A misfire from David Cronenberg, best known for his excellent body horror films, whereas this is a staid and sedate car racing drama. It's saddled with dull young leads, stereotypical sex interest blondes, and cult stars John Saxon and William Smith doing the best with the thin characters they're given. No evidence of Cronenberg's prowess elsewhere here, and the whole thing is largely tiresome.

The famous drag racer Lonnie 'Lucky Man' Johnson (William Smith) is the star of the Fast Company, managed by the corrupt Phil Adamson (John Saxon) Lonnie is the mentor of the promising funny car racer Billy 'The Kid' Brocker (Nicholas Campbell). When Adamson makes a deal with Lonnie's competitor Gary 'The Blacksmith' Black (Cedric Smith),he takes the funny car from Lonnie and Billy. But they decide to steal the car and run independently in the next race. But Adamson intends to use any means to stop Loonie.

"Fast Company" is an incredibly dull film by David Cronenberg. The film is indicated only for fans of this great director that want to know his complete filmography and fans of drag racing. This film is the last one for the gorgeous Claudia Jennings that ironically died in a car accident in the same year. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Escuderia do Poder" ("Motor-Racing Team of the Power")

An unlikely David Cronenberg movie dealing with spare car parts rather than body parts. We enter the world of North American strip drag racing and soft country rock music.

This is a straightforward B movie with some below standard acting. It also has a rare sympathetic role from William Smith then more famous as the hissable Falconetti from Rich Man Poor Man.

Smith plays veteran drag racer Lonnie 'Lucky Man' Johnson the main draw for his racing team. The team managed by slimy Phil Adamson (John Saxon) does not want the team to win at any costs, just compete effectively and sell cans of FastCo oil.

Lonnie mentors up and coming racer Billy 'The Kid' Brocker (Nicholas Campbell.) Adamson sees an opportunity to dump Lonnie and sign a rival, at the same time use dirty tricks to make Lonnie look that his best days are behind him.

Cronenberg delivers a racing film with a grinding fuel injected noise and grime as Lonnie and the Kid do their own thing and stand up against corporate boot lickers. The film is a romp with the racers partying with bare naked ladies but also putting their lives on the line.

There is nothing here that spells out Cronenberg and all the better for it in some ways as it shows the evolution of a young promising auteur.