Last night's Top Gear

[DavidH]

Surprised no-one started a topic like this before, this way one topic can last for the entire series.

Anyway, great show last night, The Enzo is just great (my favourite car in PGR2 by the way). However the F40 gives it a close run for it's money, don't like the Carrera GT and the McLaren F1 really, will anything beat the Enzo's lap time this/next year ? don't think so.

The new Focus looked a bit like the Megane with it's big boot (and a*se to match), give me the new Astra anyday.

[Sarkster]

Im still a sucker for the XJ220 personally.

No, i cant see anything touching the enzo laptime, Especially considering the stig was prolly only giving it 95%, not wanting to put dents in a £500k sportscar.

[DavidH]

yeah the XJ is great, the only year I've been to the Motor Show was 1988 and they had the F40 and XJ220 there :) and the new Cavalier but that's not quite in the same league is it.

[Mad Gear]

Is this repeated?

[rjpageuk]

Was an excellent show.

The F40 really is something special though - 18 years on and it still looks completely fantastic.

[DavidH]

Is this repeated?

think it might be late one night on BBC2 or sometime on BBC3 ? you'll have to check the TV mags.

And Rob, I think the front of the F40 looks a "bit" like the Nissan 300ZX and the rear is just awesome, spoilertastic.

[Hodge]

The Enzo looked fantastic and is my personal fav on gotham aswell. Have been waiting a fair while for top gear to get hold of one to see how well it competes against the rest of the supercars. Quite suprised to see clarkson say he would take home the F40 instead of the enzo even though i really like the F40 aswell. Will anything beat the enzo`s lap time? Well this might

Koenigsegg CCR. They lapped the standard koenigsegg but this one is meant to be a fair bit faster.
http://www.tuningnews.net/news/040302e/pic.php?id=05

[kona]

It's on again at 23:25 on BBC2 tonight.

[anephric]

Forced to watch this by my petrolhead mate...

All I could think of was Magical Sound Shower.

[Mad Gear]

It's on again at 23:25 on BBC2 tonight.

Cheers dude. :D

[charlesr]

The Enzo did 1.19. The Radical SR3 (http://www.radicalmotorsport.com/range/sr3/sr3.php#) did 1.14. Somewhat quicker. And yes it's road legal. Although it only has 40mm ground clearance, so not entirely useful over speed bumps. Not quite sure why they didn't show it on the TV show. It was in the magazine.

[MartyG]

But the Radical isn't a Ferrari. It might go quick a little quicker, but I know which I'd prefer was sitting in my garage.

[Roost]

Im still a sucker for the XJ220 personally.

No, i cant see anything touching the enzo laptime, Especially considering the stig was prolly only giving it 95%, not wanting to put dents in a £500k sportscar.

I live basically next door to...

www.donlawracing.com

[bash]

HERE (http://home.swipnet.se/eurenius_design/f50.htm) I've a;lways preferred the F50 myself

Im not a petrolhed so Im not too savvy on the specs. . . .

[charlesr]

I dunno about "a little quicker" Marty, they were jizzing over the enzo going 0.8 seconds quicker. The Radical was 5 seconds quicker. I'd rather have the quicker one. If I could afford either, I'd obviously have both. :)

[Alastair]

Clarkson getting owned by a girl :D

That place looked mental and I want to go so bad. Looked seriously dangerous too though. Mixing bikes and cars didn't look at all safe to me.

[Kieran76]

Last nights show rocked, Christian Slater was his usual cool self, that Morgan was ace apart form the dodgy colour scheme and watching Clarkson go nuuty after doing a sub 10-minute lap was hillarious.
One of the best shows on T.V.

[mid]

It was seriously, seriously freaky how much I recognised the 'Ring from playing it on PGR2; funny how that biker mentioned learning the track on it, as well.

And I adore the Morgan Aero 8, from the GTR demo.

[Hodge]

Clarkson getting owned by a girl :D

That place looked mental and I want to go so bad. Looked seriously dangerous too though. Mixing bikes and cars didn't look at all safe to me.
Yes and they had the ambulances there to prove it :lol: Looked great fun though. Heard it was around $10-$12 a lap on open days so it`s not that dear either.

[DavidH]

Clarkson getting owned by a girl :D

That place looked mental and I want to go so bad. Looked seriously dangerous too though. Mixing bikes and cars didn't look at all safe to me.

