Scrapheap Challenge
Season 5
Two rival teams are given the task of building some kind of machine, in one day, using only the items found in an unusually well-stocked scrapyard. Machines constructed to date have included trebuchets, hovercraft, rockets, and more.
Where to Watch Season 5
14 Episodes
- Mud Monsters
E1Mud MonstersThe first test of the new series was a closely fought three-round contest. The Barleys won the first round convincingly, but the Munch Bunch stormed to a surprising victory in the second. With everything to play for in the final round, the Barleys were lucky to make it to the finish line: a treacherous mud-hole nearly sank them. The Munch Bunch then had not only to complete the section but to improve on the time set by the Barleys. But it was not to be. Their machine became firmly embedded in the same mud-hole that nearly bagged the Barleys, and they were unable to complete the round. The victorious Barleys will be back in a few weeks. - Hovercraft
E2HovercraftThis week saw a remarkable comeback by the Martial Mechanics, proving once again that nothing is certain on Scrapheap. The Krazy Karters were quicker over both land and water in the first two rounds although they were certainly helped by the Martial Mechanics' 30-second penalty for crashing. Round three looked like a formality, but then disaster struck the Karters: their craft was caught in a strong crosswind and lost air pressure, making it considerably slower over the rest of the course. Seizing his chance and holding on to both his nerve and his craft, the Mechanics' Jason snatched victory. - Rapid Fire
E3Rapid FireThis week sees two new teams battling to become the fastest golf-ball guns on the scrapheap. The day started badly for the Clean Sweeps. They discovered that their ball-feeding mechanism was jamming and were forced into a last-minute rethink. Unfortunately this turned out to be just the first of their problems. Round one was a test of speed and accuracy, and the Sweeps struggled on both fronts: their aim was wayward and motor problems reduced their rate of fire. The Boat Buoys on the other hand looked the genuine article, delivering a string of balls into the moving target and shooting themselves into the lead in the process. Round two was designed to test the machines' sheer power: the object was to smash a wall of bathroom tiles. The Sweeps were forced to abandon their erratic motor for a cordless drill and, although they made an impact, they were no match for the blazing firepower of the Boat Buoys. - Blind Navigation
E4Blind NavigationAcademics get stuck in a maze This week the teams have been asked to map uncharted territory. The Hammerlocks, a team of wrestlers from Coventry, and the Academics Anonymous, a team from Kingston University, have to navigate their way around a 'hostile environment' in a vehicle with the windows blacked out. The Academics seemed to start well but they had a major problem: they couldn't tell when all four wheels of their bus were off the ground or when the bus was level, and this cost them valuable time. They failed to negotiate the first turn in the 'maze', lost their bearings and crashed into the side or the course. Tension was high as the Hammerlocks took their turn in the 'maze'. They also had problems: their navigational devices weren't reliable. However, they were able to crawl their way around the course using a giant mechanical 'feeler' and eventually made it to within a stone's throw of their target - and into the next round! - Clockwork Cars
E6Clockwork Cars Jailbreakers do not pass go In round one the Young Ones and the Jailbreakers competed to see who could travel the furthest on just one wind-up charge of their clockwork cars. Lightweight Rich of the Young Ones got off to a cracking start. After peddling frantically, he just kept on going � and going. Jailbreakers' driver Andy was left behind, slowly trundling along until he finally ground to a halt just 16 metres from the start. Round two and time for the slalom challenge. The Young Ones went first with captain Tom in the driving seat. Giving his legs a full work-out, he glided through the course, skilfully avoiding all the obstacles. They had a great run, but could they hold on to their lead after the Jailbreakers had added more rubber power to their machine? The Jailbreakers started steadily, also managing to steer clear of the obstacles. Further up the course they picked up speed and flew towards the finish line. But their final charge held them up, costing them valuable time, and they threw the round away to the Young Ones. The final round was a head-to-head race around the track. The Jailbreakers got away well, while the Young Ones were busy losing crucial seconds charging up their flywheel. The pressure was on, but the Jailbreakers' lead was decreasing as the longer running time of the Young Ones' vehicle began to pay off. And when the rubber on the Jailbreakers' machine started tangling, the fate was sealed for the prison posse. The Young Ones took full advantage and steamed into the lead. Proving that age is not an issue when it comes to bodging on the 'heap, the Young Ones go through to the quarterfinals. But the Jailbreakers do not pass go, do not collect the Scrapheap Trophy, and go straight to jail.
