About 3 weeks ago Mattel Canada launched a new interactive contest called “License 2 Play.” Players will be challenged to solve mysteries around “The Hot Wheels 6″, a ring of fictional car thieves for the chance to win fabulous weekly and monthly prizes featuring Hot Wheels cars and licensed products and most importantly, earning their License 2 Play.

Dads are also encouraged to play online with their kids for the chance to win a brand new car of their choice (to a maximum value of $45,000) and a trunk full of Hot Wheels toys valued at $2,000.

Hot Wheels fans can keep up-to-date on the latest Licence 2 Play contest challenges, news and events by downloading the Hot Wheels widget.

This event is part of Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary and began on April 15th. Collectors can take advantage of this fun contest for the next 6 months.

As stated previously, there will be quite a few sneak peeks of all the great diecast to be had at the Summer Smash later this year - but, who knew they would be coming out at such a rapid pace! Check out these shots of some cool customs that will be available to collectors who attend.

In addition to these hot customs, Rhode Island Hot Wheels Club President has announced that Dave Chang of Kustom City will be in attendance at the Smash! Dave will be one of the judges at the custom contest and will bring a few surprises as well. Don’t miss your chance to meet Dave in person - register today!

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

With Summer Smash just 4 months away, collectors can look forward to upcoming sneek peeks of the many event car to be acquired in August. This first peek is certainly an amazing addition to the ticket holder goodie bag!

One of these ultra-limited edition Make-A-Wish Foundation Corvettes will go to the first 500 ticket holders. Until Summer Smash, these pieces have only been given away by Make-A-Wish for special occasions, and its forbidden to put them up for resale. This means that attending Summer Smash might just be the only way a collector can ever get their hands on one. Have you purchased your ticket yet..?!

Rhode Island Hot Wheels Club President, Jim Lombari has also revealed that about 100 Liberty Promotion Rebel Runs will be mixed into the Summer Smash Drag Bus to be given out at registration to the ticket holders - Awesome! Stay tuned for additional information and more Summer Smash sneak peeks as the event gets closer!

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

Now that the Hot Wheels Nationals are over, collectors with enough coin to cover the flight to Japan will be able to snag some great souvenir cars at the 2008 Hot Wheels Custom Car Show in Osaka on May 24th & 25th. This year’s castings are the 1955 Chevy Panel and the 1967 Chevy Camaro. Over on HOTWHEELSCOLLECTORS.COM, Airland is reporting that the cars will be priced at about $36 (U.S. dollars) each, but unless you can be there to buy them in person, expect to pay MUCH more than than in the secondary market. A small sample of the castings are shown below, and you can also check out the e-sheets on the official car show site.

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

Last week, I posted a video featuring GM car designer Amaury Diaz-Serrano speaking about the opportunity he was given to design “The Chevrolator” for Mattel. This week, Amaury gives collectors a quick tour of his diecast room - otherwise known as the “Man Cave!” Enjoy!

[via vimeo.com]

There’s a diecast racing storm brewing here in the northeast and YOU are invited to participate! Here’s the scoop straight from Rhode Island Hot Wheels Club President, Jim Lombari:

As you all know, here in Rhode Island we love to race. Well, it was always my belief that Hot Wheels were faster than any other diecast company - until now. Another member of the RLC Club is my friend Hatchit who took a laser wheel Datsun by Matchbox and has become public enemy number 1 of the downhill race world. This car has been turning times in the 3.7’s which is faster than any other stock car we’ve seen on the 50ft speedway, and has proven itself on the shorter tracks as well.

I’ve put out a challenge for anyone who can break this Matchbox curse. I am offering a healthy cash prize plus a Rhode Island Club car by Liberty Promotions for anyone who can take this car out. I also encourage Mattel to step up with a prize just to save the face of the Hot Wheels brand.

We will take any car that can break the 3.8 time and face this animal to a best out of 3 race.

If you think you have what it takes, post a picture of your car here and send it to the Rhode Island Hot WHeels Club, PO Box 19167, Johnston, RI 02919. Your car will be returned or crushed depending on what you prefer. If you win, you will be rewarded with honors. There is no time limit. We will race until we take out Hatchit and his evil Datsun. Good luck and don’t be shy - we need to save our brand! Good luck and always have fun!

Are you up for the challenge..? Here are some shots of the Datsun and a few of its upcoming challengers:

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

First he landed his dream job at General Motors, and then Amaury Diaz-Serrano was asked to do something he’s fantasized about since he was 8 years old - design a Hot Wheels car. His model - The Chevroletor- ended up being a big winner in a Hot Wheels competition. Find out more about the tiny toy that’s a huge hit.

[via vimeo.com]