Judges Hert Eugene Jr. and Dalal Elsheikh talk NBC’s newest series Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge

New series “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” revs up to give passionate car lovers and superfans of Mattel’s Hot Wheels® the opportunity of a lifetime – turning a nostalgic car from their past into the life-sized Hot Wheels of their dreams. Hosted by car afficionado Rutledge Wood, each episode will invite two superfans into the Chrome Zone, where they will face off in transforming an ordinary vehicle into an extraordinary Hot Wheels showstopper, inspired by personal stories and pop culture touchstones. Working alongside a team of automotive magicians known as “The Car Pool,” the two superfans will create their designs in high-tech, decked-out garages. The winner of each episode will take home $25,000 and the chance to get into the finale where three lucky finalists will transform another car in hopes of winning a legendary prize – an additional $50,000 and the honor of having their design made into an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.

Hosted by Rutledge Wood (“Top Gear US,” “Floor Is Lava”), who will also serve as one of the show’s judges, the 10-episode series will give Hot Wheels® superfans the opportunity of a lifetime – turning a nostalgic car from their past into the life-sized Hot Wheels of their dreams. The season-finale winning creation will spin its wheels by launching as an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.

“Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” is an original format developed and produced by Endemol Shine North America in association with Workerbee under license from Mattel Inc. Executive producers are showrunner Tim Warren, along with Andy Thomas, Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre and Michael Heyerman from Endemol Shine North America; Rick Murray and Chris Hale from Workerbee (a Banijay UK Company); and Fred Soulie and Phil Breman from Mattel Television.

Each episode will invite two passionate car fans and Hot Wheels lovers into the Chrome Zone, where they will each face off in transforming an ordinary vehicle into an extraordinary Hot Wheels showstopper, inspired by personal stories and pop culture touchstones. Working alongside a team of automotive magicians known as “The Car Pool,” the two Superfans will create their designs in high-tech, decked-out garages. Raising the stakes of the competition is the Inspirationator 5000, a larger-than-life vending machine that will rev up in each episode to present the Superfans with a twist in the road.

Riding shotgun will be a rotating panel of celebrity guest judges joining resident experts Hertrech (“Hert”) Eugene Jr., an influencer in car culture and the drift scene, and Dalal Elsheikh, designer for the Ford Motor Company and Hot Wheels Brand Ambassador. Wood, Eugene and Elsheikh, along with the celebrity guests, will review the transformations and crown a winner. The winner of each episode will take home $25,000 and the chance to get into the finale, where three lucky finalists will transform another car in hopes of winning a legendary prize – an additional $50,000 and the honor of having their design made into an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.

The Official Black Magazine had the fantastic opportunity to speak with judges Hert Eugene Jr. and Dalal Elsheikh to learn more about the series and what’s been the experience since the premiere of the show.

Cox: Hert Eugene Jr. and Dalal Elsheikh I’m excited to speak with you both about being judges on NBC’s newest show, Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge. This series is funny, and I have already seen how particular you both are as judges on the show regarding completed works by the contestants. I want to know what drew you both in to be part of the show.

Elsheikh: I mean, for me, it was a no-brainer. Hot Wheels is such an iconic brand. It’s something that I grew up with. I love cars and automotive design. It’s what I do full-time in my profession, and to be able to get on a show in front of America and show people what it’s like to make crazy cars was a no-brainer.

Eugene Jr: For me, I’ve been in the automotive industry for almost 20 years now, from sales to hosting automotive content. Then there’s this opportunity to represent Hot Wheels on NBC, so it’s just like Dalal said, a no-brainer. You really can’t say no to an opportunity like this. Plus, my mom gets to see me on TV.

Cox: The show is already getting some really great and positive reviews. Why do you think audiences are hooked?
Eugene Jr: It’s a universal language. We’ve all played with Hot Wheels as kids, whether it was our own or your friends. You were exposed to Hot Wheels in some way. It’s the way Hot Wheels has infected our culture that plays a big part. And I think a little bit of it is because people just love to see transformations. You get to see the finished products during commercials, and you want to know how they got to that point. Plus, everyone gets to see our pretty faces as well, just like in the commercial.

Elsheikh: I think it’s just a super fun show. It’s a show for everyone, not just gearheads. Anyone who likes to be creative, see transformations happening, or hear people’s stories is tuning in.
 