I went to the new Nurburgring 7 years ago to watch the WSB and hoped to go around the track but it was "closed for repairs" for 7 days :( only about £7 to go around, although don't think my company motorcycle's insurance wouldn't have covered me too far :)

Monza's old banked track is also great if you get a chance to "walk it" (no vehicles allowed)

[Alastair]

Yeah, it seems pretty cheap (http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/prices.html) but factor in a set of tyres and all the petrol plus costs of getting there and it's gonna add up.

Still, one day.

[Gunstar]

The show with the tweaked ferrari vs the db 7/9s? was really cool, that slow mo close ups of the tires burning rubber was stunning.

[Alastair]

Camera crew nicked a slow mo cam off wildlife on 1 team I think! It did look good though.

I've applied for tickets to the filming in dec, is that sad?

[Gunstar]

Filming of top gear? or wildlife on one? :) I would love to go to a show. I wouldn't mind a top gear DVD, really like there editing.

[Kieran76]

I don't think it is at all sad to want to and watch Top Gear as the format of the show uses the audience well and wants you participate. Just don't say owt stupid if Clarkson asks you a question as he will rip you to shreds.

[Alastair]

Top Gear of course Gunstar! I'm not going to sneak up on mating wilderbeast with a crowd of other people am I :D

Yorath - I was a little worried about that but it'd be funny to get belittled by him on national telly wouldn't it :hmm:

you can get tickets to all sorts of shows here (www.applausestore.com) by the way, click on show schedule.

[tonyk100]

made me want to try a sub 10 min lap on PGR2, just don't think theres any desiels in the game :0

[Alastair]

Blind guy beating Whitely and Wogan :D

Clarkson cheating to win the Porsche challenge thing and the new Golf GTi being the bestest car ever. Not so sure about the golf really, though it did look fun I'd rather have the Civic.

Cliff Richard, bothered? NO - go away.

[Spatial]

Top Gear has got a lot more interesting of late - last nights Porsche challenge being a good example.

[mid]

I found it amusing how the GTi was nearly a second slower round the track than the Seat Leon Cupra, when the Cupra is not only basically the same car as a Mk4 Golf (but cheaper), but isn't even the top-of-the-range Cupra R. Actually, I suspect they messed up, and it really was the Cupra R they were testing; 0-62 in 6.9 seconds on the Golf is the exact same number as the R manages.

I wasn't surprised by the Porsche thing; Clarkson always has to come up with some massively cheating method of winning these 'challenges' when they do them; its really blatent how he always has to win.

[Alastair]

but pretty funny!

[Kieran76]

The lonely hearts bit was ace, Clarkson put his ad in the Men looking for Men scetion, comedy gold.

[Shez]

Golf GTI, nuff said :)

[DavidH]

Quality episode last night, always liked the Lancer's (esp Evo 6) but I want a Evo 8, sod the dodgy clutch etc, sounds the nuts and goes like stink, however 4mpg would take some selling to the Mrs.

The Smart Car's worst handling award was frightening wasn't it, always the same with small wheels, I had a 180cc scooter after many motorbikes and cornering/roundabouts were a nightmare at anything above about 25mph.

[Alastair]

I was dissapointed, that Lambo is one of my current favs and to see it being tamed by a rally car was dissapointing. Maybe around a real track it would have been different. There was the usual 'Clarkson must win so the guy in front spins' moment too. What did I expect.

That Mustang was interesting, if a little 'wrong'. Prius, yawn.

[Kieran76]

Quality episode last night, always liked the Lancer's (esp Evo 6) but I want a Evo 8, sod the dodgy clutch etc, sounds the nuts and goes like stink, however 4mpg would take some selling to the Mrs.

The Smart Car's worst handling award was frightening wasn't it, always the same with small wheels, I had a 180cc scooter after many motorbikes and cornering/roundabouts were a nightmare at anything above about 25mph.

I know what you mean I have a scooter and shit myself when going round a roundabout with some bloke driving up my arse.

[swills]

Every episode is quality tbf. Was glad they finally got around to looking at the new Mustang as I've been yearning after one of those for ages.

Am moving to Canada in the summer and definitely want to snag one. Don't care that the back axle is a girder, don't care about plasticky interiors, it just looks so god damn cool! :)

[Miguel007]

Last nights episode was brilliant, Top Gear is really back on top form. It's all these tests and experiments they do give the show a more interesting edge. Racing cars against Trains, Planes, Bobsleigh was brilliant. My favourite has to be the Toyota Hilux and what they did to that, here's a link to some of their vids on the net.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/downloads/

A few years ago it was just a bunch of idiots driving cars the average joe public will never be able to afford, it still is to some degree, but not as High Brow.

