Robot Racer is a friction motor or pull-back windup series of robot toys that can be changed into vehicles.
They were given away free at ESSO gas stations with a required fuel purcahse in the UK, Europe and Canada. While it's likely Robot Racer toys were also released in the United States it's yet to be confirmed.
The figure models were copied from the Japanese toy lines Magic Robo and Change Robo by Maruka Toys; examples below. Change Robo followed Magic Robo and introduced the models not based on a the pickup design. Model numbering for Change Robo followed on from Magic Robo however character numbering was reset to 1; eg. the first model for Change Robo was M06 while the character number is 1.
While unconfirmed, it's likely they were released under valid license as both the cardbacks and figures state they were made in Japan as per the original Maruka Toys figures and not reproduced unofficially elsewhere.
The cardback front art shows differing colour schemes and rear of card photos reflect some versions of the original Japanese selection not released by ESSO.
Change Robo, Magic Robo and Robot Racer packaging both bear model numbers, however matching numbers between the lines appears to be coincidental rather than planned.
Robot Racer figures #1 Liftor, #3 Dromo, #5 Commander Van and #8 Pro-Ton are essentially the same model with differing carry tray sections and stickers.
Some cardbacks include circular, punched hanging holes while others are not punched at all.
Region Codes Used: UK United Kindgon / EU Europe / CA CANADA
NOTE: Region codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete.
Robot Racer #1 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Magic Robo 2 / M02 JP Maruka Toys
Liftor's vehicle mode is based on a Toyota Hilux pickup / utility with a small crane on the tray.
The flywheel powered friction motor drives the figure in both modes and when running fast enough, flint sparks fly from a hole near the motor.
Front on Liftor is visually the same as Dromo, Command Van and Pro-Ton bar the stickers.
A slight anomaly in toy numbering exists between this model and Mixer Robot. The illustration art of Mixer Robot on its packaging shows 'M02' on the character's leg, however the box numbering lists it as '3' and the model number is 'M03'.
Robot Racer #2 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Change Robo JP Maruka Toys
Mighty-Man's vehicle mode is based on a Mazda RX7.
The spring powered, pull-back windup motor drives the figure forward in both robot and alt modes. Mighty-Man does not include the flint sparking feature included with Liftor, Dromo, Commander Van and Pro-Ton.
Robot Racer #3 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Magic Robo 3 / M03 JP Maruka Toys
Front on Dromo is visually the same as Liftor, Commander Van and Pro-Ton bar the stickers.
Dromo's vehicle mode is based on a Toyota Hilux pickup / utility with a small cement mixer on the tray.
The flywheel powered friction motor drives the figure in both modes and when running fast enough, flint sparks fly from a hole near the motor.
Front on Dromo is visually the same as Liftor, Command Van and Pro-Ton bar the stickers.
The Maruka Magic Robo Model Number was M03
While unconfirmed it's likely both versions were released for the Magic Robo line.
A slight anomaly in toy numbering exists between this model and Crane Robot. The illustration art of Mixer Robot on its packaging shows 'M02' on the character's leg, however the box numbering lists it as '3' and the model number is 'M03'.
Robot Racer #4 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Change Robo JP Maruka Toys
Surf-Finder's vehicle mode is based on a Volkswagen Type 1 / Beetle
The spring powered, pull-back windup motor drives the figure forward in both robot and alt modes. Surf-Finder does not include the flint sparking feature included with Liftor, Dromo, Commander Van and Pro-Ton.
Robot Racer #5 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Magic Robo 4 / M04 Maruka Toys
Command Van's vehicle mode is based on a Toyota Hilux pickup / utility with a covered missile payload in the tray.
The flywheel powered friction motor drives the figure in both modes and when running fast enough, flint sparks fly from a hole near the motor.
Front on Command Van is visually the same as Liftor, Dromo and Pro-Ton bar the stickers.
Robot Racer #6 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Change Robo 2 / M06 JP Maruka Toys
Wagon Master's vehicle mode is based on a Honda City Turbo.
The spring powered, pull-back windup motor drives the figure in forward in vehicle mode only. Wagon Master does not include the flint sparking feature included with Liftor, Dromo, Commander Van and Pro-Ton.
The Maruka Change Robo Model Number is M06 while the Change Robo number is 2.
Robot Racer #7 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Change Robot JP Maruka Toys
The Maruka Magic Robo version windscreen sticker text is 'Fairlady Z' while both Fairlady Z and Excellor stickered versions appeared on Robot Racer cards; this could be regionally based.
Excellor's vehicle mode is based on a Nissan 300ZX.
The spring powered, pull-back windup motor drives the figure in forward in vehicle mode only. Excellor does not include the flint sparking feature included with Liftor, Dromo, Commander Van and Pro-Ton.
Robot Racer #8 UK/EU/CA ESSO 1985
Magic Robo Change Robo 1 / M01 JP Maruka Toys
Pro-Ton's vehicle mode is based on a Toyota Hilux pickup / utility.
The flywheel powered friction motor drives the figure in both modes and when running fast enough, flint sparks fly from a hole near the motor.
Front on Pro-Ton is visually the same as Liftor, Dromo and Command Van bar the stickers.
