FAQ for
Death Race (2008) More at IMDbPro »

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags have been used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for Death Race can be found here.

Death Race is a remake of the 1975 film Death Race 2000 with a new script written by English director Paul W.S. Anderson. It is not based on the 1976 arcade game Death Race, which was inspired by the 1975 film.

No, but he does do the voice-over for Frankenstein, who he played in the original, "Death Race 2000".

It isn't exactly stated when Death race takes place. It is stated in the prologue that in 2012 the economy collapsed and that before Death Race there were Gladiator type battles. So it can be assumed that it is at least a decade after the Cage Fights started which was probably around 2015, so we can assume this takes place in 2025.

Jensen Ames: Ford Mustang

Grimm: Chrysler 300C

14K: 1988 Porsche 911

Colt: Jaguar XJS

Riggins: Buick Riviera 'boat-tail' (early 1970's)

Carson: Pontiac Trans AM

Siad: BMW 7 Series (E32)

Pachenko: 1966 Buick Riviera (chop top)

Machine Gun Joe: Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Pickup

& "The Dreadnought" is a Peterbilt Tractor with a modified tanker trailer

The electric kill switches are in the weapons. So all they do is deactivate the weapons so they can't use them to escape.

In the DVD commentary, Paul W.S. Anderson describes the original concept as a "reimagining" of Paul Bartel's Death Race 2000, so in that sense it's a remake. However, David Carradine's voice cameo as Frankenstein at the beginning of the film suggests that it could also be seen as a sequel. Anderson also says that when he was making the film, he thought of it as a prequel to Death Race 2000, showing how the Death Race began in a prison before it went on to become the cross-country race seen in Bartel's film. However, the film can't literally be a prequel since it takes place an indeterminate time after 2012 and Death Race 2000 is set in (of course) 2000.

"Warmest regards, your monster."

The R-rated theatrical version was not cut to obtain the rating. The unrated edition extends some fights and action scenes and runs more than 4 minutes longer. A detailed comparison between both versions can be found here.