wonder into a bar where they find ghosts.
Why Oh Why Wyoming
The Wacky Racers roar across the desert, dashing toward Rock Springs, Wyo. Meanwhile, Dick Dastardly teams up with Indian chief Crazy Buffalo in an attempt to stop the racers in their tracks.
Beat the Clock to Yellow Rock
On their way to Yellow Rock, the racers are stopped by a ranger to search for missing bears hiding in their trunks. Blubber Bear is mistaken for a runaway so Luke tries hiding him until he gets past the ranger. A bunch of bears take over the Ant Hill Mob and Dick Dastardly's cars.
Mish Mash Missouri Dash
Dick Dastardly dresses up as a Southener. Luke finds his cousin Elmer.
Idaho a Go Go
The racers embark on a lap to a little town in Idaho, while Dastardly tries to entrap Penelope Pitstop with a "Little Red Riding Hood" ploy.
The Baja-Ha-Ha Race
In Mexico, Dick Dastardly and Muttley try to slow the other drivers by using a herd of cow-shaped balloons to block the road.
Real Gone Ape
Dick Dastardly hypnotizes a gorilla to stop the other racers. The other racers find away around him and again Dick Dastardly finishes last.
Scout Scatter
The Anthill Mob disguises themselves as Wood Scouts to evade the police.
Free Wheeling to Wheeling
On their way to Wheeling, WV, Dick Dastardly uses construction cars (bulldozer, steamroller, a crane) to stop the racers.
By Rollercoaster to Upsan Downs
Dick Dastardly leads the racers into an abandoned amusement park on their way to Upsan Downs.
The Speedy Arkansas Traveller
On their way to Noah's Ark, AK, Dick Dastardly leads the racers into the War Games right in th middle of the race.
The Zippy Mississippi Race
The Wacky Races gang competes in The Zippy Mississippi Race, a wild river race filled with gators, whirlpools, and outrageous antics. As racers like Miss Magnolia, The Gator Brothers, and Professor Paddle speed down the river, the scheming Dastardly Duke tries every dirty trick to take the lead. Boats get stuck in trees, hovercrafts malfunction, and gumbo geysers cause chaos, but in an unexpected twist, Lazy Louie drifts across the finish line first—completely unaware he was even racing. While the others fume over their losses, Dastardly Duke ends up foiled by his own tricks once again.
Traffic Jambalaya
The Wacky Races crew takes on the Traffic Jambalaya, a chaotic race through the bustling, maze-like streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras! With colorful floats, parades, jazz bands, and a sea of costumed revelers blocking the way, the racers must find creative (and often ridiculous) ways to navigate the gridlocked city. Dastardly Duke attempts to clear his path with a giant fan, only to send himself flying into a gumbo stand, while Miss Magnolia gracefully maneuvers through the madness without spilling her tea. As shortcuts through alleyways, rooftops, and even a steamboat fail spectacularly, it’s The Gator Brothers & The Bayou Bullet who unexpectedly take the win—thanks to a sneaky detour through the sewers!
Hot Race at Chillicothe
Heading to Chillicothe, OH, Dick Dastardly steals a Police car. The Anthill Mob disguises themselves as a little league baseball team and play Baseball against Dick Dastardly and Muttley.
The Wrong Lumber Race
Dick Dastardly uses trees, logs, and saws to win the race.
Rhode Island Road Race
Dick Dastardly desperatedly tries to win this race and almost does. He tries a construction site detour, Subway station, Hot sauce, and expanding his wheels.
The Great Cold Rush Race
Dick Dastardly dresses up as a snow monster to scare everyone away.
Wacky Race to Ripsaw
Today, the Wacky Racers are zooming up the track from Elbowgrease, Ohio to Ripsaw, Arkansas.
Oils Well That Ends Well
The next race sees the racers wending their wacky way westward from Oilcan, Oklahoma to Greasegun, Texas.
Whizzin' to Washington
The Wacky Racers pass by with a thunderous hue and cry on their way to Washington.
The Dipsy Doodle Desert Derby
From downtown Death Valley to uptown Doomstown, the Wacky Racers compete in the Desert Derby - trying to get a fraction of traction in the sand.
Eeny, Miny Missouri Go!
Clear the road, step aside and watch those Wacky Racers ride all the way to Eeny Meeny, Missouri.
The Super Silly Swamp Sprint
The next race takes place from Sandy Soda Springs to Squishy Squash City.
The Dopey Dakota Derby
The Wacky Racers roar out of Cactus City on the way to Gopher Gulch in the Badlands. Dick Dastardly tries to hold up the Wacky Racers, disguising himself as the same outlaw that he sees on a "Wanted" poster.
Dash to Delaware
Through the valley and over the dale, the Wacky Racers hit the trail to far off Wott-Will, Delaware. Dick Dastardly sprays cake icing on the road in front of a bakery. Penelope Pitstop and Peter Perfect's cars slide into the bakery, and Penelope and Peter end up dressed as a bride and groom on top of a big wedding cake.
Speeding for Smogland
Today, we find the Wacky Racers speeding through the mountains toward Jollywood, California.
Race Rally to Raleigh
Roaring down the highway, the Wacky Racers relentlessly roll along to the finish line at Raleigh.
Ballpoint, Penn. or Bust!
The cars are strung out on the first lap of today's Wacky Race, with the finish line in far-off Ballpoint, Pennsylvania.
Fast Track to Hackensack
The racers hurtle toward their next destination in Hackensack.
The Ski Resort Road Race
Today's Wacky Racers are slipping and sliding through ski resort country from Mush-Mush, Michigan to Iceandsnow, Idaho.
Overseas Hi-Way Race
Today, our Wacky Race takes place over water, as our Wacky Racers are island-hopping in Florida on their way from Key Largo to Key West.
Race to Racine
There they go on another wild and wacky race to Racine. Early race favourites include Professor Pat Pending, the Gruesome Twosome, and Rock and Gravel.
The Carlsbad or Bust Bash
And here they are, folks, warming up their cars for the hottest race ever to Carlsbad. Early race favourites include Penelope Pitstop and the Red Max.
Cast
Details
Original Title
Wacky Races
Status
Ended
Seasons
1
Episodes
34
Production
Merrill Heatter-Bob Quigley Productions, Hanna-Barbera Cartoons
