Speed Smith, the Hot Rod King #1

In "Rules of the Road All Over the World," Jo encounters a series of bizarre and unexpected traffic customs while traveling through different countries, from Sweden’s speed-limit-free roads to Paris’s mid-road taxi stands and Poland’s sound-based traffic signals. Each locale presents a new rule that challenges his usual driving habits, reminding him that even the most basic road etiquette varies wildly across the globe.

Speed Smith and his mechanic Hank Harrigan take a kind-hearted detour to help an elderly man named Roscoe Roarback and his granddaughter Eve, unaware that Roscoe is a notorious con artist with a flair for theft. When Roscoe vanishes after placing a high-stakes bet using Speed’s new triple fuel setup, the duo must track him down before he pulls another scheme—especially after the stolen invention starts powering a rival racer in the big race.

When a train crash leaves Judy Grandon critically injured and the town’s medical supplies depleted, the outlawed hot-rodders of Elmville step up in a daring rescue, racing their modified cars to fetch life-saving plasma from distant hospitals—proving their worth when the community needs them most. Though once condemned by the press and police, their actions turn the tide, earning them respect and a surprising new role in the town’s future.

Speed Smith and his mechanic Hank Harrigan arrive at a shabby, suspicious race track run by the crooked Lippy Lipton, who tries to cheat them out of a promised race and prize money. Despite a dangerous course and sabotage, Speed races through the chaos, wins, and exposes the track’s fraud—only to chase down Lippy when he flees with the prize money.

After being dismissed as a "meathead" by Joan, mocked by his teacher, and fired from his job, Mel Tork proves his worth when a stranded Rick Wilton—Joan’s wealthy uncle—relies on Mel’s customized hot rod to make a critical business meeting. With time running out and the odds against him, Mel’s skill and passion for cars shine as he delivers Wilton to the city in record time, earning unexpected respect and a chance at a new future.