This Transformers Car Doesn't Actually Transform, Just Races

The Transformers movie franchise holds plenty of eye-candy for car fans, what with all those Camaros and big-rig trucks turning into giant robots from outer space. This one doesn't turn into anything, though, except – maybe – into a winner.

It's a Radical RXC wearing the sponsorship livery of the Transformers brand, unveiled by Dawson Racing at the HasCon fan fair in Providence, Rhode Island, this week. And while it's not the finished product, it previews a new LMP2 prototype that the joint D3+Transformers Racing team will enter into the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship starting next season.

"We are very pleased to collaborate with D3 and the Dawson family to be part of this exciting racing program," said Tom Warner, head of the Transformers franchise at Hasbro.

"We're always looking for innovative ways to be more than meets the eye and connect Transformers with families and fans of all ages. We are excited to team up with a first-class racing team and series with a brand that has a natural fit for cars and fans of all ages."

Father-son duo Ian and Simon Dawson have yet to decide which of the four sanctioned LMP2 chassis they'll run, so they're displaying the Radical in the meantime. More details are set to be announced at Road Atlanta next month during the Petit Le Mans. After that, they'll be on the grid together with the popular action movie and toy franchise for at least three years.

"From the minute we met the Hasbro people, we knew this was the partner we were looking for to introduce D3 to the world through their immensely popular Transformers line," said Ian Dawson.

"I have been working on giving new opportunities to young drivers and engineers who are looking for a way to progress their talents in motorsport and with Simon's commercial awareness and interest in the business we developed a vision."

Ian Dawson is a veteran racing engineer who once served as Mario Andretti's chief mechanic at Lotus. His son Simon is a former professional tennis player and more recently served for six years as sponsorship manager for the Risi Competizione team that fields Ferraris in the IMSA series. With their combined talents and Hasbro sponsorship behind them, the team ought to prove an interesting addition to the grid for the next few seasons.

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