Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour Returns to the UK in Search of Iconic Cars
LONDON (28th May, 2024) – The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is back in the UK for 2024, offering car enthusiasts the chance to see their vehicle immortalized in 1:64 scale. The winning car will join the prestigious Hot Wheels Garage of Legends, a testament to its exceptional design and appeal.
This year, the tour has partnered with SlammedUK’s Gravity Show, hosting the final judging event at the NEC in Birmingham on August 24 and 25. Esteemed Hot Wheels designer Craig Callum will lead the panel of judges as they assess the top three finalists. The UK winner will then advance to the Global Semi-Final on November 2 and potentially to the Global Grand Finale on November 11, competing for the opportunity to have their car turned into a die-cast model enjoyed by fans worldwide.
Celebrating its seventh year, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour continues to be a cornerstone of the global car community. The tour expands its reach in 2024 with new stops in the UAE and Colombia. Last year, Chimera, a modified Mazda MX-5 from New Zealand, captured the global title, exemplifying the creativity and craftsmanship the tour seeks.
For the third year running, a UK contestant will compete at the global level, building on the success of Michael Wallhead’s MG-Beast in 2023 and Lee Johnstone’s 1969 Volvo P1800 gasser in 2021, the latter marking the first non-US car to win the competition. This track record underscores the UK’s significant influence in the world of car culture.
The judging criteria remain focused on authenticity, creativity, and ‘garage spirit.’ Hot Wheels seeks extreme, trendsetting vehicles that stand out, crafted with dedication and passion. Judges will reward evidence of the builders’ hard work, from early mornings to late nights. Additionally, an online fan vote via the show’s website will fast track one entrant to the UK final.
Ted Wu, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Design for Vehicles at Mattel, expressed his enthusiasm: “The dedication and enthusiasm we see at Hot Wheels Legends Tour events around the world keep us motivated to build on the tour every year to find more ways to celebrate custom car builders and their drive to become legendary. The UK always blows us away with unique cars that are worthy of being recreated as Hot Wheels. From sleeper classics from the 60s and 70s, wild one-off customs, iconic race cars to the latest dramatic modified supercars, the sheer diversity and quality make the UK final a tough judgement but always offer true legends.”
To enter, participants need to submit a short video and a brief description of their vehicle’s creativity, authenticity, and ‘garage spirit’ at www.hotwheelsuklegendstour.co.uk by July 5. Entries can be new or classic, road or track cars, with the winner earning a spot in the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends, securing a lasting legacy in the global car community.
The 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour UK is proudly supported by Smyths Toys, Falken Tyres, and Yuasa.
For more information about the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in the UK, visit www.hotwheelsuklegendstour.co.uk and follow #HotWheelsLegendsTour.
Hot Wheels Facts
- Hot Wheels is the leading die-cast brand in the UK, available at Smyths Toys, The Entertainer, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco, and independent toy shops.
- Founded in 1968, Hot Wheels is the number one selling toy worldwide, with over 16 cars sold every second.
- Hot Wheels continues to influence car culture, inspiring designers, builders, and tuners.
- Hot Wheels embodies the challenger spirit, a legacy of its founder Elliot Handler.
- The original design team included a car designer and a rocket scientist, tasked with creating a cooler and better-performing toy car than the competition.
- The inaugural set, ‘Sweet 16,’ is highly coveted today, featuring a mix of custom cars and rods.
- Over eight billion Hot Wheels cars have been sold to date.
- The most valuable Hot Wheels car is the ‘Beach Bomb’ VW bus in pink, valued at $150,000.
- In 2022, Hot Wheels announced the development of a new live-action movie.