[Shez]

Actually as a consumer programme it fails entirely, and has done for years and years.

For me now, it's all about being entertained and it does that well enough - The Porsche episode in particular was a right laugh.

[NeilMcRae]

Carrera GT :D :D :D

[thegreathopper]

What is Jeremy Clarkson doing on TV in 2004.............
He reminds me of other rednecks such as Freddie Star the drunk and Jim Davidson the wife beater....At least you do not see these two on TV anymore....

[mid]

What is Jeremy Clarkson doing on TV in 2004

Being the quintessential Grumpy Old Man, really. Unlike your other examples, his worst offense seems to be expressing his opinions forcefully.

I might disagree with him frequently, but at least he always gives some reasoning behind his arguments, which I respect him for.

[thegreathopper]

:wtf:
Being the quintessential Grumpy Old Man, really. Unlike your other examples, his worst offense seems to be expressing his opinions forcefully.

I might disagree with him frequently, but at least he always gives some reasoning behind his arguments, which I respect him for.
I would say his worst offenses were encouraging people to destroy the planet by driving farm vehicles on motorways and in cities..also to dribble over fast cars like a pubescent schoolboy with a picture of Kylie..This only helps to encourage the boy racers who kill themselves and others..

[revisedgenocide]

I dont drive but still enjoy Top Gear. Mainly for Clarkson . Hes not actually bigoted so its unfair to lump him with the above. The series he did travelling europe was a great eye-opener on the man. Alot of the things he says are stuffed with irony and slight digs at himeself. Genuinely funny guy who seems to know how to wind people up and enjoys it imo.

[michael]

Agreeing with RG up there - I couldn't drive a nail, never mind a car, but I think Top Gear's great. I like the Test Track thing with The Stig (does anyone actually know who he is then?). I like seeing 'stupid looking' (according to the girlfriend) cars and proclaiming them to be fantastic. I like the silly challenges. But most of all I like the presenting team - they're all pretty good blokes when you come down to it. Know their stuff, know it well, and not afraid to take the piss.

Probably one of the better things on telly at the moment.

[mid]

Greathopper - if you can't see the beauty in a well-designed piece of engineering, then I'd definitely agree that the programme isn't for you. It doesn't mean you're right, however. As Clarkson has ably demonstrated on other programmes (Machines that changed the world, Brunel stuff etc), it's this that he loves about great cars, not just their assistance in unlawful activities.

[Alastair]

... The Stig (does anyone actually know who he is then?)...

Perry McCarthy - google him for history etc. Touring cars mainly I think.

[thegreathopper]

I am an engineer, I work for an environmental controls company so I suppose I am a bit anti large car...
I work in the city of London and travel on bike by choice and spend most days dodging off road 4WD vehicles....



Greathopper - if you can't see the beauty in a well-designed piece of engineering, then I'd definitely agree that the programme isn't for you. It doesn't mean you're right, however. As Clarkson has ably demonstrated on other programmes (Machines that changed the world, Brunel stuff etc), it's this that he loves about great cars, not just their assistance in unlawful activities.

[Mr_Sands]

Perry McCarthy

Flat Out Flat Broke (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844250180/qid=1104266273/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/202-4680925-4647850) is a great read if anyone is interested in reading about Perry's attempts to get into Formula 1 with no budget.

[DavidH]

anyone see Sunday nights "special episode" half a dozen celebs and 4 different race/contests, shame no JK, but the "two up" racing was great and car pinball certainly has prospects .....

But you just knew Clarkson & Jodie Kidd would win. Roll on the next series.

[Alastair]

Yeah - that did make a good programme on it's own but I am starting to get a bit bored of all the 'best of' now as I've already seen most of it.

Any idea when the new series starts? All I can find is this:


You are invited to come hang out with Jeremy Clarkson, and the entire Top Gear Team as they take an entertaining side swipe at the world of cars for this very special series recorded exclusively for The Discovery Channel USA.
Which is being filmed next week but I don't have Discovery USA :(

[Gradius]

The celeb special had Tiff Needel driving one of the double decker cars. Doesn't he work for 5th Gear on channel 5?

[DavidH]

he does yeah, think new Series starts on BBC2 in April.

[Alastair]

New series confirmed for the 22nd may now.

