Gearhead Gladiators

Named by the natives as 'shovels', these custom built sleds are designed to scream down an icy slope at white-knuckle speeds. Each year, crowds gather on the legendary slopes of Angel Fire, New Mexico, for the annual super-modified snow shovel races. For much of its history, the sport has been dominated by the Hunt Brothers, Angel Fire locals who are determined to add another world championship to their shovel resume. Looking to one-up the Hunts are Albuquerque's Junior Baxter, and his stockcar-racing buddy J.R. Fanelli. Junior and J.R. are putting their engineering skills on the line against the Hunt Boy's backwoods know-how. Both teams know that when their shovels are released at the top of the slope, all their work in the shop will be put to the ultimate test.

Naples Florida: a Mecca of retirement villages and well-groomed golf courses. Three times a year drivers and fans alike gather at the Mile 'O Mud to watch swamp buggies battle. Naples native Leonard Chesser, known as the Godfather of swamp buggy racing, has pioneered the sport for more than three decades. Most buggies competing are equipped with technology Leonard engineered. His daughter Amy, nephew Eddie and racing newcomer Troy Ortega represent a new generation of swamp buggy racers. While Amy and Eddie use old school methods, Troy's buggy, Terminator 3, is equipped with a newly-designed, independent suspension system and super-light chrome-moly chassis. Will old school buggies prevail, or is there a new breed of unbeatable buggies on the swampy horizon?

Scottsburg, Indiana, plays host to the 2004 annual showdown of the nation's best trike pilots. At the U.S. Microlight National Championships, Jack McCornack, the mad scientist of ultralight aviation, hopes his latest winged creation will help him out-fly competitors like Don Cooney. Don builds the Prowler line of competition trikes, and this year, he's customizing one of his Prowlers for skilled pilot Dave Hempy. Don and Dave have the latest in trike technology on their side, while Jack is left rummaging through scrap piles to construct his trike. But will the Prowler's high-tech components hold up under the demands of competition?