13

THE RACE GOES ON

Cruncher Block was flying through the clouds in his plane. He gazed out the window at the ground far below and grinned.

“Now we should have no more trouble,” he said.

Then a radio signal cut in.

“This is the Mammoth Car calling Cruncher Block,” came a voice over the radio. “Did you get rid of those kids? We’re running right on schedule. ”

Cruncher Block went to the window again. Through the clouds, down on the road beneath the plane, he could see the long Mammoth Car speeding along the highway. It was a red blur, steadily moving toward the finish line as planned.

“Yes. They won’t be bothering us ever again,” Cruncher Block boomed into the radio. “You finish that race, and then we’ll meet you at the boat.”

The plane picked up speed and swooped away from the road, heading for the pier where Cruncher Block’s boat was waiting.

Meanwhile, Speed and Trixie were making good time on the road. They were back in the No-Limit World Race, keeping their eyes peeled for the Mammoth Car in the distance. They hoped they could still catch up.

They raced all day and all through the night in the Mach 5, and they passed the ocean just as the sun was rising over the water.

Spritle and Chim Chim were riding comfortably in the Mach 5’s trunk. They opened the trunk to peek out at the sky as the sun came up. “Morning!” Spritle said to Chim Chim. “It looks like it’s going to be a great day.”

Chim Chim gazed at the sun and hooted his agreement.

The Mach 5 raced over sandy beaches and down seaside roads. It could win this race yet.