Scrapheap Challenge s07e00 Episode Script

Special: Juggernaut

(JOLLY MUSIC PLAYS) (GRUNTS) (TRACTOR ENGINE REVS) Ah, Morning, Farmer Llewellyn.
What?! Lovely day for rock hauling.
What? Ha ha.
(GRUMBLES) Welcome to Scrapheap Challenge, where our tinkering titans vie with each other in a heavyweight power struggle too see who has the most mechanical muscle to win this staggeringly rare trophy.
Yes, it's the world cup of British bodging.
A veritably valuable edition to any sideboard as long as it's well-built because, believe me, you don't get many of these to the pound.
(GRUNTS) (CLANG) Yes, this week it's the grand final when this year's champions take on last year's grand final winners by creating titanic tractors capable of hauling humungous loads.
ROBERT: Back to the heap are the Cat-alysts.
Captain Garry, Tim and Shane, all Jaguar engineers from Warwick.
The Cats creamed the opposition in an amazing grand prix race at Rockingham last year.
Having won the grand final for three consecutive years, they're gonna take some beating.
LISA: And taking them on are the Anoraks.
Lyndon, Andy and Captain Marc are winners in this year's gladiatorial final.
Their route to the final included sand racing, power racing and an awesome flame flinger before some clever championship charioteering secured an epic victory.
The Anoraks! (ALL CHEER) Cat-alysts.
ALL: Good morning! Anoraks.
ALL: Yes! Welcome, teams.
This week, it's the final of finals.
And in the mega-build of the series, we want you to create a Colossus of Rhodes, the bigger the better.
A wheat-pulling, petrol-guzzling, ear-splitting giant juggernaut! Whoa! Yes! That's fantastic! (OTHERS CHEER) (LAUGHS) Oh, yes, teams, we want you to create agricultural amazons capable of pulling up to four times their own weight in timber behind them.
And in a fight to the finish, they who pull furthest, fastest, with the most weight are the grand final winners.
Now, creating these log-lugging juggernauts will be a Herculean task, so we're going to give you 20 hours build time.
Anoraks, are you galvanised into action? ALL: Yes! Cat-alysts, are you chomping at the bit? ALL: Yes! Oh, yes! Of course.
OK, teams, wait for it.
Weight, get it? Weight.
(CLANG) Go! (LAUGHTER) Come on! (LAUGHTER) Ahh! LISA: Helping the Anoraks is Mark Haile, a lorry engineer by trade, he repairs, maintains and builds them from scratch.
Specialising in custom-built trucks, what he doesn't know about lorries isn't worth knowing.
ROBERT: And giving the Cats a 'wheel' advantage is Richard Vincent, West Country character and all-round mechanical genius.
From his workshop in deepest Somerset, he builds tractors, steam engines and dragsters.
Hi, Mark.
Alright.
Alright, guys, today we're going to build a juggernaut.
Is this going to be something heavy? It's going to be something heavy.
It'll need a heavy base.
Yeah.
Powerful.
Very powerful.
Yep.
Lots of gears.
More gears.
Yeah, more gears, the better.
So, traction We need to get as much traction on the ground.
Yes.
So this is gonna be a big one today.
Right.
So I propose, if you've got any ideas, feel free.
Right, wheels in the back.
Yeah.
Chassis going out.
If we put some ballast tank on here We're gonna have a hitch on here somewhere obviously for pulling.
So you want a long overhang Yeah, pretty long overhang.
behind the rear wheels.
Yeah.
So we can get traction on So, multiplies the weight.
That's right.
Easy enough.
You say.
(ALL LAUGH) You happy with that, Marc? Yeah.
LISA: The Anoraks are going for a whole lorry as the basis of their juggernaut.
Scavenging one and making sure it runs will be their first priority.
Then they must cut down any excess weight and construct a tow hitch.
Crucially, they then must add the right amount of ballast to the rear end to balance the vehicle.
Otherwise, the lorry's front wheels will tend to plough through the ground rather than across it.
(SIGHS) ROBERT: And the Cats are sticking to the agricultural theme.
OK, we'll start with a tractor.
Big wheels, small wheels.
And the bonnet and the exhaust.
Looks like a tractor to me.
That looks like a tractor to you? It does indeed.
Unfortunately, the tractor only has a small engine, so what we need is something with a big engine.
Yeah.
So, if we can find a lorry engine Don't do lorries.
So what sort of size of that engine are we looking at out of the lorry? Probably about 7 litres.
Something like that? Oh, right.
OK.
Whereas that was probably about 3.
5 to 4 litres.
Alright.
Big and heavy, then.
Big and heavy.
LISA: The Cat-alysts' plan meanwhile is to marry a large truck engine with the running gear of a tractor, giving them both the power and traction to pull clear of the opposition and win a record-breaking fourth grand final.
Finding the right donor vehicles capable of being joined will be crucial to their success.
Get it right and they should out-pull their opponents.
Get it wrong and their machine might literally fall apart.
(CRIES) First on your shopping list must be a tractor.
Yup.
Tractor.
Most important is our power source and engine.
Some wheels.
Yup.
We want some wheels with tyres, matching pairs.
You'll need some materials to make a big, heavy hitch.
Right, let's go.
You ready? Yes.
Let's go! ROBERT: With reckless enthusiasm, our heavyweights head for the heap.
Let's go! Come on, let's go get some stuff! ROBERT: Our two experienced teams know the heap well and race to seize the advantage over each other.
Lorries being large and hard to miss, the Anoraks have gone straight for a white one.
ANDY: I think that's just what we need.
