Asterix and the Chariot Race

Asterix and the Chariot Race
Date	November 2, 2017
Main Characters	Asterix (character), Obelix
Writer	Jean-Yves Ferri
Artist	Artists
Original Publication
Issue number	37
Date of Publication	November 2, 2017
Language	French
Translation
Publisher	Orion Children's Books
Date	November 2, 2017
Translator	Adriana Hunter
Chronology
Preceded by	Asterix and the Missing Scroll

Asterix and the Chariot Race (French: Astérix et la Transitalique, "Asterix and the Trans-Italic") is the 37th book in the Asterix series, and the third to be written by Jean-Yves Ferri and illustrated by Didier Conrad. The book is to be released worldwide in more than 20 languages on 19 October 2017 with an initial print run of 5 million copies.

Much of the action takes place in Ancient Italy, where Asterix and Obelix meet the original inhabitants of the Italian peninsula: the Italics. Like the Gauls, the Italics are seeking to keep independent from Rome.

Plot

Responding to criticism of the “deplorable” condition of Roman roads in the regions, Senator Lactus Bifidus proposes a chariot race across the Italic Peninsula to showcase the “excellent” roads. The race is open to all people of the known world. Julius Caesar endorses the race but insists that a Roman must win for the sake of unity across the Italic Peninsula.

In Gaul, Asterix and Obelix are taking Geriatrix to a dentist at a market in Darioritum, when a sibyl predicts Obelix will become a champion charioteer. Obelix then buys a sports chariot on credit, quits his menhir business and joins the trans-Italic race, accompanied by Asterix and Dogmatix. Over the course of the race, they encounter a range of competitors from other lands, as well as the people and cuisines of Ancient Italy.

Only five teams manage to complete the race, with the two Gauls narrow victors. Weary of the frantic pace of chariot racing, Obelix gives the trophy to Asterix, who hands it over to the Kushite team, who in turn give it to the Sarmatians. The trophy ends up with the perennially late Lusitanian team, who request the equivalent in sesterces. Obelix then declares he wants to return home and resume making menhirs.

Competitors

Team	Drivers	Chariot motif	Result	Additional information
Gauls	Obelix and Asterix	Gallic rooster	1st - Winners	Horses stolen from Romans in return for four menhirs. Victors.
Bretons	Madmax and Ecotax	Lions	Retired	Chariot sabotaged on leaving Parma.
Lusitanians	Bitovamess and Undaduress	Fish	5th	Although always late due to chariot maintenance, and despite finishing fifth, they end up with the trophy.
Kushites	Princesses Nefersaynefer and Kweenlatifer	Cheetah hieroglyph	2nd	Zebras pull their chariot. Kweenlatifer falls in love with Dogmatix.
Romans	Coronavirus and Bacillus; Julius Caesar	Aquila	Retired	The favorite, Coronavirus (real name Testus Terone), quits the race upon learning his co-driver cheated. Replaced by Julius Caesar, who almost wins but is immobilized by a pot-hole.
Pirates	Redbeard and Lookout	Jolly roger	Retired	They sink in marshes of Venexia.
Cimbri	Zerogluten and Betakaroten	Moose skull and antlers	Retired	Slaves of Bifidus, they sabotage many other chariots. Eliminated when Obelix crushes their chariot.
Sarmatians	Tekaloadov and Wotaloadov	Bear	3rd
Greeks	Yudabos and Attalos	Golden fleece	4th
Normans	Skinnidecaf and Gamefralaf	Shields	Retired	Quit the race because homesick due to good weather and civilization.
Persians	Unnamed	Bull	Retired	Eliminated due to sabotage.

There are several other teams, including a Belgian named Outinthastix and his compatriot, two competitors who resemble Hells Angels, two Goths in a wolf-motif chariot, as well as Helvetians, Ligurians, Etruscans, and Calabrians.