Well, the folks at Disney - Pixar certainly hope that you remember these two animated autos. Given that -- come the Summer of 2011 -- they're going to be starring in "Cars 2" which will (according to the press release, anyway) send McQueen & Mater "around the globe" to "a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades" where they'll then "take on the globe's fastest and finest." The only problem is 2011 is quite a ways away. So -- to keep the "Cars" franchise fresh in our hearts 'til then -- the Disney Interactive Media Group has just created The World of Cars Online, a new virtual world that's currently in "Test Track" mode. They have also created some silly shorts here is the second installment.."Mater the Greater", this tow truck reveals that he was once a world-famous daredevil who persuaded Lightning McQueen to take part in his most dangerous stunt. Now what's particularly nice about these new "Cars Toons" interstitials is that they're not being produced by Pixar's B-team. John Lasseter himself had a hand in the creation of "Mater's Tall Tales." Working with Victor Navone, Rob Gibbs and Kori Rae, Lasseter made sure that these interstitials -- as crazy as they may seem -- were still a consistent part of the "Cars" universe. In fact, if you're paying close attention, you can catch quick cameo appearances by characters from the first "Cars" movie, like Mia & Tia, the twin Miatas.

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