Fast Cars & Superstars: Tony Hawk

CONCORD, N.C. – Given his history, the longtime king of extreme sports was one of the media’s picks to win Gillette’s “Fast Cars & Superstars” reality show, of which Cars.com is a sponsor. Still, Tony Hawk seemed to respect both the dangers involved with racecar driving and his opponents, many of whom were also veteran athletes known for their success. Yet after his drive-along, he radiated calm and competitiveness. The show begins airing June 7 on ABC.

You’re a veteran of a lot of extreme sports. How does this compare?

“This is really exciting. I mean, it’s a whole different level of competition, and I’ve never really been like a racer.”

Most of what you’ve done has been non-motorized before.

“Yeah, and it wasn’t about racing; it was more subjective. So when I was asked to do this, I was really excited. I can see that there’s all these athletes here and they’re already super-competitive with themselves. And so they’re definitely going to want to win this thing.”

As do you…

“Well, yeah. To be honest, I want to know that I pushed it as fast as I was comfortable with, or even outside that comfort zone, but not so much to put me or everyone else in danger. If I feel like I really pushed that limit, then I’ll be happy.”

What was your first car?

“I had a ‘77 Honda Civic CVCC that I bought from my dad for $1,000. He had it painted red in Tijuana, Mexico, for my birthday.”

Excellent. How long did you hang on to it?

“I had it for probably about a year-and-a-half, two years until all this white smoke started billowing out of it. And then I had enough money to buy a new Civic.”

So what do you drive today?

“I drive a Jeep Commander and a Jeep SRT8.”

Are your kids getting close to driving age?

“My 14-year-old son, yeah.”

What are you thinking about for him in the future? A ‘77 Civic, maybe?

“No. Something safe. Something that has airbags at least; something of that era. [laughs]”

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