It was filmed in the United Kingdom with a budget of approx £6.5 million on location at the disused Richborough Power Station just outside Sandwich in Kent.
The teams were all given 1 month and $3000 USD (exchanged to their country's respective currency) to build a vehicle that "could withstand anything."
Cars ended up being loud, noisy, big, and destructive (qualities relished by the show's co-host, Henry Rollins).
In the first round, there were 9 heats, each of which involved one machine from the United Kingdom, one from North America, and one from another country (Chile, India, Australia, China, Iceland, Germany, Russia, South Africa and New Zealand).
After all the events were complete, the team with the lowest score had to watch their car blow up, though it was feigned for effect.
Teams begin on the outside of a giant hexagon maze with reflective walls and attempt to drive to the center marked by the FMC logo.
Finding a clear path can prove difficult as some walls are allowed to rotate, changing the layout of the maze.
Teams are allowed to watch a monitor with an overhead look at the maze and can communicate directions to the driving teammate.
Teams maneuver to red hydrants scattered around the course and in order to continue, the car must complete a 360-degree turn in reverse around it.
Ten seconds are assessed in penalties for failing to complete a circle or for knocking signs or people over, fastest time wins the event.
If teams cannot finish and it results in a tie, whoever climbed up the hill closest to the center sign wins.
Teams are lined up at the start and must complete two laps of the course, covered in multiple jumps, ponds, and hay bale walls.
Water, sand, barbed wire, tire spikes and other devices were included to make the possibility of breakdown more likely.