Drive Hard

Former racing champion Peter Roberts (played by) has traded in his need for speed for a more sedate life, at least that's what he tells himself as he struggles to find purpose beyond the tracks. His wife, a shrewd lawyer, had been urging him to hang up his driving gloves and take up a 9-to-5 desk job, but Roberts' restless spirit yearns for something more. As an instructor at a driving school, he's able to scratch that itch while waiting for the perfect opportunity to open his own racing academy.

However, Roberts' plans are put on hold when he learns he can no longer afford his daughter's private school tuition. Desperate for a solution, he takes on Simon Keller (played by) as his first client at the driving school. Unbeknownst to Roberts, Keller has been digging into his personal and financial life, leaving him feeling uneasy.

As they head out for their lesson, Keller reveals that he's discovered some troubling truths about Roberts' past. Despite Roberts' protests, Keller insists on stopping by the bank before continuing with the drive. But instead of making a withdrawal, Keller opens fire on the guards, tosses a bag into Roberts' car, and demands that he become his getaway driver.

Roberts is stunned, refusing to believe what's happening as he tries to surrender to the authorities. However, the police respond with gunfire, and Roberts finds himself in a desperate bid for freedom. As they evade capture, Keller offers Roberts a share of their loot, but the shaken Roberts refuses, fearing they'll both end up behind bars.

Keller reassures him that the police won't pursue them, citing his connections to a criminal syndicate with ties to the local law enforcement. This revelation sends Roberts' world spinning as he grapples with the reality of his situation. Little does he know, Keller's former associate, Rossi (played by), had previously betrayed him in the United States and now works for the same syndicate.

As tensions escalate, Agent Walker of the Australian Federal Police takes charge of the investigation, much to the dismay of corrupt Detective Chief Inspector Smith. Walker quickly threatens both men, suspecting them of being part of the syndicate. Meanwhile, Keller and Roberts engage in a heated debate about Roberts' disappointment with his life, which Keller attributes to giving up on his dreams.

Feeling betrayed, Roberts refuses to drive further, prompting Keller to shoot him with a rubber bullet. The two make a hasty exit, switching cars as they continue their high-stakes game of cat and mouse. As Roberts becomes the reluctant driver once again, he's forced to confront the consequences of his actions and the uncertain fate that awaits them both.

As the fugitives slip away from Rossi's deadly pursuit, their getaway vehicle falters, leaving them no choice but to seek refuge in a lavish reception hall. Unbeknownst to them, the proprietors are well-acquainted with Roberts' (actor name) persona, and an elderly woman's ire is piqued after accidentally shooting her husband. In the ensuing chaos, Roberts and Keller escape into the night, commandeering the injured man's sleek sports car and stopping at a gas station for much-needed refueling. However, their anonymity is short-lived as they're again recognized and set upon by hostile forces. The cashier's ill-fated attempt to defend himself with his own shotgun only adds to the mayhem.

As Roberts' anxiety reaches a boiling point, Keller takes it upon himself to heighten the tension by placing a gun to Roberts' head, threatening to end his life unless he cooperates. In a desperate bid to prove his sincerity, Roberts momentarily holds Keller at gunpoint with an elderly woman's pistol, only to realize it's empty and surrender. With their differences temporarily set aside, the two reluctantly accept their fates as they make their way to Keller's final destination – a tranquil marina.

The journey proves arduous, as Roberts' attempts to antagonize a biker gang only serve to enrage them, putting him in mortal danger. Keller's timely intervention saves his life, and during the ensuing confrontation, the bikers reveal themselves to be mercenaries hired by none other than Rossi himself. As the two engage their foes, they're met with yet another surprise: the arrival of DCI Smith, who finds himself on the wrong end of Agent Walker's self-defense.

Meanwhile, at the marina, Roberts and Keller combine forces to take down the remaining mercenaries, while also dealing with the unexpected appearance of Rossi. In a tense standoff, the authorities finally believe Roberts' outlandish tale, and he's reunited with his family, who've come to respect him in spite of his ordeal. Though his wife remains disapproving, she ultimately acquiesces to his return to professional racing, marking a new chapter in their lives.