So we found this 10-minute “sizzle reel” for a reality TV show pilot called, “Shifters USA”. The show follows a group of southern stick shift drag racers as they compete at Farmington Dragway in North Carolina. Now, normally you’d read the words “reality show pilot” and shoot holes in your computer with a pistol, but we strongly recommend against that. Not because you’ll like this show, but because you won’t be able to read all the goodness BangShift has to offer each day.
There’s some campy stuff in here, but overall we think that the show is decent and the premise for the climax of the story has a pretty good premise behind it. Perhaps we’re just blinded by all of the cool gear jamming stick shift drag cars that we see during the 10-minute pilot, but there’s a lot worst crap on TV than this show currently.
Press play below, meet the characters, watch some racing, pay attention to the story line, and tell us what you think! Does this show suck or is it a good watch? Would you watch it every week? Is there anything cooler than a wheelstanding ’55 Chevy with a 4-gear in it? These are all questions that need answers!
Press play below to watch the pilot for a potential show called, “Shifters USA”
since the NASCAR channel – oops, SPEED Channel won’t give us any new Pass Time episodes, I’m starving for some grass roots drag racing TV – even better with just stick cars. Hell yes I’d watch it!
Gene Phillips Co- Creator “Shifters USA”
Sunday 10/7/12
Today we became aware of Bangshift.com picking up our sizzle reel from You Tube for viewing and comments by you folks. Thank you for your constructive and overall positive feedback comments. I hope they can keep this survey going on the site. We appreciate the opportunity they have given us. for exposure and feedback.
I posted a comment further down this page to briefly explain our motives for the show and answer to a few comments.
We also noticed that our views on You Tube went to 500 per day in the last 3 days.
If we can get enough support to get a show.. we promise a winner for you viewers.
We are attempting to get with a number of networks thru our TV partner contacts.
If you feel strongly enough about helping get this show on weekly please take a minute and click on the link I have below and tell SPEED Channel. to put us on. We would be a perfect fit for them.
Thank you all again, and please share this video on facebook with your friends.
http://www.speedtv.com/feedback/
As long as they keep the clutchless trans away-hell yea! Thats why I left drag racing in the 70’s.
Very cool. Real 4 speeds is some good racing.
Yes, I’d watch a show about this form of racing, but only if they fired the announcer and replaced him with someone who wasn’t trying to sound quite so “cool”.
His over inflected delivery is annoying.
Oh and if you use the phrase “separate the men from the boys” then cut to a clip showing a group of African American men watching the racing, you might cause a few eyebrows to go up in South Carolina.
“Boy” used to be a derogatory manner in which to refer to Negro men.
Yeah, that was a HORRIBLE edit!
And there’s too many thick Southern accents . . . don’t people race stick cars in other parts of the country.
Fastlane Automotive Stick Shift Series In Morrison, CO at Bandimere Speedway. 7.50 & Slower. No electronics, 0.500 full tree, dial-your-own eliminations, breakout rules apply. Must leave with a foot-activated clutch. No all-wheel/front-wheel drive vehicles. No diesel-powered entries.
Hey,
I’m sorry if anyone was offended by the comment. Everything in the pilot is real . Those guys were in the stands and it wasn’t a put-up deal. I have to admit, my editor kinda missed the boat . I hope you liked it otherwise.By the way the Camaro has an H pattern shifter in it.( real old school!) thanks for watching and the comment.. Kurt Huntington
Seriously? If a thought that stupid ever entered my head, i’d jump off a cliff.
These guys bust their humps and put together an awsome show, and you are wringing your hands over some imaginary racist boogy man? People like you are what is wrong with our country today. Get a life and quit worrying about stupid stuff.
This is so COOL!!
would be watching that one!! Damn Good!
I’ll watch. I just hope they don’t screw it up.
LOVE IT. Man this would be fantastic ! I know plenty that would watch. Farmington is my favorite short track anyway which made this all the better.
