The role models are also based on Dick Dastardy and Muttley from the TV series “Wacky Races” in 1968. The gremlin Lumpy is very similar to the dog Muttley, but a bit more active. From the Norwegian movie “Flåklypa Grand Prix” in 1975 (The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix), we have the villain Rudolf Blodstrupmoen and his assistant Mysil Bergsprekken.
 
Rudolf and Dick have the same moustache as Sacks, who in turn came from the villain Professor Fate and his assistant Maximilian Meen in the movie “The Great Race” in 1965.
 
Sacks Roamer is just the clichéd villain from any entertainment about racing, and he plays his role very well with Lumpy.

@bigladiesman  
Ugh, I didn’t even notice that! And me a Fu Manchu fan, too. Thanks for catching it and pointing it out.
 
I do like the ‘magician’ look to him. I womder if that’s a reference to Rohmer’s membership in the Golden Dawn?

Why does it look like Maud though?

“I stole their oldest artifact, a yodeling Maud statue!”

Sacks Roamer, Sax Rohmer… I think I love this pun.