Q. What is Junkyard Wars/Scrapheap Challenge?
A. A mix of Mad Max, gameshow and Mr Wizard, Junkyard Wars is a show where 2 teams of 3 (plus an expert) compete to race against the clock to build a specific machine. The hosts tell them what to build and the task the machine must perform. They then have 10 hours to construct the machine from scrap they find in the junkyard. They then race against each other using their home-built machines for a chance to compete again for the Scrapheap Trophy.
 

Q. What's up with the schizophrenic title?
A. Well, the first series was called 'Scrapheap' and aired only in the UK. The 2nd (and subsequent) series was called 'Scrapheap Challenge' and also aired in the UK. American broadcaster TLC got ahold of the show and re-badged it as 'Junkyard Wars'. So, depending on which side of the pond you live, it depends what the show is called.
 

Q. Have all of the shows aired in the US?
A. Yes.
 

Q. Will the American series be seen in the UK?
A. So far, all shows have appeared on both sides of the Atlantic.
 

Q. Is the scrapheap seeded?
A. Yes. The producers hide certain items in the junkyard that you might not otherwise find in a junkyard (at least in working order). Some items, like the boilers, are definately seeded. You need licenses in the UK to operate boilers for steam-powered vehicles. Other things, like hydraulic hoses, where safety is an issue are out-right given to the teams.
 

Q. Do they really have 10 hours?
A. I know it may not seem like it, (ever notice how fast the sun sets?) but they do get round about 10 hours. If a little more time is needed, it is afforded. After all, wouldn't be much of a show with only one machine, would it? In every series, teams are given an additional hour before the competition to tweak and adjust their machines if need be.
 

Q. How can I be on the show?
A. Visit the Channel 4 website for information on that.
 

Q. Hey! That wasn't fair! I want to complain!
A. Complain to someone who actually works on the show. I only maintain this website. Again, visit the Channel 4 website to leave your comments.
 

Q. Who is that guy?
A. The host of the UK series is Robert Llewellyn (Kryten on Red Dwarf). The host of the 1st US series is George Gray (comedian) and the subsequent US host is Tyler Harcott.

Q. Who is that girl?/Where's Cathy?
A. Cathy is no longer co-host of either Junkyard Wars or Scrapheap Challenge as she's busy overseeing new shows for RDF Media. In the US, we have Karyn Bryant (VH1's Name That Video, TBS's Movies for Guys Who Like Movies) and the UK has Lisa Rogers (Top of the Pops Plus, Grudge Match). Cathy will still act as producer.
 

Q. Where's Kali from?
A. Some have suggested Ontario, Canada.  I don't know for certain.
 

Q. Those drawings are cool. Do they have a name?
A. They do indeed! One of the coolest aspects (aside from building stuff from scratch) are those animations that explain how the teams machines are supposed to work. Called 'Chalk Talk', they have a hand-drawn look and are superimposed on what looks like graph paper. Very nice touch and gives you a better idea of how a wing, impeller or hydraulic system works (to name just 3 examples).
 

Q. Is the answer to this question yes?
A. No
 

Q. What is it that makes this show interesting?
A. Well, that's subjective. I like it because of the humor, the cameraderie, the machines, the people...so many things. Basically it's just fun to watch someone rip a camper van to it's chassis and turn it into a battering ram.
 

Q. Is it really set in a junkyard?
A. Yes it is. In some of the later episodes, you can see cranes moving stuff in the background. When the producers need more scrap for the pile, they just have a crane drop a couple hundred tons over the wall. The place where the teams build and scavenge is on one corner of a much larger junkyard.
 

Q. x²+13x-207=93. What does x equal?
>A. x=12
 

Q. So, when is this show on?
A. Right now it's on at 9PM Eastern, Wednesdays, on TLC with a repeat airing on Sundays. I don't know about the UK.
 

Q. You mentioned US Series #1, 2, 3, etc.  Does that imply more series?
A. As long as enough folks are watching, TLC will continue doing more shows. The current production schedule is 14 episodes a year (USA).