The LEGO Racers theme which was introduced in 2001 was the successor of LEGO Race. Since the theme started, most race cars in LEGO System and TECHNIC universe have been released under the LEGO Racers theme. Racers was discontinued in 2012 and it was succeeded by Speed Champions, introduced in 2015.
2004 LEGO Sets
In 2004, LEGO underwent a major shakeup as it worked to recover from record losses in 2003. This year saw significant changes in product strategy, color design, and partnerships, all of which played a role in LEGO’s long-term turnaround. One of the most controversial changes was the replacement of several long-standing LEGO colors, including gray, dark gray, brown, and violet, with newer, more vibrant shades. This shift also included the introduction of light nougat, which became the standard skin tone for many licensed minifigures.