Any fans of Pixar Cars who happen to be around Kansas City should make their way down to Crown Center today when the “Agents on a Mission” tour sponsored by State Farm Insurance hits downtown KC – complete with life-size remote control models of Lightning McQueen, Mater and new character Finn McMissile. If you’re not in KC don’t worry, the tour will run through June, hitting cities throughout North America and racing through the red-carpet premiere in Los Angeles before wrapping up in San Francisco and Sonoma, CA. More pics and info after the jump.
COMES TO KANSAS CITY ON MARCH 24
Star Racecar Lightning McQueen, Lovable Tow Truck Mater and
Master British Spy Finn McMissile Race Across North America to Celebrate
Disney•Pixar’s Big-Screen Adventure “Cars 2”
WHAT – Presented by State Farm, the “Agents on a Mission” tour hits the road with Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2” this spring when four-time Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen and best friend Mater join master British spy Finn McMissile—life-size remote-controlled models that race around, light up and rev for fans.
ACTIVITIES – State Farm brings Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2” adventure directly to fans with the “Agents on a Mission” tour. Visitors can check out the cars and take part in a variety of “Cars 2”-themed activities, including a video kiosk, e-photo opportunities, games and giveaways. They can also enter the “Agents on a Mission” sweepstakes, which features 18,000 prizes, including a new car.
ABOUT THE MOVIE – Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix. But the road to the championship is filled with surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine). Directed by John Lasseter and produced by Denise Ream, the fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters, Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2” hits the track on June 24, 2011.
ABOUT The TOUR – The tour will run through June, hitting cities throughout North America and racing through the red-carpet premiere in Los Angeles, and wrapping up in San Francisco and Sonoma. For more information about the movie, the tour and a list of cities, check out Disney.com/cars.
FOR MORE INFORMATION – For more information about the movie, visit Disney.com/cars, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/pixarcars, and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar. For more information about State Farm and the “Agents on a Mission” promotion, like State Farm on Facebook: facebook.com/statefarm or follow State Farm on Twitter: twitter.com/statefarm.
SIZE MATTERS – The replica cars are the largest production radio-controlled replica cars ever built.
• At 1000 foot pounds of torque – the electric motors provide enough power to theoretically climb a telephone pole!
• Finn weighs in around 1,760 lbs.
• Lightning McQueen weighs in around 2,250 lbs.
• Mater weighs in at just over 2,700 lbs.
ART IN MOTION — Because of the unique scale of these vehicles, all the exterior pieces had to be fabricated from scratch. No actual “off- the-shelf” car parts could be used. The sculpting process for each vehicle’s body took 6-10 days, totaling 1000-1600 man hours. After the cars were carved in foam, a fiberglass mold was created, and from that the final bodies were produced.
• The chassis for the cars are Model-T replica frames.
• Mater is hand-painted, using a proprietary system that creates real rust on his cab and bed.
• Because the cars had to reflect the designs of the film’s characters, the control systems (switches, lights etc.) had to be built into the various parts of the car. These have been hidden from view.
FILL ‘ER UP — The cars are all electric powered. Each runs on four automotive-style batteries at 48 volts and can run for 30 minutes at full speed.
NO SPEEDING ZONE — The cars can travel up to 10 miles per hour.
REV IT UP — The engine sounds and exhaust sounds are recreated through a 200-watt sound system under the hood.
• The cars are controlled by a high-tech radio-control system normally used for high-end RC hobby cars.
TRICKY TIRES – Lightning McQueen’s tires are one of a kind due to their unique size and were fabricated by Goodyear specifically for the “Agents on a Mission” tour.
• Lightning McQueen is so low to the ground that he needs specially designed ramps to get over even the smallest bumps.
YOU’VE GOT THE LOOK — There are three sets of eyes that are held to the windshield by magnets. The fiberglass windshield is imbedded with iron filings which attracts the magnetic eyes.