Hot Rods and Racing Cars #84

Rick Roberts' father Bill ignores a dire family warning to race in the 1936 French Grand Prix, unaware of a gypsy curse that has haunted the Roberts family for three decades—a curse that manifests as a black cat appearing exactly 30 years apart to strike down each generation of racers. As Bill guides his powerful Auto Union through the competition, his superstitious father watches from the sidelines, convinced that today marks the fulfillment of the second part of an ancient vendetta. With the race underway and fate seemingly working against him, Bill must navigate both the track and forces beyond his control.

Two mountain boys out for shotgun shells find themselves caught in a high-speed chase with a sheriff, leading to a court fine and an unexpected showdown at the local drag strip. When the city kids challenge them to settle their differences on the asphalt instead of with their fists, Herm and his brother get a chance to prove their Chevy—and their driving skills—against a souped-up Plymouth. A wild day turns into a new friendship and plans for more racing to come.

An eleven-year-old Clint Curtis faces off against Gary Golden, the "Golden Boy," in a soap box derby showdown where a coin flip decides everything. When Gary resorts to dirty tricks on the track, Clint must navigate both the race and a troubling question: is his rival truly the cheat everyone believes him to be, or is there more to the story? This continuation of Clint's first racing memory explores what it means to see past first impressions in the heat of competition.