ROBERT: As Shane makes his mark on a red one.
There we go, marked that one.
LISA: Keen to see what state the lorry they found is in, Andy and Lyndon attempt to start it up.
Listen to this.
(LORRY ENGINE STARTS UP AND REVS) Lt'll pin it (WHIRRING AND CHUGGING) Sounds like a lorry.
I hope that's you making that noise.
LISA: It is.
But not for long.
(ENGINE SPUTTERS AND STOPS) It could well be us.
ANDY: And it's got a fuel problem.
And it's got a fuel problem.
(LAUGHS) It started and then stopped straightaway.
Alright, just get Andy to check the clutch, make sure it's got a clutch and it'll move.
We've got lots of stuff to move off it first anyway.
There's half a boat behind it, there's a car stuck on top of it, so we've got some work to do.
LISA: And it looks as if Tim has found something that needs working on.
OK, guys, I've found a useful-looking tractor here.
OK, yeah, bring the whole thing back in as it is.
Morning, Tim.
Good morning.
Oh, you've got a tractor.
Ooh, nice.
We found a lovely tractor.
Oh, look, it hasn't got a seat but it's got everything else.
(LAUGHS) There's no seat, yeah.
Morning, Shane.
How are you doing? Morning, Robert.
You alright? Very good, thank you.
Very nice to see you all again.
Nice to see you again.
This is your fourth Fourth year.
Fourth year.
Eighth show.
Completely unbeaten.
You've never, never, never lost.
No.
No.
Quite a challenge for the other team.
I think they're daunted by that.
Yeah.
'Cause they know now.
Quite a reputation to live up to for us.
It is.
Yes.
Mmm.
LISA: A reputation Garry seems keen to keep.
Too hard.
So, the tractor, you're not necessarily getting the tractor because you're going to use the tractor, there's things on it you might use.
We'll use the transmission.
Right.
The engine's too small on the tractor.
Shane, Tim, how's it going? Everything alright? Fine? You see? Look at that.
We're with Robert at the moment.
Garry's not happy, is he? (LAUGHS) Stop chatting and get on with doing something.
(ALL LAUGH) He doesn't like hanging around, does he? He's getting upset up there.
I don't want you getting in trouble with captain.
We don't want to upset him.
No.
I don't want to go there.
(LAUGHS) We'll send you instead.
"You been talking to my boys? "Get off.
Let them get on with it.
" Alright, I'll see you up there when the tractor's in position.
OK.
Right.
Bye-bye.
Good morning, Anoraks.
Good morning, Lisa.
How are you doing? I'm very well.
How are you? Not too bad at all.
So you've gone for a big one.
We like big.
(LAUGHS) Yes.
Now, the first thing I have to ask, Andy, lovely seeing you back again.
Thank you very much.
It seems the Anoraks have some kind of relay going on (BOTH LAUGH) in the team.
Where's Geoff this week? Well, Geoff is now the lovely proud father of a 7lb 8oz baby boy, Dylan.
Aww.
As of yesterday.
Isn't that cute? So So he has a special Scrapheap baby dispensation not to be here.
He has, yes.
He's had a pass.
Have either of you got any experience of juggernauts or big lorries? Yeah.
I used to drive them for a living.
And work on them, so So it's a perfect challenge for you.
It's absolutely perfect.
It's almost worked into our favour, basically.
We've actually got, you know, a second expert almost.
Fantastic.
All I've gotta do is get it running.
Sounds like a good plan to me.
I'll let you get on with it.
BOTH: Thank you.
Best of luck, Anoraks, see you later on.
See you, Lisa.
See you later.
Right, then.
OK, so this fuel tank's sorted.
So let's go.
ROBERT: Ever impatient, Captain Garry and expert Richard decide to see what the Cats have caught.
What's going on? Morning.
Morning, Garry.
What have you found? Well, this looks brand spanking new.
SHANE: Lovely, isn't it? It's quite new.
GARRY: So, this thing off.
I've got a plan of getting this.
Alright.
LISA: Casting his experienced eye over this heavyweight duel is Neal Davis, the chairman of the British Power Pulling Association.
Having built the UK's first jet-powered mini-puller, he's the top gun for this challenge.
ROBERT: Now, Neal, I think it's worth having a chat now 'cause it's still quiet.
I've got a feeling this could be quite a noisy and boisterous build, couldn't it? Well, I hope so.
Yeah.
We're looking at some big machines here.
Yeah.
Big machines.
A lot of torque, a lot of power, a lot of growl.
I mean, pulling's all about grip, efficiency, balance.
Right.
And, you know, you can't pull without power.
Yeah.
And there is quite a lot of skill in the driving.
So it doesn't finish when they finish the build.
Right.
It'll definitely be fun to watch, isn't it? I mean, it's a grand and noisy final.
It's gonna be great fun.
I'm really looking forward to it.
LISA: Pulling huge loads, such as our log pile, needs big engines producing loads of torque.
Both our teams have gone for diesel engines.
Unlike petrol engines, these work by compressing air and then injecting fuel at the top of the piston stroke, which ignites without a spark because the air is hot.
The bigger the cylinder, the more air is inside it and therefore more power can be produced, making diesel engines perfect for a challenge like this.
ROBERT: Back on the heap, Andy's bypassing the fuel line in the hope of starting the errant engine.
There we are, see? Hopefully, that might reach the fuel now.
Let's see if she works now.
ROBERT: And it seems he's bypassing the door.
It's not bad, is it, this job? No.
It's a shame the other four builds weren't this good.
(LAUGHS) (ENGINE STARTS UP AND STOPS) LISA: Doesn't sound that good.
