Scrapheap Challenge is an engineering game show produced by RDF Media and broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK. In the show, teams of contestants have 10 hours, in which to build a working machine that can do a specific task, using materials available in a scrapheap. The format has been exported to the United States, where it is known as Junkyard Wars, presumably because while American TV audiences do not like to be challenged, they are nevertheless quite fond of wars. (The US show is also produced by RDF Media, and is shown on The Learning Channel.)
A typical episode will feature a competition between two 4-person teams, each consisting of three regular members, plus an expert in that field. The judge for each episode will typically be a specialist in (non-scrap) versions of the machine being constructed.
The challenges are many and varied, usually involving teams constructing a machine to achieve a particular objective. The final showdown usually consists of either head to head races or individually run timed events. Examples of challenges include making a jet car, a bridging machine, a car-crusher, or a machine to fling a mini as far as possible.
The idea for the show came from a scene in the movie Apollo 13, where NASA engineers had only a short period of time to construct an air filter out of parts available on the space capsule. The show also draws its inspiration on the 1980s TV series 'The Great Egg Race'.
Details of individual series
Scrapheap Challenge (UK)
The UK show is presented by Robert Llewellyn, joined in series 2-5 by Cathy Rogers, and in series 6 onwards by Lisa Rogers (no relation). Series 1 was titled Scrapheap, and pitted the same two teams against each other each week. From series 2, the show was renamed Scrapheap Challenge - a knockout championship between teams drawn from the general public. From series 3, a champion of champions was initiated
- Series 1 (1998) - The series was tied 3-3
- Series 2 (1999) - Winners: Megalomaniacs
- Series 3 (2000) - Winners: Brothers in Arms; Champion of Champions: Megalomaniacs
- Series 4 (2001) - Winners: Cat-alysts; Champion of Champions: Cat-alysts
- Series 5 (2002) - Winners: Barley Pickers; Champion of Champions: Cat-alysts
- Series 6 (2003) - Winners: The Destroyers; Champion of Champions: Cat-alysts
- Series 7 (2004) - Winners: Anoraks; Champion of Champions: Anoraks
Junkyard Wars (USA)
The US show is presented by George Gray and Tyler Harcott (series 2-5), joined by Cathy Rogers (series 1-3) and Karyn Bryant (series 4-5)
- Series 1 (2001) - Winners: Long Brothers
- Series 2 (2001) - Winners: Miami Gearheads
- Series 3 (2002) - Winners: The Pit Crew
- Series 4 (2002) - Winners: Kentucky Fried Family
- Series 5 (2003) - Winners: Jet Doctors
Junkyard Mega-Wars (USA)
For the 6th US series, the show was reformatted, to consist of two regular captains, who each select 3 people to help in the challenge. The show is presented by Rossi Morreale and Bobbi Sue Luther.
- Series 1 (2002) - Captains: Bowser, and Crash
- Series 2 (2004) - Captains: Hacket and (retired) Colonel Dick Strawbridge
Broadcasting Notes
The UK show is broadcast on US television under the then-current US title (ie Junkyard Wars for series 1-3; Junkyard Mega-Wars for series 4 onwards). The US show is broadcast in the UK as Scrapheap Challenge USA on Channel 4, and as Junkyard Wars on the Discovery Channel UK.
Locations
The actual scrapyard used in the programme is located in a former army training area just outside Basingstoke, Hampshire, and is not open to the public. The US Scrapyard was cited as Memory Lane (A Classic Car dismantler and Wrecking Yard) in California for 3 years according to their website.