The intro alone is worth watching the show weekly! As long as they stick to a steady stream of racing, drivers, and cars, I’m in. NO DRAMA PLEASE!! I don’t care about what they do with their wives during the week. None of the “two days to build a car from scratch to race this weekend” crap either. Keep it old school.
But when will they have DF and Finn trying to powershift some old three-on-the-tree mauler (Read: barely running, rusty econobox) they hauled out of some backyard . . . Oh wait, that’s “Roadkill” . . . Never mind.
I’m all for more grassroots “three-pedal” race cars on TV.
OH HECK YEAH !! PLEASE put this show on the tube !!!!
I did not even know stick shift was segregated.
Hell Yeah! I’d watch it! If only to see Mike Boyles ’57 Chevy!
This would be outstanding..and there is getting to be several stick shift organizations.
UMTR..united manual transmission racers in Ohio.Pro Stick racers in Penn. Ozark Mountian Super Shifters…And there is talk of a big purse stick race in 2013 with many groups coming together..rumor is it will be at Bristol
Nothing wrong about a southern accent, looks like it would be agood show.
Agreed, Southern Accent is fine, but that wasn’t a Southern accent. That was Announcer Speak!, Yes it was! and Yes! it’s tacky as hell!
fantastic…when’s the first episode?
Awesome…this would definitely help to pass the snowy winters.
Racing like this can only help the sport…and it needs all the help it can get.
Very well done.
I would watch this for sure.
I would watch it as long as they leave any drama bullshit out of it.
75Duster said it!!! No Drama!!! Just racing!!! I’m tired of all the fake unrealistic crap on tv. Just let the camera run and show us the footage.
Less talking, more cars, and more racing! And absolutely NO DRAMA!
I would watch.
Gene Phillips – Co-Creator- “Shifters USA”
Kurt and I started stick car racing in the early ‘70’s. Our love for the sport and this form of drag racing is what is behind this show to begin with. There has never been a great drag racing show produced. Pinks came close, but lost it with to much theatrics, drama, controversy and sand bagging. We just want to produce exciting and high quality drag racing to share with racers, existing fans and folks who just want to see fresh entertaining television. The in car camera shots, wheelstands and the “Clash for Cash” is our idea of “Drama”. We have worked on this concept for a few years and are confident we have the people, the story lines, and the production entities in place and ready to go. We have the first 3 seasons worth of great stick car racing shows already outlined. If you folks would truly like this to be on weekly..help us go semi-viral with this venue or facebook..or anywhere so we can get a networks attention. We have links on our You Tube “Shifters USA” sizzle video to speed and some other networks to comment.
Thanks…Gene Phillips email: [email protected]
The sizzle was geared toward showing TV people a capability of having a story line. We saw things after editing we could have done better. The men and boys thing had no malicious intent whatsoever. We had a lot of more interview stuff so TV people would have some background on this form of drag racing. The announcer was a one time deal.
The show would be shot in the South, East, and Midwest to begin with and spread from there. These areas are thick with great stick car organizations, and logistically it is beat for us to make happen. Any way you can help us get the word out and get an audience..We promise to deliver a show you will look for ward to watching every week.
Kurt Huntington and Gene Phillips
Gene, I wish you luck with the show, and I hope you get a network to support it as I would definitly be a viewer.
This is long overdue. Keep out the drama and you’ll have a definite winner!
Gene,
I truly believe that your show would give us “Grass Roots” drag racing and it would be a tribute to the “Little Guy”
Jim
Hey Speedy,
I’m from NE Iowa,so I guess I’m a ” good ole boy” transplant. My home track was Neita Raceway near Cedar Falls Ia.We all had 4 speeds back then. I never drove a glide till I moved down here 13 years ago.That Red Camaro and I have been together for many years.Had a glide in it for 1/2 a pass. Nearly threw up and took it out.
Don’t worry, the show will be in filmed all parts of the country. KH.
Yes I’d watch.
I watch Pass Time when I can — I work shifts and my recording equip only goes to ch#70 — Speed channel in my area is ch#81.
Have no interest in Pinks aside from seeing some cool cars.
Frank
Yes, I’d watch.