Let's go then.
Ready? One, two, three, go.
ROBERT: Despite slightly seized wheels, the quartet of Cats start dragging in their quarry.
It's not dragging it.
It's locked.
It's dragging that from the wheel.
(ENGINE CHUGS LOUDLY) Ooh! Nasty noises.
Nasty noises.
What was that noise? Hey.
LYNDON: Yeah? Couldn't bung us the adjustable spanners, could you? Where are you? You were here a minute ago.
Oh, there you are.
(LAUGHS) LISA: Having failed the first time, Andy is now having to remake the fuel line between the tank and the engine.
And he's up to his ankles in it.
(ENGINE CHUGS) ROBERT: Bouncing along, the Cats are having to put their backs into heaving their haul home.
SHANE: Go, go, go, go! Go, go, go! (ALL CHEER) Whoo! (ENGINE REVS) LISA: Music to the Anoraks' ears.
Yes, an exhausted Andy's done his job.
All that remains is for Marc to unpark the car.
ROBERT: Cats Garry and Tim set to work stripping off the unwanted tractor engine.
Whilst out on the heap, Richard and Shane start removing its replacement, the 7-litre lorry engine.
LISA: Talking of lorries, Anoraks expert Mark reverses their mighty motor into the Anoraks' build area.
Come on.
LISA: Dwarfing our set.
That's it.
Whoa! Hold it there.
Turning over nicely.
ROBERT: With the old engine off, Garry and Tim relax and enjoy a spot of lunch as the others engineer their next course.
(ENGINE REVS AND SPUTTERS) Whoa.
Coming through.
Yay! Whoo.
Whoo! Phoo! That's what I like to see, my team working through my lunchtime.
And then come back here to disturb my lunchtime with this noise.
(LYNDON LAUGHS) Now we've got summat to do.
See, the thing about the Cat-alysts, who are struggling to get the world cup (LAUGHS) The thing about the Cat-alysts is they've won so many times now, they're actually really nervous about it 'cause they think, you know, they've gotta lose - sometime they've gotta lose.
They are the Brazil of the world cup, aren't they? Yeah.
(LAUGHS) Everybody assumes they're gonna win.
Normally they do win, but at some point they are going to have that final against France and it'll all fall apart.
(LAUGHS) Yeah.
And are the Anoraks going to be their France? Look, yes, it could be.
'Cause the Anoraks I mean, bless them, they didn't think they'd even get past the first round.
No.
And they've done really well.
They've really fought hard to get here.
Lyndon, he said to me, "We've wanted a big build for the whole series," and they've got it.
It's like their dreams have come true finally in the grand final.
Particularly with the Anoraks, there was this empty build area for hours, and next time I walk in I can't get in.
It's completely full.
Emptying the truck of any extra weight is the top priority for the Anoraks as they strip away the surplus.
LISA: While in the neighbouring build area, the Cat-alysts start assembling their medley of motors into some sort of order.
You've got something in the yard now, lads.
The last time I looked, this was just a big (HOWLS) empty Gobi desert.
It does the job, though, innit? It's quite big, isn't it? It's very quiet.
So, what's the main thing? The engine and gearbox will stay where they are? Yep.
You don't want to touch You don't have to put a propeller on or anything.
Definitely not.
We've moved the 5th wheel up to here.
And the 5th wheel is? This greasy bit.
Yeah.
And why have you moved that, though? So we can get more effort onto the back wheels for traction.
Right.
So what will you put on there? That's gonna be where our hitch is going to be.
To tow it.
Right.
So it'll bear down on the back.
So it won't be right at the back.
There'll be an arm going to the back.
That will be attached in a permanent, non-slippy out way.
So, this So that's your hinge pin.
MARC: Yeah, Lyndon's just been cleaning that up.
Yeah, that sits in there and all.
(CLANG!) Ohh! There you go.
That works.
(OTHERS LAUGH) I had no idea it was gonna do that.
I was gonna help, "Oh, let me adjust it.
" Yeah, that'll grow back, won't it? That tissue grows back, doesn't it? Yeah.
Yeah, right, it's joined on now, isn't it? It's not going to come out.
That's it.
LISA: With the lorry engine safely on the bench, the Cats must now modify the oil system so it'll work when joined to the tractor gearbox.
We don't need to put a filter or nothing on the bottom.
Just a tight right-angle bend.
Yeah.
Two, three A little lug on there.
Afternoon, Cats.
Afternoon.
Good afternoon.
How are you? I'm fine.
How are you? Very well.
Bit black but having fun.
You look like you've worked hard.
Well, we're doing our best.
How are you going to fit that onto that? 'Cause that just looks so much bigger, if you like, than that.
That shouldn't be too bad.
If we got our calculations right, that should straightforward fit straight onto there and, fingers crossed, it'll be OK.
OK.
What do you reckon about your team? It's a good team.
Yeah, they're alright.
They know what they're doing? Yeah, they work hard.
They don't want to stop.
Don't they? They won't stop for tea, they just keep going.
We've licked this guy into shape, haven't we? We've given him a good talking to.
(LAUGHS) He thought, "I'll be the expert and tell them what to do.
" It didn't work that way, did it? No.
Garry, I suspect, was laying the law down as soon as you came in.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
He knows what he wants, our Garry.
Doesn't he? He does voice his opinion strongly.
I must admit.
I don't want to ponce around with this, I wanna get on with it.
Well, you carry on, I'll No, I want to help you understand what we're doing.
ROBERT: With less opinions and more gusto, the Anoraks start cutting corners in order to give the cab the chop.