Did anyone see fifth gear last night? That Frank Mountain guy has too much money! Who would take a half million pound car round a track in the snow? Served him right to crash it though.

[DavidH]

excellent opening episode last night, pees all over 5th Gear imo.

CLS Merc looks amazing in the flesh, local independent BMW dealer has had one for a fortnight, dunno eactly which version but looks and goes superbly.

Its repeated on BBC2 on Tues night (7pm ?) if anyone missed it.

[Richard.John]

The best show on the Beeb, in my opinion. When they said they would be back in the spring I thought, great, March early April. Late bloody May. Oh how I have missed that show.

[mid]

Thanks David - I really enjoyed what I saw, but I missed everything between the start of the car football thing and halfway through the review of the Range Rover Mini as my son decided to wake up and scream the place down...

[Alastair]

Couldn't believe the Toyota football. That must have been one expensive match (I'm guessing Toyota payed to get the marketing/advertising of the car) and then they said at the end of the article "buy the citroen one instead." A big :p to toyota there then.

The bit at the beginning showing what's coming up this season looked cool too.

[sinistamunkey]

I want to play football with someone elses car :D

who wants to lend me theirs? ;)

[killy]

Argh missed it - is it being repeated?

[DavidH]

Its repeated on BBC2 on Tues night (7pm ?) if anyone missed it.

:p

[koenshaku]

A good start so far, that merc was fat!
Loved the cool wall bit, what Clarksy said about rooney's missus was spot on.
Looks like another great series ahead.

[DavidH]

watched the repeat of Sunday's episode last night, the 20 minute £1500 sport's car feature was so funny, not laughed that much for ages.

[Kieran76]

I love it when it comes to doing up their cars with the money they have left. Hammond always sticks on loads of tat.

[DavidH]

yeah, just waiting for him to do a Burberry Chav paint job.

[momobeast]

However the F40 gives it a close run for it's money, don't like the Carrera GT and the McLaren F1 really, will anything beat the Enzo's lap time this/next year ? don't think so.

Think it got beat by that Maserati on Sunday! Clarkson didnt appreciate tho! Enzo looks better too! :happy:

Still the best programme on TV! :D

[mid]

************ity****ing****.

Missed it again. And it sounds like a great episode, too.

Bollocks.

If Clarkson thinks the Enzo looks better than the Maserati MC12, then he's more of an idiot than I thought, though. I think it's far, far better, even though I normally don't like Maseratis that much.

[smokedog]

If Clarkson thinks the Enzo looks better than the Maserati MC12, then he's more of an idiot than I thought, though.

I must be a idiot too, cause I prefer the Enzo over the MC12. The MC12 looks way too big, where as the Enzo looks more purposeful

[Zanza]

Enzo looks far better in my opinion! The MC12 is too smooth and rounded, the Enzo looks alot more individual and I like its sharper angles!

[momobeast]

Enzo pisses on the Maserati looks wise! Clarkson should be king of England

[mid]

Fair enough, then. I just thought it was Clarkson who was being odd. If it's everyone else, too, then I guess I'm just old-fashioned in liking my sportscars smooth and sleek, rather than the sharp pointyness that seems all the rage at the moment (like the S2 Lotus Elise replacing the S1).

[JU!]

************ity****ing****.

Missed it again. And it sounds like a great episode, too.

Bollocks.

I feel your pain when's this on again and repeated i think i'm loosing my head. Doh! (missed again)

[DavidH]

it's repeated on a Tuesday (BBC2) 7pm, so you've missed it again :p

[Alf-Life]

If you have NTL, you can press the 'On Demand' button and watch it any time for free.

[DavidH]

bit off topic but not worth a new thread;

Greatest Ever Machines (Mondays 8pm C5)
Starts this Monday coming, each of the 4 episodes "celebrates the top ten vehicles of it's class". Episode one is Motorbikes, not sure what the remaining three will be but looks like good viewing.

[booth83]

It's also repeated on UKTV people (channel 566 Sky)
on sunday at 9pm. I'm just looking at my on screen TV guide now and the blurb states that there's a review of the Maserati MC12 on tomorrow's repeat, so it does seem that it's a couple of weeks behind, which is good for me as I missed the last two weeks anyway.

Only downside is that there'll obviously be adverts now so loads of it will be missing.

[Marmite]

Cant believe nobody has mentioned last nights edition!

