Racing film speeds to number one

2 Fast 2 Furious has become a multicultural hit

Street racing film sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious has gone straight to the top of the United States box office chart.

It knocked underwater animation Finding Nemo off the summit, one week after the cartoon scored the most successful ever opening for an animation.

2 Fast 2 Furious has become a hit despite the loss of actor Vin Diesel, who was the star of 2001's original, The Fast and the Furious.

The sequel took more than $52m (£31.3m) at US and Canadian box offices between Friday and Sunday, according to initial studio estimates.

It is about an undercover cop who has to infiltrate an illegal racing gang in Miami and has no A-list stars.

NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE

1. 2 Fast 2 Furious

2. Finding Nemo

3. Bruce Almighty

4. The Italian Job

5. The Matrix Reloaded

Source: Exhibitor Relations

"The cars are the stars," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for film studio Universal.

The action movie has been a hit with young people, with 75% of its audience aged under 25.

It has also appealed across ethnic groups, with Hispanics making up 38% of the ticket buyers and black fans making up 16%.

Finding Nemo, about a young fish who goes missing from home, is in second place, taking $45.8m (£27.5m) over the weekend.

That followed its opening weekend total of $70m - the highest ever for an animation.

Jim Carrey's comedy Bruce Almighty was in third, taking $21.7m (£13m) over the weekend, taking its total to $170m (£102m).