This will help to lighten up the front end of their giant juggernaut.
(ENGINE IDLES) ANDY: Three, two, one.
That's the way! (LAUGHS) See? That weld I put on didn't break off.
(CHUCKLES) They're animals.
(LAUGHS) They're animals.
And again.
LISA: Roaring ahead and pinning their hopes on an RSJ, the Anoraks mull over the hitch height.
Which angles of the dangles we gonna go at next? I don't know.
Do we want this horizontal? Well, horizontal is the best pull for the pin, isn't it? It's the best pull for the pin but is it the best pull for us? ROBERT: With over half the first day gone, the rain arrives.
So it's up with the marquee for the Cats.
Well, how big do you want? SHANE: Up a bit.
Up, up, up.
Up.
That's it.
I think that's very nice.
Thank you very much.
Lovely.
ROBERT: While without cover, the Raks work on the hitch.
MARK: Who laid this floor? (LYNDON LAUGHS) Might as well put on me poncho on and look silly.
Ah, the great British summer.
Isn't it lovely? Don't you just love it? I love it.
I think it's As sure as night follows day.
Yep.
It's the grand final.
It's chucking it down.
Just kind of chuck it down.
But I think it's all in the spirit of it.
If it'd been a nice, sunny day today, I would've been depressed.
All too easy.
It was sunny this morning, I was in a bit of a mood.
Now it's raining, I'm happy.
I love it.
I know where I am, I'm on the heap.
The Anoraks are walking They just sort of have that attitude of they're kind of like that all the time - "Cor, that's huge!" With the Cat-alysts, I'm a bit concerned all their different components they're going to put together to make the vehicle are from different centuries.
Yes.
(LAUGHS) They might just have a vehicle.
They've got a Victorian tractor (LAUGHS) Victorian tractor.
and a 1970s truck engine, yeah.
LISA: With the first day drawing damply to a close, both teams do their best to keep on schedule.
One, two, three.
Teams, you have one hour remaining today.
One hour? Tonight.
One hour remaining and 11 hours in total, teams.
11 hours remaining.
Thank you.
Thanks.
LISA: With an hour left, the Cats are determined to mate engine and drive train.
TIM: It's closer.
RICHARD: Push it in, then.
LISA: A tricky manoeuvre for a tired team.
SHANE: Do you want me to turn the wheel? RICHARD: Just give her a turn and she should Hoist up, Garry.
TIM: Hoist up, Garry.
Hoist up? Just a little bit.
You want a spare hand? That's enough.
(LAUGHTER) I'm not stopping you.
Hello.
I'm just seeing how you're getting on.
(LAUGHS) How do you think? Looks like you're quite busy.
Yeah.
Bit rushed.
Has it gone alright today? Er SHANE: It's nearly there.
We're nowhere near where we wanted to be by this time.
But you are marrying your engine to your drive It's not a happy marriage, is it? Doesn't look like they're getting on that well yet.
It's a shotgun marriage, this one.
(LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) SHANE: Oh, come on.
GARRY: How about your 8mm bolt solution, Shane? Is it working? No, it's not even been tried.
Why not? Because we were told not to do it.
By whom? By our expert.
Oh.
I thought it was a really good idea.
I think the team are a wonderful group of lads.
They don't understand the first thing about heavy engineering.
Garry seems to be one that likes to do all the talking and all the organising, the other lads seem to have just got a hold of it and got on with it.
You've got to take those bolts outside, I'm sorry.
Start again? Yup.
SHANE: This is killing me, this is.
GARRY: Whoa.
Just keep it held up there, yeah? We're pushing.
Yeah, right.
Take them out, Tim.
TIM: It's coming out.
There you are, now he's in.
SHANE: Did it go? TIM: It's gone.
RICHARD: Push the whole engine up.
LISA: With Richard's guidance, they finally succeed.
SHANE: Oh, we're there.
We're there.
RICHARD: Put all the bolts in.
GARRY: That's it.
That's locked now.
Axle stand.
That's a good idea.
Right, teams, that's it.
We're stopping the clock and you in your tracks.
Mark.
That's it for build day one.
LISA: Get some well-earned sleep before tomorrow and your remaining 10 hours build time.
Well done, teams.
Good first day.
Yay.
ROBERT: Well done.
Very good.
Whoo! (SNORES, COCKS CROW) (WHACKING SOUND) Ah! Welcome back to the Scrapheap Challenge grand final, where, after a peaceful night's slumber, the cunning Cats and the ambitious Anoraks are set to plough on with their build.
With a mere 10 hours left to complete their vehicles, there's no time to lose.
And Anoraks Lyndon and Andy make a tireless dash for every wheel they can lay their hands on.
While next door, the Cat-alysts can't quite wake up and decide what to do first.
ROBERT: By the time our dozy duo reach the heap, there's nothing left and it's wheelie beginning to look as if they should have stayed in bed.
Well, I was about 10 foot away from it and they got it.
The chassis.
I can't see any.
Up.
Not exactly a lightweight.
Hi there, Cats.
Better now.
How's it going? Not great, actually.
Really? But we're having fun.
What's the problem? We need better wheels, we need oil barrels, we need parts for the engine, the engine isn't running.
We're not in the state we wanted to be before going home last night.
We haven't got the front end on, the welder doesn't work, we can't get the critical welds done, we daren't weld the back 'cause OK, stop.
Whoa, whoa.
You're depressing me.
But other than that, it's fine.
A bit down beat about the whole thing? Well, not great.
Nah, not really.
Just getting on.
We'll get there.
We've still got plenty to do.
Plenty to do.
What are you actually doing here? You were straightening out this metal.
