As Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2 prepares to speed into theaters on Friday, June 24, Toys”R”Us® stores are helping kids join the “Race Around the World” by creating the ultimate Cars 2-inspired “racetrack” boutiques in nearly 1,300 toy stores across the globe. Beginning June 1, United States fans can jump behind the wheel in-store and online at Toysrus.com/Cars2 to find these “racetracks” which offer the largest assortment of Cars 2 toys, including wood and diecast replicas of Cars characters, R/C vehicles, construction sets, playsets, musical instruments and electronic devices, including special Cars 2 product lines that are available exclusively at Toys”R”Us stores worldwide. Cars 2 “racetracks” will also open in Toys”R”Us stores internationally, coinciding with the movie’s release in each respective country.

“With its unique blend of humor, spy-themed fun and unforgettable new characters, we anticipate that Cars 2 will capture the imaginations of kids and parents who want to bring home the adventure from this animated feature film,” said Karen Dodge, Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, U.S. “Toys”R”Us is the ultimate destination for the broadest and most differentiated selection of toys based on characters from Cars 2, including Lightning McQueen and Mater.”

“Since Cars first rolled into theaters, kids and kids at heart have sought Cars-inspired toys to recreate favorite scenes from the films and deepen their relationship with favorite characters,” said Vince Klaseus, senior vice president, Global Toys, Disney Consumer Products. “From classic wood track sets and collectible diecast cars to customized vehicles and construction sets, Toys”R”Us boasts an expansive Cars 2 toy line with extensive variety including innovative, exclusive items that offer something for everyone.”

Toys”R”Us Stores in the United States Start Their Engines

Now at the starting line, Cars 2 has received dedicated space at the front of every Toys”R”Us store in the United States. Inviting kids to join a “Race Around the World,” just like in the film, each “racetrack” features images of new characters introduced in this epic adventure alongside Lightning McQueen and his best friend, Mater. New international characters also make an appearance in displays at Toys”R”Us stores, including Francesco Bernoulli, an Italian Formula Racer champion; Raoul ÇaRoule, known as the “World’s Greatest Rally Car” from France; Nigel Gearsley, a cool, refined racer from England; Jeff Gorvette, a great American racecar; and Shu Todoroki, a Le Motor Prototype from Japan. Fans should also note that Toys”R”Us stores nationwide will receive regular shipments of new Cars 2 merchandise throughout the year. The company’s international flagship store, Toys”R”Us Times Square, also features a dedicated “racetrack” near the store’s main entrance on 44th Street and Broadway to showcase Cars 2 products.

In the weeks leading up to the film’s June 24 theatrical release in the United States, Toys”R”Us is kicking into overdrive with deals on a variety of Cars 2 toys, games and more. Taking first position, customers who purchase $25 worth of Cars and Cars 2 merchandise from Sunday, June 19 to Saturday, June 25 will receive $10 in complimentary Cars 2 movie cash, while supplies last. For additional details, customers should check the company’s newspaper circulars. Cars 2 fans will also be treated to additional special promotions at Toys”R”Us stores throughout the year.

Taking A Road Trip To Babies”R”Us®

As part of the Cars 2 celebration, Babies”R”Us stores in the United States are now showcasing a carefully selected assortment of Cars 2 merchandise geared toward younger children. Featured in Cars 2 “racetracks,” the collection focuses on bedding, feeding, bath time and more featuring Cars 2 characters. Additionally, the “racetracks” include Cars 2 playthings for the tiniest of tikes, such as the Cars 2 Imaginext® line from Fisher-Price®.

Hitting the Digital Road

To help prepare kids and collectors for the theatrical arrival of Cars 2, Toysrus.com/Cars2 has become an online destination for all things related to Cars 2-inspired products. Beyond offering a broad assortment of Cars 2 toys and games, the site also features content that race fans crave, including videos highlighting the hottest Cars 2 products.

“Race Around The World” – Driving Toward Toys”R”Us Stores Across the Globe

As Cars 2 opens in theaters internationally, Toys”R”Us stores around the world will also celebrate the film’s arrival with dedicated “racetracks.” These special shops in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and additional countries will offer special product lines available only at Toys”R”Us stores worldwide, including the Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Wood Collection, Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Color Changers™, the Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Imaginext® toy line from Fisher Price®, and a special line of Disney-Pixar Cars 2 RIDEMAKERZ only available at Toys”R”Us.

