[Disc News] Vinegar Syndrome is sending us an angel with the 4K/Blu-ray release of the 1986 BMX film ‘RAD’

Preston Barta // Features Editor

RAD (1986)

Rated PG, 91 minutes.
Director: Hal Needham
Cast: Bill Allen, Lori Loughlin, Laura Jacoby, Bart Conner, Jack Weston, Talia Shire, Alfie Wise, H.B. Haggerty, and Ray Walston

You no longer just have to go “ass sliding” or engage in a bicycle ballet with your sweetheart to become a member of Rad Racing. (If you haven’t seen the gnarly 1986 BMX racing film RAD, starring the great Bill Allen and Lori Loughlin, this will all make sense soon enough.)

American home distribution company Vinegar Syndrome and Utopia Distribution will providing a fast track to coolness by releasing the cult classic movie on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD for first time in May. They also will have a subsequent theatrical release (if the COVID-19 restrictions settle down) this summer.

Directed by director Hal Needham (BAD NEWS BEARS, SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT), RAD is the adventure of one young man’s desire to win a BMX race fittingly called Helltrack. The film was set to premiere earlier this week in slick presentation glory at the South by Southwest Film Festival. But due to coronavirus concerns, it was unable to show for Austin audiences.

Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long! Vinegar Syndrome is holding an exclusive pre-order for the film this weekend at VinegarSyndrome.com, between March 27 and 29.

The disc release is primed to be a notable piece of shelf jewelry. The special edition 3D lenticular and holographic slipcover (designed by Earl Kess and based on the original poster artwork) is a limited release. Once it sells out, that’s it. Vinegar Syndrome will not be repressing the title in any format. The pre-order listing will be open until Vinegar Syndrome’s Halfway to Black Friday sale on May 22.

So, round up some couch pennies and head on over to VinegarSyndrome.com today. With its far-out music tracks and ’80s charm and cheddar, this is a restoration that you don’t want to miss!

Official Trailer: