channel4.com - Scrapheap Challenge

[an error occurred while processing this directive] channel4.com - Scrapheap Challenge - text only

Channel4.com Text Only

[ Text Only: Homepage ]
[ Graphical: Channel4 Homepage ]

[ The Challenge and Teams ] [ Result ] [ Tunnel Ratz' Diary ] [ Hammerlocks' Diary ] [ Science ] [ More Info ]

Monowheel

This week the teams are going to reinvent the wheel. Wheels are generally found attached to an axle and a chassis or frame, but for this challenge the team must do without either and find a way of fitting both engine and rider inside a single, giant wheel.

The Tunnel Ratz

The Tunnel Ratz are all engineers on London Underground. Steven Oatley, the captain, describes his job as being 'like playing with a giant train set'. James Lackmaker first got interested in engineering as a child, watching his father, who had a mechanic's shop, rebuilding engines. Mark Weeks has also been developing his mechanical skills from an early age – since he rebuilt a broken lawnmower at school.

This time out the technical consultant for the Ratz is Dr Geraint Owen. Two years ago Geraint, a Bath University engineering lecturer and vintage sports-car club stalwart, reached the inexplicable conclusion that the monowheel didn't deserve its place in motoring's bulging 'where are they now?' file. To prove the point, he built one of his own.

So will the Ratz take to the monowheel like hamsters to a treadmill? Or is this the end of the line for our underground engineers?

The Hammerlocks

The Hammerlocks are the wrestlers Mike 'Majik' Connell, Stephen 'Psycho Steve' Edwards and John 'The Vigilante' Mossop. By day Mike, the captain, is an IT officer; in the ring he's the UK's Junior Heavyweight Champion. Steve, an engineer, shares Mike's interest in wrestling, as well as in motorcycles and 'fixing things'. John Mossop has recently taken the title of National Wrestling Alliance United Heavyweight Champion. He is only 22, but he has already been a professional wrestler for five years.

The Hammerlocks' technical consultant for this challenge is Rod 'Dr Rod' Gibson, who has worked in the motorcycle trade since 1977. In 1982 he started his own business buying, selling and servicing used bikes and building custom bikes and trikes.

Are the Hammerlocks on a roll? Or will they find themselves on the ropes?

The expert

Kerry McLean built his first monocycle about 20 years ago from a Riverside motorcycle engine. He has since redefined the whole idea of this type of machine. He set the land speed record for monocycles at the Bonneville Salt Flats and has hand-built a V-8 version. [an error occurred while processing this directive]