‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett is one of the judges ready to cast their eye over the best and wildest builds across New Zealand as the Hot Wheels Legends Tour comes to our shores for the first time.
Geared for April 2021, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour will allow custom car enthusiasts from Australia and New Zealand to compete in individual livestreams for their chance to have their custom fan car immortalised as a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast model.
Since its launch in 2018 to celebrate Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour has grown from an American-based series of local Walmart events across the United States to the worlds largest travelling car show. Bringing in builders and automotive fans through both virtual and live events that now spans 14 countries and five continents.
MARK TAYLOR/Waikato Times
Mad Mike is one of the New Zealand judges for the first Australasian running of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.
Jacinta Whitehead, Marketing Director ANZ, Mattel says: In 2021, were delighted the famed Hot Wheels Legends Tour will be navigating its way (virtually) across both Australia and New Zealand. This will give Hot Wheels devotees, both young and old, the chance to see their custom vehicle rolled out on shelves across the world.
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Mad Mike told Stuff that hes really excited to see what Kiwi carbuilders and customisers come up with for the Tour.
The winner of the 2019 Legends Tour. It almost looks like the real car is a Hot Wheels car made bigger.
We have a really unique style in creating custom cars were lucky in New Zealand in that we have access to all sorts of cars, from Rowdy Rotary Mazdas to hot rods, lowriders, JDM, American muscle, Ford vs Holden… in New Zealand the rivalry runs thick, so we have plenty of epic examples that I cant wait to see and judge.
Its not the badge on the front, its the story, the character, the workmanship and the fun a custom vehicle brings that will allow them to claim the title.
Were also lucky in that our laws regarding vehicle customisation are quite accommodating. You can do almost anything as long as its safe and properly certified, meaning most of these builds arent just show cars. Its certainly possible to see them out on the road.
Kiwis have what it takes to do well in the Legends Tour, for sure!
Entries are open now on the Hot Wheels Legends Tour website and close on the 8th of April. The Tour itself will be streamed on the official Facebook page on Thursday, April 15th.