They had a team of three Japanese drivers on the track who specialise in drifting in formation - serious skills! One of them was sat in this new Vauxhall with Hammond, trying to show him how to drift properly. He spoke no English but still managed to come across as very funny and supremely cool at the same time.

Gutted the series has come to an end already to be honest.

[mid]

I hadn't mentioned it because I missed it again. Arrgh. I'll try and catch the repeat.

[Bassman]

The repeat is 11;20 tonight on BBC2. I will be setting Sky+.

The D1 Drift was pretty amazing. Especially when that guy got into the Monaro and got it drifting well having never driven it before.

[MrDark]

One of the D1 driver was drifting with half of his outside of the car. No idea how he managed that. Definitely something not to try on the road, I know I wouldn't. :)

[Crisp_Rapper]

11.20pm, bbc2.... got it. :D

[Extra Terrestrial]

All I could think about was OutRun 2 and the Magical Sound Shower when the drifters were doing what they live for. Absolutely awesome!

Japanese = cool.

[Alastair]

So, the best of was back on last night, only half an hour but was mainly the 'race' down to Switzerland between the Ferrari 612 and the plane/train bus etc. Best article they've done I think so enjoyed watching that again.

Did anyone see the new spin-off series on BBC3 of Stars in Fast Cars? It was absolutely awful. Presented by Dougie who used to be on RI:SE and with added krypton factor type skill tests (presumably as filling to make to last half an hour). Pure rubbish, hope it doesn't make it onto normal BBC as it'll ruin the original idea and comedy of the previous one-off.

[Miguel007]

New Series - starts tonight 8.00pm BBC2. :)

[demon9k]

New Series - starts tonight 8.00pm BBC2. :)

Arg I missed it! Anyone know when the repeat is?

[lurch996]

tuesday at 7:00pm i think

[forpey]

Did anyone see Sunday's show?

I thought it was one of the best in a while. The baby Aston and BMW M6 feature was probably the highlight. Think they made the wrong decision though. And the M6 seemed like such a souless car.

I can see the point of the M3 and the M5. Salons with pleanty of grunt, powerful and practical. But the M6 just didn't look inspiring at all. For a GT car you want a bit more than geeky electronic management and 500bhp.

I'd have chosen the Aston, although I can take the point that its a footballers car.

Was funny to see the 'reasonably priced' car fall apart too!

[MartyG]

The Aston was lovely looking. I can see the point in all the tech stuff, I love gadgets, and to have a car full of them would be ace. Sometimes though, it's not just about the speed and power - that's where the Aston has it nailed.

Shame I'm unlikely to ever be able to afford one though :/

From the montage at the beginning of the show, it looks like there are going to be some great features in this season's Top Gear.

[Alastair]

But it's only 6 weeks :(

Cannot wait for the Bugatti Veyron though, been reading so much about it and it sounds so mental. Saw a vid on the Evo site and by the time my car gets to 60 that thing was doing over 150!!

This weeks show was ok but I think there's better to come. Did make me want to visit the IoM though, looked a lovely (if wet) place.

[mid]

I've gone right off the Veyron after reading about it in the magazine this month, to be honest. I hate turbo lag at the best of times, and this thing has four of them. It's an amazing technical marvel, but I wouldn't buy one if I had the money. It's got a more extreme version of that daft thing in the M6 as well, where you have to stop at the side of the road and reprogram it all if you want to use the full power and speed, rather than have the aerodynamic stuff that keeps it on the road should you face anything like a bend.

On the other hand, I'm really looking forward to this season's Big Race. Northern Italy to London with Clarkson in the Veyron, and the others in a plane again. Except this time May takes the controls, rather than any of that faffing around with airline companies.

[Alastair]

Oh man - I hadn't heard about that. Where's the drool face?

[mid]

This month's mag has a short list of all the main features coming this series (not necessarily in broadcast order). An Audi up a mountain road versus a guy climbing straight up the side of the cliff should be fun, too, as should Greyhound Vs. MX 5 round a dog track.

[forpey]

That M6 was a bit of a joke. Its a 500bhp car, but the default setting is 400bhp?! What's the point? Why would I want to drive around in 400bhp mode? Surely they can make a car which has 500bhp and doesn't require you to be the Stig to drive it... lets be honest the only people driving this car will be geeky men having a mid-life crisis.

But yeah, the series is gonna be a stormer, if a little short. The race is gonna be ace!

I think I've converted my girlfriend to watching Top Gear now, although it maybe because of Richard Hammond.

