Washington  - The street-racing action sequel Fast and Furious opened in first place over the weekend at the North American box office and set a record in the process, according to studio ticket sales estimates.

The picture, which stars Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in the fourth instalment of The Fast and the Furious films, brought in 72.5 million dollars from Friday through Sunday in the United States and Canada, according to the estimates released Sunday night.

The amount was the highest opening for any film in 2009 and blew the doors off the previous record three-day opening in April of 42.3 million dollars, set in 2003 by Anger Management. (dpa)