Fueling Up with Exclusive Products

In addition to the broadest assortment of toys based on Cars 2, kids will find dozens of unique Cars 2 items available exclusively at Toys”R”Us stores and online at Toysrus.com/Cars2. Selected highlights of the differentiated Cars 2 product line, including examples from the unique lines available only in Toys”R”Us stores around the world, include:

Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Wood Collection Rainbow Bridge from Toys”R”Us

The Cars Wood Collection expands to include the world of Cars 2 with new characters and two new playsets, including the Rainbow Bridge from Japan. Kids can speed through the first leg of the World Grand Prix with the Tokyo Rainbow Bridge playset, complete with a colorful light sequence that activates as Lightning McQueen races over the bridge. The set comes complete with the illuminating Tokyo Rainbow Bridge, two ascending wooden track pieces, two wooden ramp pieces and a World Grand Prix Lightning McQueen vehicle. 3 AG13 batteries required (included). Ages 3 years and up.

Disney-Pixar Cars 2 RIDEMAKERZ Starter Kit from RIDEMAKERZ, LLC

Now kids can pretend they’re running Ramone’s Paint and Body Art Store as they trick out their favorite Cars 2 characters, including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Finn McMissile and Francesco Bernoulli. The starter kit comes with everything kids need to begin customizing their favorite characters, including a body, four tires, a spoiler and more. Additional parts are sold separately, allowing fans to build their dream machine. No batteries required. Ages 4 years and up.

Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Color Changers™ Color Splash Speedway from Mattel®

Color Changers lets kids give their favorite Cars characters new paint jobs by running them through warm or icy cold water. Just in time for a super-secret spy mission, racers can create the ultimate disguise by changing their colors as they speed through this circular, double lane track set. Kids can zoom the Finn McMissile car (included) around the track before dunking him in a pool of water for a full paint job, or they can jump through the water tower for a customized look. And don’t forget you can spin dry before driving off to your next mission.  No batteries required. Ages 3 years and up.

Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Imaginext™ Mater’s Spy Garage from Fisher-Price®

Imaginext® brings the world of Cars to younger kids with bigger pieces that can easily fit into small hands. Junior spies can find out what secrets are stored in Mater’s garage with this two-sided set that comes with everyone’s favorite tow truck. First, kids can drive Mater over the “tire scanner” to open the garage door before revealing a world of gear, including pop-up binoculars and snap-on spy equipment, as well as a working vehicle lift, elevator and crane. No batteries required. Ages 3 – 8 years.

Disney-Pixar Cars Power Wheels™ Mater from Fisher-Price®

Kids can jump behind the wheel of one of their favorite Cars characters with this battery-powered version of Mater. Featuring English and Spanish phrases, Mater springs to life allowing children to drive up to 2 MPH, forward and in reverse, on grass and pavement. Additionally, a single push-button operation and wide door openings make the vehicle accessible for toddlers. 6V battery required (included). Ages 12 – 36 months.

Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Mater Golf from Hasbro® Games

Golf fans can bring mini golf indoors and putt around with Mater with this all-in-one golf set. Players sink their shot underneath Mater, using the two included golf clubs and golf balls, and then Mater sends the balls back for the next hole. Keeping score is easy with a point counter on the putter, and the clubs snap into the game for easy storage when play time is done. Now kids can “Git-R-Done” with a hole in one! No batteries required. Ages 3 years and up.

Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Tokyo International Circuit from LEGO® Systems, Inc.

Building toward race time has never been more fun than with this LEGO set that lets children construct one of the signature speedways of Cars 2. Based on the pit area of the Tokyo International Circuit, the set comes with 842 pieces that can build three pit areas and the starting line area, as well as eight cars, including the World Grand Prix Lightning McQueen, Francesco Bernoulli and Japanese racer, Shu Todoroki. No batteries required. Ages 8 – 12 years.

Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2 (in U.S. theaters June 24, 2011)

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