[NeilMcRae]

I didn't see Top Gear but from what I hear they compared it to a porker and AMV8? The porker is bad comparision as its hardly a grand tourer and the AM is a lovely motor also.

I'm hoping to pick up my M6 up in a few weeks (depends on how soon I can get a cab). Having driven the 5 and 6. I can tell you that being able to limit the power is a godsend, particularly in London. without it you'd end up parked in the transit van in front of you. The M6 is nimbler than the 5 :D Great fun overtaking the Ferrari's though :D

Regards,
Neil.

[mid]

I thought I remembered you saying you were getting a new M, Neil, but for some reason I got the impression you preferred the 5, or I'd have said.

It was a pretty unfair comparison all round, really - the Porsche doesn't have the bootspace of the other two so it's no good to many that want the others, the M6 is never going to come close on looks in my book (but then we're on forum record for our differences of opinion about Chris Bangle), and the AMV8 can't compete in raw power but just looks so very, very nice.

I agree about there being far too many gadgets in BMWs, but that's largely because like Clarkson I'm a bit thick when it comes to all this setup fiddling malarky. Am I right in thinking that 400BHP mode saves you a fair bit in fuel economy, too?

[Rossco]

Ohh its back, need to set the video to record this tonight! :)

I love the big races too, really cool. Plus Clarkson is a legend! 8)

[demon9k]

I didn't see Top Gear but from what I hear they compared it to a porker and AMV8? The porker is bad comparision as its hardly a grand tourer and the AM is a lovely motor also.

I'm hoping to pick up my M6 up in a few weeks (depends on how soon I can get a cab). Having driven the 5 and 6. I can tell you that being able to limit the power is a godsend, particularly in London. without it you'd end up parked in the transit van in front of you. The M6 is nimbler than the 5 :D Great fun overtaking the Ferrari's though :D

Regards,
Neil.

I don't like you :D

[MartyG]

Having driven the 5 and 6. I can tell you that being able to limit the power is a godsend, particularly in London. without it you'd end up parked in the transit van in front of you.
And here's me thinking people can limit the power with the right foot :D

[Alastair]

Having driven the 5 and 6. I can tell you that being able to limit the power is a godsend, particularly in London. without it you'd end up parked in the transit van in front of you.And here's me thinking people can limit the power with the right foot :D

I agree, they may as well have a 'mode' in the M6 where you get 85 bhp for town fuel economy super savings :dry:

[mid]

Have you driven a BMW Marty? I tried briefly, and discovered a semi-legitimate reason for them getting the bad reputation they have. The accelerator was horribly sensitive; trying to keep it at a moderate speed was really tiring, I found. I'm sure it's something you can get used to, but I found the balance between stalling it and rocketing off a nightmare. So the limiter probably makes sense from that point of view.

[MartyG]

Not anything with the power of the M series no, can't say I have. My bike will rocket me off to 100 in 7 seconds though, you just don't have to twist the throttle all the way. My comment was in jest though really ;)

[mid]

I kind of figured it might be, but I was really surprised at how difficult it was to keep that power under control when I wasn't prepared for it.

[MartyG]

I can see that might be an issue on autos - but if you have a clutch it really shouldn't be an issue at all - though as they said on Top Gear; just because you have a bigger wallet, it doesn't mean you're a better driver :)

Anyway, a car like that doesn't belong in a city centre, it belongs on open stretch of A road.

[DavidH]

Just watched last Sunday's episode, Top Gear back to it's best, such an all-round well produced program.
Out of the Supercar test, the 911 would have been my choice, never looks dated imo and peed all over the other two in the test.
The Isle of Man is nice place to go (esp for TT races in June) and it doesn't rain all the time, just most of it.
Should be a great, if short series.

[forpey]

the 911 would have been my choice, never looks dated imo and peed all over the other two in the test
I did have a lot more respect for the 911 after Sunday night. The new design isn't very... well, 'new'. But there is something to be said about what James May was getting at - its the unassuming, under-stated pick of the bunch, which isn't flash anymore - but so what? I think a lot of the new GT cars like the AMV8 have an image problem, in that as nice as they are, Wayne Rooney will probably buy one.

[DavidH]

Just watched last Sunday's show, great episode, one of the best in a while imo, hilarious them all trying to get out of that underground car park, anyone of those three cars would do me, I'm not fussy. Hell of a bridge at the end, wouldn't fancy that myself mind you. This series gets better and better.