Where's that going? So the bend's in the right place.
It's all part of the safe the shackly bit at the back.
Is it called a shackle? I don't know what it's called.
Towing hitch.
The towing hitch.
That's the word.
Right.
This is our towing hitch thing.
At the moment, we need to weld this up but we daren't because we're having difficulties with the welder at the moment.
What's wrong with the welder? Ah, well, Shane, our fantastic ace welder, can't achieve a decent weld, which is no fault of his - I'm sure he hasn't lost the knack overnight.
So we're sort of standing around sort of dithering.
Hmm.
I don't think I've ever seen you so down beat.
I'm alright, I get by.
Yeah, we cheer up.
Will you? Maybe, yeah.
(LAUGHS) Nicer if the sun was out and you had all the parts you need.
It's not so bad, it's not raining at least.
Yeah, we won't get sunburnt.
Yeah.
Yeah, we won't get sunburnt, we're not getting wet, so, hey.
Could be worse.
Alright, well, look, good luck.
See you later, boys.
Take care.
Thank you.
Alright, let's bend this bit of metal.
Oh, yeah.
Oh.
Ooh.
Oww! Ohh! Danger.
Danger.
(LAUGHS) It's all messy.
It needs tidying up.
Sorry.
(LAUGHS) We'll see what we can do.
Maybe tomorrow.
This is all looking very advanced now.
There's obviously some advanced, complex engineering going on here.
There's a little bit.
At the moment you're doing a bit of tweaking on that? Yep.
What are you doing about your tyres on the back? Are you still looking for different sorts of tyres to put on? No, we're not sure which ones we'll use yet.
We've got a choice there.
Oh, I see.
(LAUGHS) No wonder they're upset.
I didn't even see those.
You've got a whole tyre showroom just lying there.
Yeah.
So we don't know which ones to go for yet.
And at the moment, what can you do to the engine to get more power? I'm going to adjust it so the turbo comes in quicker.
Right.
We'll give it lots more fuel.
Right.
And we'll use excess fuel as well.
So, yeah, it's going quite well.
So, we've sawn down a load of trees and now we're pumping a load of noxious gases into the environment.
I think this is the least green test we've ever done.
(ALL LAUGH) But we've got green overalls.
That is true.
At least there's some very token attempt at being environmentally aware.
You can sort of blend in to a bush before you saw it over and pull it along.
(ALL LAUGH) LISA: From green to red, as Richard fuels the tractor for an engine test while the rest of the Cats cradle the front engine into position and decide on how the chassis will shape up.
So, on this, we could gas this off, flush with the bottom there, back to about there, and up.
You know, the Anoraks are so happy.
(LISA LAUGHS) All they're doing, they're tinkering with their engine.
'Cause it's so huge.
And all they're doing is sitting on it, grinning.
Conversely, those Cat-alysts haven't got anything they want.
I went in to see them and Garry was not a happy man.
And I have to say that the well-organised Cat-alysts are starting to look a bit frayed around the edges.
Wow.
But the irony is I actually think that their vehicle will be very good if they can get it together, if they can make it, if they can pull it off.
But at the moment they're so down beat, I don't know if they'll do it.
Yeah, I said to the Anoraks, "Is there anything that you need "that the Cat-alysts have got, so you can maybe do a deal?" They went, "No, we're alright, thanks.
" (LAUGHS) "We're sorted.
" That's why the Cat-alysts are all Yeah.
Yeah.
There's a bit of contrast at the moment.
Definitely.
It could all change, though.
The Cat-alysts' reign at the top began when they fought their way to a final win with a high-flying hydrofoil.
Jousting their opponents aside, they then seized the grand final with some remotely risky driving.
Taking even bigger risks the following year, they catapulted themselves into a second grand final win against the hapless Barley Pickers.
Finally finishing first in last year's epic grand prix race set the seal on the Cats' truly amazing Scrapheap success.
LISA: Back on the heap, their opponents this year, the Anoraks, are doing everything they can to thwart the Cats' run, as expert Mark tweaks the engine.
(ENGINE REVS) By upping the boost pressure from the turbo charger to the fuel pump, Mark is hoping to inject more fuel and therefore gain more engine power.
Of course, this extra burnt fuel generates clouds of thick smoke.
MARK: Just a touch more.
(OTHERS LAUGH) Mad.
Here we go, then.
ROBERT: After engines without catalysers, it's Cat-alysts without engineers as Richard fires the tractor up.
(ENGINE SPUTTERS AND REVS) Whoa! ROBERT: Oops.
Ahh.
Oh, (BLEEP) hell.
There's no oil filter on it.
(BLEEP) (LAUGHS) TIM: Lost the plot.
Who chucked on the ground? I did it.
(LAUGHS) GARRY: Got to clear up after our expert, you know.
He's a messy worker, ain't he, Shane? Would you like him in your workshop? He needs a beer, I tell you.
(LAUGHS) Well, I was very relieved to see that the Cat-alysts' engine was running, 'cause they're three quarters of the way through their build now and they don't have any front wheels.
(LAUGHS) They don't have any back wheels.
In fact, they don't have any wheels.
Well, they've got an engine that runs.
They've got an engine that runs, yeah.
It sounds good actually.
A little bit of a laugh when they discovered that a key critical component hadn't been fitted - the oil filter.
Right.
Impromptu oil change.
All good fun.
So if you haven't got an oil filter, it'll squirt out.
Yeah.
All over their feet.
(BOTH LAUGH) Which was brilliant.
Yeah.
But that won't cause any harm.
It's just an irritation factor.
But they've learnt something.
