Speed Racer Enterprises has inked four new licensing agreements for the classic property and has kick-started the budding merch program for the new 26 x 30-minute animated series, Speed Racer: The Next Generation, bowing on Nicktoons Network in 2008.

Southpole/Lot 29, a division of Wicked Fashions, has signed on to produce t-shirts, polo, tank tops, jerseys, novelty tops, jackets, vests, jeans, shorts, overalls, sportswear and headwear for both the classic series and new version. The company will launch apparel for the classic Speed Racer in November.

Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, has been tapped to publish novels based on the original series, and will produce a total of six books that will start to roll out in early 2008. IDW Publishing, meanwhile, has snapped up the license for both series for comic books and trade paperbacks, including reprints of older material. The rollout will begin Q1 2008.

Finally, Trends International will be manufacturing 2009 calendars for the classic property, slated to hit shelves in Q3 2008.