Roary the Racing Car (stylised as ROARY: The Racing Car) is a British-American stop-motion children's television series created by David Jenkins and produced by Chapman Entertainment and Cosgrove Hall Films. It follows the adventures of Roary and his racing car friends at Silver Hatch race track.
Plot
The series follows the lives and adventures of five racing vehicles, Roary, Maxi, Cici, Drifter, Tin Top, and the people who they work for, Big Chris the Mechanic, Marsha the Race Marshall and the owner of the racetrack, Mr. Carburettor.
Setting
Roary the Racing Car is set around a fictional motor racing circuit called Silver Hatch (a portmanteau of the names of the two British Grand Prix racing circuits, Silverstone and Brands Hatch). The majority of the action takes place at the track's pits and workshop, although we often follow the cars on their laps around the track. Occasionally, the characters venture to external locations such as the nearby beach.
Narration
Every story begins and ends with some brief narration normally from racing car driver Sir Stirling Moss, who is also used as a voiceover. The US version is narrated by American stock car driver Sam Hornish Jr.
Race cars
Roary (voiced by Maria Darling) is a red Formula Ford car who is the titular character of the show with the mindset of a schoolboy and a heart of gold. He has a healthy rivalry with Maxi and the two of them are often at odds frequently, but they do show that they care for each other and will often hang out together. Roary is only young and inexperienced at racing, but is constantly learning things from his friends and fellow racers. He sometimes gets into trouble over something, but he always makes up for it. He is very intelligent, friend to everyone around him and eager to learn. He's both best friends with and boyfriend of Cici.
Maxi (voiced by Marc Silk) is a yellow Italian Formula One car who is very hot-tempered and is obsessed with winning. He is very arrogant and snooty, often only thinking about himself. He is Mr. Carburettor's favourite race car at Silver Hatch and thinks very highly of himself. He has a healthy rivalry with Roary and the two of them often fight over who is the star car. He occasionally bullies and belittles Roary, but does show that he cares for him deep down. He is sometimes irresponsible and reckless, occasionally doing stunts that are harmful and risky. He loves to show off.
Cici (voiced by Maria Darling) is a pink and purple French rally car who is very bubbly and friendly. Her name is Zizzy in the US dub.
Drifter (voiced by Marc Silk) is an orange drift car. His name is Dragga in the US dub. He speaks with a Japanese accent.
Tin Top (voiced by Peter Kay in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) is a dark blue American stock car who is very accident prone.
Humans
Big Chris (voiced by Peter Kay in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) is the mechanic of Silver Hatch who is slightly absent-minded.
Marsha (voiced by Maria Darling) is the racing marshal of Silver Hatch. She waves the flag when the race begins, and also is the one who takes calls from her workstation.
Mr. Antonio Carburettor (voiced by Tim Whitnall in the UK and Martin P. Robinson in the US) is the flamboyant owner of Silver Hatch who speaks with an Italian accent. He loves to sing opera.
Side Vehicles
Plugger (voiced by Tim Whitnall) is an aqua blue Mitsubishi L200 tow truck. His name is Lugga in the US dub.
FB (voiced by Dominic Frisby) is a green second generation Ford F-Series pickup truck who is Farmer Green's main vehicle. His name is Trucksy in the US dub.
Zippee is an orange Vespa motor scooter who is Marsha's main vehicle.
Rusty (voiced by Dominic Frisby) is an old caravan that Big Chris lives in.
Breeze (voiced by Maria Darling) is a turquoise Meyers Manx buggy who lives at the beach and is one of Roary’s girlfriends.
Hellie (voiced by Marc Silk) is a red, purple and yellow helicopter.
Loada (voiced by Dominic Frisby in the UK and Phil Lollar in the US) is a dark orange and light green race car transporter lorry that transports and delivers packages to Silver Hatch. He speaks with an Eastern European accent.
James (voiced by Dominic Frisby) is a silver Aston Martin DB5 convertible who is Mamma Mia's main vehicle.
Nick (voiced by Marc Silk) is a blue and orange Lamborghini Gallardo police car who is the main vehicle of PC Pete.
Conrod (voiced by Craig Lowndes) is a silver and red Team Vodafone liveried Ford Falcon V8 Supercar. He speaks with an Australian accent.
Humans
Farmer Green (voiced by Tim Whitnall) is a farmer who is very humble and slightly messy. The Silver Hatch racing crew often visit his farm to buy produce.
PC Pete (voiced by Dominic Frisby) is a police officer who is Marsha's brother. His name is Officer Pete in North America.
"Mamma" Mia Carburettor (voiced by Maria Darling in the UK and Nicole Oliver in the US) is Mr. Carburettor's mother. She is very prim and proper.
Big Christine (voiced by Peter Kay in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) is Big Chris' mother who loves dancing.
Animals
Flash (voiced by Marc Silk) is an anthropomorphic rabbit who likes to cause trouble on the racetrack. His name is Furzz in the US dub.
Molecom (voiced by Dominic Frisby) is an anthropomorphic mole who wears glasses. He is a skilled mechanic and banjo player.
Dinkie (voiced by Marc Silk) is an old donkey who lives on Farmer Green's farm.