Have you got a favourite at this point? We're three quarters of the way through the build now.
Well, it is going to depend very, very strongly on the ground conditions on the day.
Yeah.
If the ground conditions are firm, then I shall go for the truck.
If the ground conditions are soft, then I shall go the other way.
Right.
At the moment, it's looking a little soft.
It's looking a bit soft at the moment.
So we may be looking at the tractor perhaps being able to handle conditions.
You know what, Lisa, I reckon my tractor can out-pull yours any day you wanna try.
You saying that to me, Bobby Llew, but I know my tractor's bigger than yours.
Oh, yes Tractor pulling started in the USA when two farmers began arguing about who had the best carthorse.
There's only one way to find out, Lisa, let's go do it right here, right now.
Let's do it, let's go.
OK.
By 1929, motorised tractors had replaced the horse.
But bets were still waged, with weights added to a farm gate instead of a trailer.
(BANG! ENGINE STOPS) Oh, shucks! The one who pulled the most weight and didn't break down won.
Told you my tractor was better than your tractor.
ROBERT: By the 1970s, truck and tractor pulling had evolved into a semi-professional sport around the globe, producing some awe-inspiring machines capable of hauling huge loads.
This is a big decision now.
ROBERT: Back on the heap, it's decision time for the Anoraks as they choose which wheels to use.
Unlike the tractor, a lorry is not designed to work in fields and they need to generate as much traction as they can.
I say go big.
Yeah, I'll go big.
Yeah, I'll go big.
Now.
ROBERT: Big it is, then.
(ENGINE CHUGS) That's a bit fast, that is.
We don't want it that fast.
LISA: While next door, the Cats seem to have their gearbox working to a tee but no wagon wheels.
Time to see if the neighbours can help with a spare pair from their pneumatic pile.
Hi.
Just passing through.
Just shopping, are we? LISA: Shoplifting more like.
Easy.
Rest that here.
ROBERT: So, now they have four odd-sized wheels.
But does Richard have a plan? Well, I'm thinking of plan B's on tyres, but we can't actually think of a plan B.
We haven't even got a plan B.
ROBERT: And will Garry and Shane actually understand it? I'm suggesting The only thing I can suggest that this one goes on the inside of one of them, that one goes on the inside of the other one.
'Cause at least they fit straight on the hub.
Could they fit straight on the hub? Two pieces of that big pipe.
Big pipe, weld them in the middle.
And weld those ones to it.
And weld those ones on the outside.
ROBERT: Having pinched the wheels they needed from the Anoraks and with Tim bringing a peace pipe to join them together, the war between Garry and Richard seems finally to be over as the team get their build back on track.
(WHIRRING AND DRILLING) Teams, you've had 17 hours build time.
You have three hours remaining.
No problem.
MARK: Way! ROBERT: Three hours left, teams.
That's all you've got.
Thank you.
You're looking quite chirpy.
How much have you actually got left to do? Basically, we're going to put our barrels on with the ballast in, sort the hook out, Bob's your uncle.
That's it.
How fast do you think it'll go with all that timber behind it? I was hoping you wasn't going to say about the timber.
(LAUGHS) Lt'll go pretty fast without it.
OK, how fast will it go without the timber, for starts? We'd get close to 100 miles an hour.
No?! With the bigger wheels.
We could if we had the bottle to do it, because we've actually increased our wheel diameter.
Remember, there's normally MARC: And engine power.
It'll take a while to get there.
They normally do 60-odd, no problem.
And we've now increased our wheel size even bigger so we'll go even quicker.
And you've had a little play with the engine as well? Yes.
Big play with the engine.
Big play.
A big play with the engine.
I'll leave you to finish your bits and pieces.
And I'll be looking forward to seeing you go 100 miles an hour in this tomorrow, then.
(OTHERS LAUGH) No problem.
ROBERT: Next door, things are a hive of activity as the Cats keep up the tinkering tempo.
Getting their noses to the grindstone, they double the driving force of their agricultural Amazon.
Oh.
Ho, ho, that's close.
(LAUGHS) Yeah.
Evening, Garry.
Good evening.
Evening, Shane.
How's it going? It's very good for me, I don't know how it is for you.
It's getting better.
Oh, is it? Oh, good.
Better.
Oh, good.
Good.
You've got the front wheels on.
Yes.
So is the chassis section of it all done now? I think the chassis is pretty much done.
Shane? I've finished, actually.
Yeah.
Yeah, it is.
It's beefy.
And I love these curvy Lovely design feature there.
Brunelian.
Looks brilliant.
That looks like it spent hundreds of hours on the drawing board.
(OTHERS LAUGH) Exact curve.
Laser and computer image cut.
Yes, I'm sure it was.
Yeah.
(LAUGHS) It's very good.
But, I mean, so the rest of it, the drivetrain, everything like that, is all the same, you haven't changed any of that? No.
We checked all the gears and they work.
The clutch works as it should.
Right.
So, that's OK.
So we have a good chance of going forward.
To actually go forwards.
Mm-hm.
And reverse works.
Yeah.
Yeah, so that's OK.
And if it's slightly muddy It could be.
It could be after the days we've had.
But you're very sorted, really.
You're in a tractor with more wheels than a tractor needs.
We need some extra weight.
A bit of extra weight.
Yeah, you probably need extra weight at the back.
Every pound of weight is on the rear tyres.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yes.
All four of them You've done amazingly well, guys.
As always.
Thank you.
Picked up the pace towards the end.
Well, sorting out.
Yeah, you're getting there.
And every time you've done it.
(LAUGHS) At least you have a year off in between each one.
