Teams

TORPEDO1

Garage Headquarters: North Hollywood, CA

Driver: To Be Announced

Mechanics: Nick Hansen, Andy Janzen, Drew Rhode, Ryan Sanderson, Blair Whorf

Nuts and Bolts:

"Silent but deadly," says Ryan Sanderson obliquely. "It's not just our team motto – it's a way of life." Sanderson is a trained artist who, as the sole proprietor of a company called Heroic Props & Scenery, has been making a living in the service of the Hollywood film industry since he graduated from art school a decade ago. "I have a shop stuffed with enough tools and materials to build just about anything, and I'll be responsible for the sweet-ass design of our ride," he comments.

That "silent but deadly" vehicle, christened "Torpedo One," is being engineered in fiberglass and aluminum by Andy Janzen, an experienced fabricator who has built hot rods, custom sleds, and choppers. Also on the team is Drew Rhode, who Sanderson describes as the group's "resident extreme sportster" (he's a mountain bike fanatic who has never met a ramp or a ledge he didn't like). Rounding out the Los Angeles–based crew are Nick Hansen and Blair Whorf. All five teammates are serious – silent but deadly serious – about going as fast as possible, and about having some big-time fun in the process. Sanderson breaks the silence to insist confidently, "You should start polishing our trophy."