Cox: When you both came in as judges, did you think that you would come in a certain way and be that type of judge?
Elsheikh: I don’t think so. I at least thought to myself that I was going to stick to my strengths. And that’s really about aesthetics and vehicle design. Anything that involves more technical aspects of the car, I was going to defer to people who are experts in it.
 
Eugene Jr.: I was actually worried that I was going to be mean because I’m particular and I like a certain style. I like things a certain way. I mean, even one of the builders called me the mean one, and every episode I’m like, “Oh, you are definitely the mean one.” And that’s because I’m very analytical. I didn’t come up with the idea of being this way or that way. It’s like once you get here, you meet the people and feel the vibe, but you must remove yourself from that and stick to the judging criteria. You must stay true to yourself in this position but also appreciate the things that are being built in front of you.

Cox: How is the experience for you both viewing these people live out a childhood fantasy in front of you?
Elsheikh: Honestly, sometimes I’m so jealous. I’m like I wish I was the person who got to design this really wild vehicle. It’s because I work in corporate, and I don’t get that much freedom, whereas on this show, the sky’s the limit. They can do anything, so I just get really pumped at the beginning of every episode.

Eugene Jr.: It’s really cool watching, and the best part is when we reveal the cars to the people. You get to see their reactions to it, and I know what it’s like to take something from your head and apply it to a car. You get that result and are so happy with it. And on top of that, they are getting to experience a feeling from a special childhood memory. It was really cool watching everyone just revel in their accomplishments.

Cox: Do you both have moments where you wish you could tell the contestants not to do this or that to the car before it starts being designed and finished?
Eugene Jr.: (Laughs) Every episode.
 
Elsheikh: Right! There was this one moment in particular when someone was doing something to the interior of the car. We hadn’t gotten to it yet with them, and we wanted to go back and tell them not to do it. But once we got to the garage, it was too late; it was already done. It was too late.

Eugene Jr.: Yeah, there’s a lot of that.
 
Cox: When it comes to particulars in design, what’s something you both look for when it comes to the individual?
Elsheikh: I would say be true to yourself. Tell us about yourself and your background. I want to know what your connection is to this car and how you felt when you were in it. And that’s whether you were driving it or riding it as a kid. I want to see that idea that you had as a kid or whatever really come to life throughout that process.

Eugene Jr.: I mean, the selfish answer for me is to slam it, paint it really cool, and put some cool wheels on it. But I completely removed a big part of myself because the judging criteria is really good. You know, what makes a Hot Wheel isn’t what I like or what Dalal likes. And there is so much more that goes into a hot wheel than the simple things that we do to cars, from imagination to execution.

Overall, there are just so many vibes that you have to mesh to make a real Hot Wheel, so just go wild.

Cox: When it comes to the ideas and execution of the contestants, is there ever a time where less is more or just go for it?
Eugene Jr: I mean, a lot of that plays off what’s in your head because less is only more when less is a lot. Hot Wheels have a ton of exaggerated features, big features, exposed engines, and loud paint. You have to know how your Hot Wheel is going to express itself in a special way. So less isn’t necessarily more, but it all depends on your idea.

Elsheikh: For sure, I think bigger is better. We’ve seen on the show that doing a lot usually helps you out. But It’s not just about the visual aspects of the car. We see a lot of them do something cool performatively. In the first episode, we saw Jim’s car hit the wheelie, which pushed him over the edge, and he won. So, when it comes to more being more, it’s not just aesthetically pleasing but also about performance.

Eugene Jr.: It’s really simple for anyone. Do as much as you want to do, but make sure it makes sense. You can throw everything at these cars as long as it means something. If you’re just doing stuff to do it, that’s when you’re starting to go off.

Cox: If you both were contestants, what would your Hot Wheels fantasy car be on the show?
Elsheikh: Mine would be something boxy, like straight from an 80s movie.

Eugene Jr: Based on what I’ve seen on the show and what I’ve judged, I would probably lose with my fantasy car. I love a 70’s or 80’s car that’s slammed to the ground with a wild body kit, big wheels, and big paint. And I wouldn’t focus on the things that make Hot Wheels Hot Wheels. I wouldn’t overexaggerate a lot of features. But I think I would still build a really cool car that a lot of people would like.