To recover.
Yeah.
(LAUGHS) We need a year off.
You're just about alright by January.
LISA: No time off for the Anoraks, though, as their build continues without a hitch.
But not for long, as expert Mark knocks up a drawbar.
MARK: Good enough? Lt'll do.
Teams, the weight of time is now definitely upon you.
You have one hour remaining.
We might actually finish it this time.
60 minutes build time remaining, teams.
Thank you.
How on earth will we get finished in an hour? LISA: Tim takes his time and a back seat as the sun finally sets on this epic 2-day build.
Well, I'm very happy to report that the Cat-alysts have cheered up.
Garry's smiling.
LISA: Phew! Shane is smiling.
Good.
And Richard, the expert, is just welding away, he's so happy, he's just welding himself into a huge tube.
He may be part of the machine.
Like a hamster.
They haven't got enough seats, so I reckon he's gonna be in one of the wheels.
(LAUGHS) A bit of extra ballast.
(LAUGHS) Well, the Anoraks are still as happy as ever, quite frankly.
And to see them big, happy smiling faces.
They've just loved it, haven't they? Yeah.
And they're up against a very well-proven team, the Cat-alysts.
Yes, three times unbeaten.
Never beaten ever on Scrapheap.
They've never lost.
Could this be the time? Well, it's very difficult to tell.
I mean, someone is going to walk off with the cup.
Tomorrow we'll find out who walks away with this rather lovely cup.
Hope it doesn't get mud on it.
If it gets behind one of those machines, it will.
It's finished then.
With half an hour to go, our timber-toting teams brook no effort in their quest to be this year's grand final winners.
The slightly more relaxed Anoraks assemble a barrage of ballast while the Cats push for the finish line and a Scrapheap seat at the top table.
It's a bit high up, actually, this one, Tim.
(GIGGLES) Could we just start her up, have a little rev up? What I need is a bar.
They're not listening to me, are they? LISA: Five.
ROBERT: Four.
Three.
Two.
One! OK, teams, that's it! After a mammoth 20-hour build, it's time, gentlemen, please.
Your massive monster motors must now face their vehicular Valhalla.
LISA: Oh, yes, teams, tomorrow, it's grand final test day where we'll be pitting your titanic tractors against each other in a huge haul-out.
ROBERT: To see who's got the pulling power to win this magnificent trophy and the tinkering honours that go with it.
Well done, teams.
Yes! Well done.
(WHOOPING, HORNS TOOT) (CHEERING) ROBERT: Ploughing straight into their two hours tinker time, the Cat-alysts and their opponents, the Anoraks, ready their mighty metal steeds to face our lug-some pile of lumber.
The teams will have to use all the modern horsepower at their disposal to haul these huge logs.
They vary in weight from just over a ton to 2.
5 tons, and they'll be connected by these - oh! - Rather large chains.
The teams will take it in turn to pull the same logs down their own 60m tracks.
If the tow hitch passes the finish line, they will have succeeded.
And we'll add some more logs after each pull.
The team that pulls the most weight the furthest are the grand final winners.
ROBERT: Well, we've got a wonderful course, lovely weather and two completely barking mad machines, so it should be a good day today.
NEAL: Yeah, looks like it's going to be a success.
As we look at the individual machines, the Cat-alysts have done the quite extraordinary thing of putting concrete in their wheels, which I've not heard of before.
It's certainly a first on this show.
(LAUGHS) Yeah, it's fairly unusual.
But concrete is marginally heavier than water, so they've got the advantage of getting that weight there.
And, of course it saves them getting a puncture.
The Anoraks' machine is looking extremely big.
I mean, when you look at the two of them together, there's a very big size difference.
It is a lot bigger, although, interestingly, it's not necessarily any heavier.
They've got the water barrels Water barrels at the back.
But the barrels are behind the rear axle, so there's a question there as to whether or not they might take too much weight off the front.
I'm very interested to see whether the front wheels come off the ground.
Stand by, teams, for the heavyweight haulage event of the year, the Scrapheap grand final.
Now, to walk away with this coveted chalice and to become scrappy-weight champions of the world, you must out-pull your opponents in a drag-some duel.
OK, teams, you will start on my signal.
Good luck, chaps, and may the best team win.
Now, off to your steeds.
OTHERS: Hooray.
LISA: The Anoraks won the toss and get to go first, so the Cats can only watch and wait.
The first pull will be a 1.
3 ton log.
And remember, it's the hitch that must cross the finish line.
(TENSE MUSIC) Anoraks, are you ready to haul some wood? (ENGINE REVS) Go on the sound of the horn.
(HOOTER BLARES) ROBERT: It's not exactly straining it, is it? NEAL: No, you'll need more than that.
Having no trouble.
It just goes to prove, if you've got the power and you've got the stride, she's there.
Absolutely superb.
Look at that.
Walk in the park.
Yeah.
(LAUGHS) (CLAPS) Brilliant.
How is it? Lovely! Absolutely perfect.
That is absolutely perfect! Well done, my friend.
Perfect, mate.
Perfect.
Well done.
Just like dragging a twig behind your pushbike.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Pull that all the way to Edinburgh, no trouble.
(LAUGHS) Absolutely.
ROBERT: With the log switched over to the tractor, it's time for the Cats to show what they're made of.
You got your pipe on? Mm-hm.
Oh, nice one.
Cat-alysts, get ready to slither your timbers.
Go on the sound of the horn.
(HOOTER BLARES) ROBERT: Well, no trouble pulling it.
NEAL: No.
But I expected it to be slower - it's a tractor gearbox.
