Thought I'd make a 12-team cast archetype list & accompanied route again:
M/M
Grandfathers (early 60s-mid 70s) - Not like your typical grandpas, they are physically fit and cutthroat in competition. Pro bodybuilding past suggestable (think Arnold Schwarzenegger). Will pull the flirting card to get ahead and make young locals from different countries hilariously swoon over elderly men. Very reliable and loyal in general with a prophetic sense of travel, culture, fitness, and food.
Co-entrepreneur brothers (30s) - Business owners of a wish-to-be franchise (that nobody's ever heard of) who are left-brained masters. A tough exterior, but under no circumstance would they be brave enough to do uncomfortable things. They finagle their way out of stuff instead of owning up to their duties. Likely to make each other suffer for their mistakes by dragging out their frustrations pettily.
F/F
EMTs-in-training (early 20s) - The dutchesses of the ambulance! Somewhat overconfident to the point they come off as brash. Are highly skilled in multiple activities and are knowledgeable with world traveling with little experience outside of the States. Come off as incredibly emotional (think TAR29 Brooke + TAR13 Kelly & Christy) whenever their knowledge backfires and gets the best of them. Counting on them to make memorable quotes for titles.
Street artists (late 20s-early 30s) - Urban graffiti enthusiasts who know how to go above and beyond to display well-finished commissioned and public art, climbing walls, traversing ledges, hanging off of lampposts, whatever. Not taggers. Perhaps a little loud and obnoxious in intense situations, but not incredibly overbearing.
Upstate debutantes (early 20s) - Wealthy bachelorettes from Upstate NY. Must have attended fancy cotillions, but are very outgoing and natural within different social environments and less-than-desirable places. Super energetic and entertaining during travel shenanigans with quite a voice together to get their points across.
(M/F)
Dating couple 1 (early 20s & early 30s) - A college graduate from a semi-well known university with a normal stable job dating a tarot reader/hotel bookkeeper/Uber driver/hustler. Who knows what they're gonna bring to the table?!!?
Dating couple 2 (mid-20s) - Quirky podcasting duo who deliver up-to-date news and coverage of pop culture, international affairs, and making entertaining games. Likely the annoying phonies of the season who play to the cameras. They think - emphasize on THINK - they are highly educated and hold a moral high ground by their communications degree and tenancy on radio shows. Nice couple in general with pushy tendencies.
Dating couple 3 (mid-20s) - Interracial couple of a Samoan woman and Alaskan-born man. Quarrelers, but forgive quickly afterward. One is very artistic while the other relies on practicality. They are a disaster in timed situations.
Exes (late 50s) - 50, but still act like 5-year olds on the edit. With the goal of trying out their relationship one more time to prove their family and friends wrong, their plan backfires and they show zero respect, sympathy, or compassion for each other's mistakes and wrongdoings. Voice-crack type of arguers and excessive criers. Hates on local people from different countries for their own mistakes. RFFers and Facebook users would all concur: "The ultimate nightmare team in TAR history"
Married couple (mid 40s) - Russian-American farming immigrants with a distinct dialect who moved to the big city to pursue a new life. Have an extensive photobook proof of their international backpacking vacations. Are mechanically and digitally prepared to handle anything on the race. Their weakness is navigation (think Charla & Mirna), but are incredibly entertaining, perhaps overdramatic, on their way to route markers. Bickerers.
Stepsiblings (late 20s or mid 30s) - Brother and sister duo formed from the foster care system and are the epitome of pure. Sibling rivalry existant, and both are competitive athletically. Experienced emotional trauma and are able to sympathize and empathize for the world around them.
Uncle/niece (late 40s & 21) - Fan-favorite types who are incredibly genuine and entertaining. A rough past and reconnection brought this team together. Uncle or niece has a physical disability that proves to be an advantage for themselves. Adventure-seeking and shows support through tough love similar to a coach during tasks, and aim to be highly competitive on the race.
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STARTING LINE: Imperial Sand Dunes in Brawley, CA
Starting line elimination task: Unearth dune buggy wheels to clear a driveway out of their sand pit. Steer the buggy over the dune and in the direction of a digital board displaying 100 car door keypad combinations, only 11 of these unique codes could open one of the cars on the lot in order for teams to get their next clue in the driver seat window. After every five minutes, the codes would change in position on the board, some taken off and some added in, but the trick to succeeding is only the combos staying on the board are the real ones. Last team remaining without a car is "stranded" in the desert, eliminating them from the race.
Leg 1 (United States --> India) | San Diego to Delhi, train to Jaipur
Leg 2 (India --> Kuwait) | flight to Kuwait City
Leg 3 (Kuwait --> North Macedonia) | flight to Skopje
Leg 4 (North Macedonia --> Sweden --> Denmark) | flight to Gothenburg, ferry to Frederikshavn
Leg 5 (Denmark) | self-drive through Jutland Peninsula, ferry to Zealand peninsula (Copenhagen Pit Stop)
Leg 6 (Denmark --> São Tomé and Principe) | flight to Sao Tome
Leg 7 (São Tomé and Principe --> Portugal) | flight to Lisbon
Leg 8 (Portugal --> Bolivia) | flight to La Paz
Leg 9 (Bolivia --> Peru) | to Lake Titicaca area
Leg 10 (Peru) | bus to Cusco
Leg 11 (Peru --> Easter Island, Chile) | flight to Easter Island
Leg 12 (Easter Island, Chile --> United States) | flight to Nashville, TN
FINISH LINE: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens