''Race for Glory'' (also known as ''American Built'') is a 1989 American

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...

directed by Rocky Lang. The film stars

Alex McArthur Alex McArthur (born March 6, 1957) is an American actor. Early life and education He was born in Telford, Pennsylvania, the son of Bruce, a contractor, and Dolores McArthur. He studied acting at De Anza College and San Jose State University, ...

Peter Berg Peter Berg (born March 11, 1964) is an American director, producer, writer, and actor. His directorial film works include the black comedy ''Very Bad Things'' (1998), the action comedy ''The Rundown'' (2003), the sports drama '' Friday Night Lig ...

, Pamela Ludwig,

Ray Wise Raymond Herbert Wise (born August 20, 1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Leland Palmer in ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991, 2017) and its prequel film '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'' (1992), Vice President Hal Gardner i ...

Oliver Stritzel Oliver Stritzel (born 9 March 1957) is a German actor who specializes in dubbing. Roles Acting roles *''Das Boot'' (1981) – Schwalle *' (1982) – Krause *''Bolero'' (1983) *'' Moving Targets'' (1984) – Zorro *''Tango im Bauch'' (1985 ...

and Barbara Blossom in the lead roles. The score was composed by Jay Ferguson.

Plot

Dirt track racer Cody Gifford along with his best friend and crew chief Chris Washburn, and girlfriend Jenny Eastman, have built a 500cc

superbike A sport bike (sports motorcycle, or sports bike) is a motorcycle designed and optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on asphalt concrete race tracks and roads. They are mainly designed for performance at the expense of comfor ...

in their garage. They take it to the American qualifiers, Despite his bike falling over, he keeps up with two-time German world champion Klaus Kroeter on a factory Samurai, until Gifford and Kroeter crash. After Gifford sets a faster time than Kroeter at the Czechoslovakian time trials, the Belgian Grand Prix begins. Kroeter wins ahead of Mike Baldwin, Wayne Gardner, and Gifford, who finishes fourth. After this, Gifford accepts an offer to become Kroeter's teammate at Samurai where he is to be a blocker, leaving his friends behind. After Kroeter wins Yugoslavia ahead of Eddie Lawson and Gifford, Kroeter wins Germany ahead of Gifford and Ron Haslam. The Austrian Grand Prix begins. Kroeter takes the lead with Gifford and Italian rider Lalo Giacomo right behind. Kroeter causes Gifford and Giacomo to crash. Giacomo gets hit in the leg by Eddie Lawson and ends up with a broken leg. Gifford quits and returns home only to find that his father, Joe, has died. Joe's last letter says he wanted Cody to win the Grand Prix. Gifford then reunites with his friends and girlfriend to rebuild the bike. The French Grand Prix then begins. After several bikes overheat, Gifford is in second, right behind Kroeter. Kroeter's engine blows up on the last turn and Gifford wins, followed by Mike Baldwin, Wayne Gardner, Eddie Lawson, Randy Mamola, and Kroeter, who finishes sixth. Gifford is the new champion and he, Cody, Jenny, and their new hiree (Fujimoto) celebrate.

Cast

as Cody Gifford *

as Chris Washburn * Pamela Ludwig as Jenny Eastman *

* Barbara Blossom * Steve Carlisle * Takashi Kawahara * Jerome Dempsey * Scott J. Fisher

References

External links

* * American action films American auto racing films Motorcycle racing films 1989 films 1989 action films 1980s English-language films 1980s American films English-language action films {{1980s-action-film-stub