The Race 2 is a production of ICTV that’s structured similarly to The Amazing Race. Watch The Race 2 online.
In episode 1, we were introduced to the teams. Dave & Matt are one of the better racing duos I’ve seen, and their ability to be funny in the process helps make them likeable even when they’re being cutthroat, though that won’t buy them many friends on the race. Kristiyan & Nick decided they hated Dave & Matt’s guts and other internal organs. Behind them, there were a few middle of the road teams, followed by two horrible teams, one of which was the first boot: Nick & Chris.
That sets up episode 2 with 7 teams left. Teams leave for their next destination, Gary’s U-Pull It in Kirkwood, in the order in which they arrived at the pitstop:
First: Dave & Matt
Second: Kristiyan & Nick
Third: Jon & Jenna
Fourth: Sadie & Ginalola
Fifth: Hal & Matilda
Sixth: Daniel & Jeff
Seventh: Drew & Vanessa
Dave & Matt pick up where they left off and are apparently the kind of drivers who consider the sidewalk to be a passing lane. Kristiyan and Nick also pick up where they left off, as Nick calls the police and inquires about the process of reporting a littering violation. Are these guys for real? The cops refuse to help because it’s a frivolous complaint.
When Dave & Matt get to the challenge, they grab some paint and hair and proceed to stick it to the other people’s clues, a move that will surely draw more animosity from the others. Teams must find three car parts in a junkyard. Sadie & Ginalola show up about 1 part behind, followed by Jon & Jenna an additional part behind. Hal & Matilda show up in fourth as Dave & Matt are leaving, followed by Daniel & Jeff. Kristiyan & Nick got a bit lost and show up as Dave & Matt are driving away, and Drew & Vanessa are right behind. So it’s a pretty tight race at this point. About half the teams are able to get assistance from a young kid eager to help, which may put the teams that got there after at a disadvantage. Hal & Matilda lose the most time on this task and leave in last place.
From there, teams must return to Binghamton. The challenge there is to go to shops on Antiques Row and identify the most valuable items in display cases at each store, then visit a historian to verify their selections. They must keep going until they pick the correct items. On the way to the store, Kristiyan realizes that worrying about the other team is silly and hindering them. When they get to one of the shops, they block someone in intentionally, a smart move, but exactly the type of move they’ve been complaining about.
Jon & Jenna are correct on their second visit to the historian and take the lead. Dave & Matt are immediately behind on their third visit. Sadie & Ginalola finally get it on their fourth try. Daniel & Jeff are correct on their second try, as are Drew & Vanessa and Hal & Matilda. Kristiyan & Nick are bringing up the rear and get it on their third visit.
Teams must then go to the Court St bridge, where they’re given the task of convincing three strangers on the street to trade shoelaces with them. Dave & Matt come up with the idea of paying people a couple bucks to get them to cooperate. Probably not necessary, but it will save them a bit of time. Though they then realize they don’t actually have the money to pay, so they take off. Once the first two teams are done, it starts raining. The rain doesn’t last long but does have the potential to make it more difficult since everything’s wet.
The pitstop is Park Diner in Binghamton.
First: Jon & Jenna
Second: Dave & Matt
Third: Ginalola & Sadie
Fourth: Drew & Vanessa
Fifth: Daniel & Jeff
Sixth: Hal & Matilda
Seventh: Kristiyan & Nick (eliminated)
Kristiyan & Nick went from second to last. I do think they expended way too much energy worrying about Dave & Matt that necessary. Drew & Vanessa pulled it together and performed a lot better than I’d expected. It still looks like a three horse race between the frontrunners, though.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of The Race 2 episode 3, which airs Wednesday at 9:30/8:30c on ICTV and via live webstream, with the video on demand version available on Thursday.