Sonic X Shadow Generations: That Time Sonic Went Racing
Sonic X Shadow Generations: That Time Sonic Went Racing
The competition never stood a chance…
As mentioned in last week’s update on the Sonic X Shadow: Generations statues, production is wrapping up with shipment to the LRG facilities expected to take place in November. While we await further updates, let’s look at the time Sonic and SEGA took the Formula 1 world by storm.
We all know Sonic Racing is a fun and popular title, but the Blue Blur may have honed his racing skills with some of the world’s best racers.
Just two years after Sonic the Hedgehog was released on the SEGA Genesis, the Blue Blur and SEGA appeared on the Williams Formula 1 car driven by Alain Prost and Damon Hill. In a new partnership with the England-based team, SEGA and Sonic began to show up on the cars’ liveries for the 1993 season.
What resulted were some iconic promotional shots of Prost, Hill, and Sonic, showing off the livery (where you can see Sonic’s feet as if he were driving the car), playing SEGA Game Gears and having fun.
As if a full season on the Williams teammates cars weren’t enough, SEGA sponsored the 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England.
The track was covered in SEGA branding, there were inflatable Sonic’s in the air, Sonic mascots walking the track, grid girls wearing the iconic Blue Blur look, replay screens made to look like a SEGA Game Gear set up around the track, and the winner’s trophy featured Sonic.
In true Sonic fashion, Prost and Hill started the race first and second in their Sonic-themed cars, but it was F1 great Ayrton Senna that did his best Sonic impression that day, dominating the competition. The McLaren team still proudly shows off the trophy in its headquarters.
One of the most iconic trophies in the history of Formula One 🏆🏁 The Legendary @SEGA @sonic_hedgehog trophy from the 1993 Formula One European Grand Prix, also known as the XXXVIII Sega European Grand Prix. 🎮 #SennaSempre
— McLaren F1 Sim Racing Team (@MCLF1SimRacing) March 21, 2024
Prost and Hill had to settle for second and third place, but the day’s real winner SEGA and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Maybe that’s where the Blue Blur learned all his racing tricks. The competition never stood a chance.