[Rossco]

Twas a good episode yeh! Him talking about the new Focus ST was funny! :lol:

But man oh man, I love that Zonda.

[Len]

Agreed another great episode and that bridge was amazing.I remember seeing some shots of it on the beeb site last week with low cloud cover and it just looks like it's floating in mid-air.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4091813.stm - halfway down.

The Ferrari did it for me though, if only for all the twisty turny bits. Stunning motors all three mind. God they've got a good job... :happy:

[Nijo]

Yeah the car park bit was funny. :)
and the Ford ASBO. :)

To me the Ford GT looked the nicest, but it has to be the Ferrari overall.

[eastyy]

That 3 supercars segment made me laugh

You would have thought for the amount you would spend on those cars they could have made them a bit more practical (especially when leaving car parks) or comfortable

I did think there was going to be some big arguments on the whats cool board though

[PeteJ]

I demand a car addon for PGR3.

Damn that was nice ;)

[tonyk100]

love that program
1000 bhp car against plane across europe let down by poor evelator labelling.

I really like the schoolboy/top trumps mentality - just wish they could ticker tape some factoids across the screen like mpg, insurance group etc.

filmed with some class camera angles. Fifth gear is like a 6th form school project by comparison. apart from VH

[MartyG]

These races are fixed totally in favour of the cars aren't they. Sorry but I refuse to believe that they are in any way genuine. Doesn't stop them being entertaining mind.

Probably just as well there aren't many of those Bugattis around though, the quantity of available oil would halve overnight.

[Kieran76]

Watching Nige storming around the track looking bored was ace. I loved it when he took his hands off the wheels.

[DavidH]

Just watched it and that Bugatti was amazing, costing £5million a piece to make, like they say doubt we'll see anything like that in the next 20 years.
Such a shame Stig didn't take it round the track.

10 radiators :)

£4,500 for an indicator arm, imagine the cost of a service/insurance, different world eh.

[booth83]

Just watched it and that Bugatti was amazing, costing £5million a piece to make, like they say doubt we'll see anything like that in the next 20 years.
Such a shame Stig didn't take it round the track.

10 radiators :)

£4,500 for an indicator arm, imagine the cost of a service/insurance, different world eh.

I wonder how many of them actually exist? he did say at the beginning that it costs £830,000 (or somewhere around that), so are we to assume that the car is actually for sale?

If enough people email the show they might bring it back for a lap with The Stig. they did it earlier in the series, can't remember which car for though, might be the mc12.

I can't help get the feeling now that other supercars such as the Zonda F, Enzo etc are pretty much nothing in comparison, I mean 'limited' to 253mph... :wtf:

Amazing peice of engineering, amazing car, i could go on, I was almost as excited as JC when watching tonight

and breathe...

[Mad Gear]

Top Gear Winter Olympics spesh tonight, looks fun.

[DavidH]

well spotted, ta.

EDIT: New Motoring quiz show straight after it "could" be good

[Chadruharazzeb]

God bless Top Gear, the new series better hurry up.

Highlights included Clarkson trying to accurate shoot biathlon targets with a H&K MP5 set to full-auto, a rocket propelled ski-jumping mini, and a particularly intense race between a bobsled and a rally Evo.

EDIT, btw can I post this here or do I have to wait till tomorrow? Says "Last nights Top Gear", see... :hmm:

[PeteJ]

Damn, that was one of the funniest things I've seen on TV in bloody ages. My tummybox was actually aching due to laughing so much at the end.

Great stuff as always :)

[Kieran76]

That show is pretty close to televisual perfection. Shame this quiz show on now isn't up to much.

[oracle]

Caught most of it, missed the begining, mini ski jumping \o/

That and the Stig with literally balls of steel!

[Mr Pump]

Caught most of it, missed the begining, mini ski jumping \o/

That and the Stig with literally balls of steel!

That was madness, his landing looked a little ropy aswell reckon he might of had to have a change of pants after that.

The mini was pure genius :D

[DavidH]

It was a great episode for number of reasons, Stig was amazing, "Hammond filling Paul O'Grady's slot" was well dropped in. Roll on the new series.

[booth83]

agreed, spring can't come quick enough.

I don't know why, but i have a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't the stig, just a gut feeling i've got

[mid]

Ever since it stopped being Perry McCarthy (the original black Stig), they've taken to drafting in the odd guest Stig as and when required (certainly when they had the McMerc he was really the owner, and the Renault F1 car was driven by the team's test driver). I'd imagine this was one of those times as well, yes.

