How does The Race function? A combination of a treasure hunt and a rally race, it eliminates teams on the basis of the last team reaching a given checkpoint. The race starts in a particular city, and the teams are given clues and instructions to reach checkpoints in places around Asia. The race ends at the spot where it began.
The criteria to participate in the show are that both participants should be above 21, and should know each other well. They should have proper international driving license, passport and travel documents. Participants should know how to speak English. Contestants must be citizens of Asia, or non-Asians working and/or living in Asia.
And where does all this treasure lead? Well, the whopping prize money of $100, 000.
Out of the many applicants, the only two people who got selected from India are models Prashant Raj Sachdev (left) and Sahil Shroff.
Prashant was always very interested in the show and followed it regularly, and when he came to know about the show coming to Asia, he promptly called Sahil who he knows for the last five years. They both prepared their audition tape and mailed it in. They received a call from the agency and had to give a written exam, a medical test, an interview in front of a panel, and an interview with a psychologist -- within ten days they were confirmed on the show.
Other participants include teams from Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
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With the race yet to be telecast, Sahil and Prashant were bound to complete secrecy. Which means they weren't even allowed to tell their family where they were going!
"Every task that you do is under surveillance, and every aspect is covered well," said Sahil. "We are legally covered. Those people were well organised. I left home on the pretext of going for a modelling assignment. And the main thing is that at this age, you don't think about all this -- you just like to take challenges!"
During the race they came across helpful people. Fortunately, Sahil and Prashant didn't face any hardcore troubles or accidents like participants in the past, but they were completely drained out doing certain tasks they got sunburns, and went without water, getting absolutely dehydrated.
With stakes this high, was the competition healthy? "We got along with almost all the teams," said Prashant, "other than the Indonesian team and the team from Thailand, who tried to undermine us and act smart with us. They tried to trick us."
Speaking about differences between the Asian and American version of the show, Prashant said, "being Asians we know how to handle ourselves better. We are more cultured. In the American show, the participants were always fighting, but at least we all made a good impression."
Who wins? Were the Indians eliminated early? Prashant and Sahil's lips are sealed.
The Amazing Race Asia starts Thursday, November 9 at 9 pm, exclusively on AXN.
Text: Patcy N