Yeah.
But it'll do that all day long.
Yeah.
And it's quite happy.
Very, very It looks like their log's left a bigger gouge in the ground.
It may be just the angle it's at.
Yes, just the angle it's turned over.
Certainly not having trouble turning it.
I think the hitch height is a little lower.
That'll have that effect, pull it down.
But Have a little speed burst at the end.
Yeah, they're just He doesn't want to work her too hard at the moment.
No problem at all.
Turn off your engine for us.
(STOPS ENGINE) I'm slightly concerned there, Cats, you seem to have something in your mouth.
Was that Yeah.
That's our fuel-injection system.
Yeah.
(LAUGHS) Our manual fuel-injection system.
Me and Tim blow into this, this forces the fuel out of here, straight into the air inlet.
Very clever.
Looking forward to heavier logs in the back? The more the merrier.
Yeah, give us a challenge.
The first run very successful.
Both machines seem to be perfectly alright.
They did the run OK, didn't they? No problem at all.
Nice, easy pull.
The Cat-alysts will probably try and preserve their machine a bit.
Yeah.
Anoraks' machine, possibly a little bit damaged at the hitch pin.
ROBERT: So, having easily managed our opening pull, it's time to up the load to five tons.
(ENGINE REVS) Anoraks, get ready to tow those timbers.
(HOOTER BLARES) Go, my man.
NEAL: Backspin.
Oh, a bit of spin.
It's still doing fine, isn't it? Yeah.
But he's certainly Oh! He's gone off a gear as well.
Yeah.
The tyres are looking very flat though.
Yeah.
That's really working her now.
Back wheels - grip is going to be the thing with this one.
Yeah, it is, isn't it? And it showed there when he pulled away.
No trouble, they're still pulling.
No trouble.
Still pulled them through at the end.
But working hard.
Nice one! (OTHERS LAUGH) ROBERT: With the Anoraks having some trouble at the start and having to change gear halfway down the course, how will the Cats' tractor fare with the 5-ton load? GARRY: Good luck, Richard.
TIM: You know you've got some slack on that chain, don't you? Yeah, I know that.
Cat-alysts, prepare to log those logs.
(HOOTER BLARES) Whoa-ho! Front wheels off the ground.
Perfect pulling.
Now he's gotta steer.
Yeah, he's gotta steer.
And he's out of traction.
That is amazing.
He's out of traction now.
Hasn't got enough weight on that tractor.
He's just gonna dig himself deeper and deeper and deeper.
When the diff locks in, adjust the weight and he's down onto the bottom with the wheelie bar now.
(CLICK) And something just broke.
Yeah, something broke.
Yeah.
Half shaft's gone or a gear's gone.
They've got one wheel turning now.
Yes! So happy! GARRY: I think we're broken.
That's it, all over.
All over, boys.
Really tremendous that was.
What a dramatic ending! He did try.
He did try.
We dug a hole.
Oh, Cats, it looks like your cat's paws are stuck in the mud.
Yeah.
We are.
Yeah, cat's paws not quite enough grip.
(LAUGHS) So, what happened? You seemed to kind of The whole vehicle seemed to twist.
Um I think it was loss of traction on that right-hand wheel, wasn't it? Yeah.
The wheel's actually come off? I think so.
The wheels have literally left the vehicle.
The wheels have finally come off our device.
Oh, well.
So even if it's come to an end, have you enjoyed it? SHANE: Course.
Have you had a laugh? Oh, yeah.
Of course.
Absolutely.
Got to do things we wouldn't have done otherwise.
(LAUGHS) And it does mean that you won't have to come back again next year.
You can always come back and watch.
(ALL LAUGH) Well done, Cats, thanks for being such a great team.
Very good.
It's OK.
Hats off to the other guys.
Yeah, very good.
Top team.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
They win it for another three years in a row and they're as good as us.
(OTHERS LAUGH) ROBERT: With their mighty machine undefeated, we decided to give the Anoraks a death-or-glory run to see just what it would pull.
So, this time we've chained eight tons of timber to their hitch.
Anoraks, this is your glory run.
Let's haul those logs and see what that baby can do.
In your own time.
And they're off, just about getting the traction they need on those rear wheels.
(ALL CHEER) Although one of them looks a bit flat and they seem to be losing some of their ballast.
(LAUGH AND CHEER) As the new champions, the Anoraks jump for joy.
Even the beaten Cat-alysts are applauding the awesome pulling power of the jolly green giant.
They're nearly at the finish.
Hold on, they're slowing up.
They think it's all over.
Well, it is now.
The weight of all those logs has finally held them back as the wheels dig in for victory.
(ALL LAUGH) What an unbelievable effort from our new grand finalists, the Anoraks! Hey, I'll leave it here or Lisa won't get on.
MARC: Now, that's what you call a pull.
Well, teams, what a brilliant grand final we've had.
I think it's gotta be one of the biggest, the baddest, the loudest and certainly the smelliest.
For one team in particular, they've had a brand-new experience today and that is coming second.
But today, you have been the most successful Scrapheap team ever, so, please, let's hear it for the Cat-alysts! Well done, Cat-alysts.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) But this year, we have brand-new, supreme champions of Scrapheap Challenge, winning every single competition they went in and winning the grand final.
We all know who it is, it's the fantastic Anoraks! (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) (WHOOPING AND LAUGHING) ROBERT: There you go.
There you go.
Thanks very much.
Enjoy.
Well done.
Yeah.
Whoo! LISA: So, after the Cats' three-year reign at the top, we now have new Scrapheap grand champions, the Anoraks! ALL: Yes!
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