Universal are putting pedal to the metal on a second sequel to “Death Race”.

Based on the initial worldwide reception to “Death Race 2″ (releasing in most territories over the next few weeks) the studio’s home entertainment division has put “Death Race 3″ into development, Moviehole confirmed today.

Though “Death Race 2″ takes place before the events of the 2008 film (it itself a remake of an old Roger Corman movie) it’s not yet known when on the timeline the new film takes place.

“Death Race 2″, directed by Roel Reine, stars Luke Goss as Convicted cop-killer Carl Lucas, a grizzled convict who arrives on Terminal Island to serve his life sentence just as ruthlessly ambitious television personality September Jones launches the ultimate reality show, Death Race.

Reviews for the film have been generally positive across the board with most critics singling out the amazing action sequences and impressive support cast (Danny Trejo, Sean Bean and Ving Rhames play parts).

Robin Shou (14k) and Frederick Koehler (Lists) appear in both “Death Race” and “Death Race 2″ so there’s the possibility that they might also return for the new film. One imagines we will see a new hero though.

More on “Death Race 3″ as we hear it.