I’m thrilled to share my incredible journey with you – a journey that led me to create the vibrant and symbolic “Jaipur Jewel” Hot Wheels van. I’m Arushi Garg, a full-time digital creator, “The Snazzy Mom,” (Follow me on Instagram) based in Houston, and this experience has been nothing short of a dream come true.

As a child born in India, my heart yearned to bring a piece of my homeland and cherished memories to life. When the opportunity to participate in the “Hot Wheels Ultimate Challenge” presented itself, I knew I had to take it. I set out to transform a 1980’s Suzuki Maruti Omni van, originally made exclusively for the Indian market, into a striking homage to my roots.

If you haven’t seen the episode on NBC or streamed it on Peacocok, you can the You Tube special of my winning build here

The journey began with the remembrance of my first family car, the very same van I replicated. It was a tribute to my father, who left this world when I was just 14. Sharing the emotions tied to my dad was both unexpected and cathartic. I had kept my pain locked away for years, but as the van took shape, I found the courage to open up and share my memories with millions.

The Jaipur Jewel became more than just a flashy Hot Wheels design; it became a canvas for my culture and identity. Jaipur, the “Pink City” of Rajasthan, is where I grew up, and it holds a special place in my heart. I wanted to portray my immigrant life, bringing a sense of home to the American screen through this creation.

Growing up in India, Hot Wheels cars were a luxury most people couldn’t afford, but I was captivated by them. While other kids played with dolls, I always preferred cars – a preference that stayed with me even after moving to Houston with my husband 12 years ago. Here, I rediscovered my love for cars and appreciated the thriving car culture, especially at events like “Coffee and Cars.”

My 7-year-old son, Vir, played a significant role in inspiring this project. He’s an avid Hot Wheels fan, and his passion for these tiny die-cast cars ignited a spark within me. Seeing his eyes light up with excitement made me realize how significant this project was beyond just a competition. It became an opportunity to break barriers and represent women, people of color, immigrants, and moms in a male-dominated car culture.

Participating in the show was an unforgettable experience. Winning $25,000 and the possibility of a spot in the finale brought me immense joy and validation. But the true reward was the pride my son felt in seeing his mom take on such a massive and crazy challenge. I couldnt have done this without my amazing car poolers Michael Sciortino , Claudia La Bianca and Sam Brackley!! Follow them on Instagram and check out their pages.

As I share this account with you, I hope it inspires you to chase your dreams, embrace your heritage, and never let anyone define what you can or cannot achieve. We all have the power to be trailblazers and break stereotypes, just like I did with my Hot Wheels creation!

Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and until next time, keep dreaming big and creating from the heart!

Also I cant believe I finally got to meet Sung Kang aka Han from the Fast & Furious Franchise.

With love and gratitude,

Arushi Garg (The Snazzy Mom)