[Kieran76]

In case anyone missed it you can watch the entire episode from the bbc's Top Gear website.

[booth83]

Ever since it stopped being Perry McCarthy (the original black Stig), they've taken to drafting in the odd guest Stig as and when required (certainly when they had the McMerc he was really the owner, and the Renault F1 car was driven by the team's test driver). I'd imagine this was one of those times as well, yes.

i had no idea it wasn't just the one person anymore, knowing that kind of takes something away from the lap times, same track same driver different car each week = fair lap times. if you get my meaning, anyway thinking about it it doesn't really bother me that much.

[mid]

Oh, they try their best for it to be the same (mystery) person each week. It's just a semi-open secret that the guy who owned one of the first McMercs in the country wouldn't let anyone else thrash it around the TG circuit, and Renault weren't going to let just anyone in their F1 car, either. I thought it pretty impressive that Nick Mason was prepared to let the real Stig do that to his Enzo, though. Which they nearly wouldn't have been able to do; if memory serves, the original plan was that they were using the one from the same guy who brought his McMerc along, but it had a nasty accident the day before and was in no fit state to go anywhere.

[booth83]

i get your meaning. mind you if i had my own supercar i'd be more inclined to let a qualified race driver take it around for a power lap than myself, but then again im not even a qualified driver yet so i guess my thinking would be different if i were

[Rossco]

Just got round to watching it there, great episode. Really class, cant wait for new series.

Every single thing they done was brilliant fun. And the end credits had everyone named as 'Bjorn Clarskon, Bjorn Hammond etc' :lol:

[Mr Pump]

Every single thing they done was brilliant fun. And the end credits had everyone named as 'Bjorn Clarskon, Bjorn Hammond etc' :lol:

How did I not notice?

Definitely losing my edge, guess its time to find myself a tibetan monastry and get some serious medition going on or maybe eat more fish.

[Rossco]

You didnt see it? :lol:

Did anyone? Or do you lot just switch the TV off as soon as they stop talking? :p

When is this back anyway? April yeh? I love Top Gear. http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/images/smilie/wub.gif

[PeteJ]

Aye I saw it, every person was Bjorn :p

James May trying to paint the line across the ski jump was the funniest thing, though. I almost died.

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Is there a repeat of this on anytime soon ?

[PeteJ]

I think you can watch it from the website...? Can't check while at work tho :(

[Alastair]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/programmes/?id=top_gear

link to watch on-line

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Cheers mate youre a legend :)

[DavidH]

New series starts this Sunday, yipee :)

[Rossco]

Oh nicely!

*Sky +'s* :D

Anyone know whats featured on the first episode?

[Alastair]

No info for this weeks show on the website yet but I saw the trail on telly yesterday and it featured the new Jag XK and some Espace with the roof cut off! In the past though they have shown clips from the whole series not just the first ep so who knows.

[Alastair]

Actually, just checked the listings and it says:


Jeremy Clarkson drives an insanely powerful Swedish supercar, Richard Hammond races a jet powered canoe and the boys create a convertible people carrier by sawing the top off a Renault Espace.

[booth83]

apparantly, in tonights episode, the stig crashes a 400k supercar, presumably the koinegsegg that gets tested.

anyone else heard this? my brother says he read it in yesterday's paper, but doesn't have it anymore to prove it

[Gareth C]

apparantly, in tonights episode, the stig crashes a 400k supercar, presumably the koinegsegg that gets tested.

anyone else heard this? my brother says he read it in yesterday's paper, but doesn't have it anymore to prove it

Yes, I saw that in Clarksons column...should be fun!

[demon9k]

What can I say. That episode was classic. :)

[Miguel007]

It was brilliant when they ran away from the Car Wash! Cracking episode, it's been of the screens for too long.

I'm glad it's back.

[Rossco]

Oops, forgot about this. Going to watch it now. Happy its a good episode according to you lot! :D

[eastyy]

Only catched the last 30 min but i do not think i have laughed so much in ages like the bit where they went into the carwash with there specially converted passenger carrier that was so funny

[ascender]

A good return by TG, great entertainment and very funny. At least 23 times more entertaining than 5th Gear.

[DavidH]

Certainly is one of the Beeb's flagship shows now, repeated 7pm tonight on BBC2 for anyone who missed it.

[Alastair]

I say that was probably the best TG ever. I hope they keep it up and it wasn't a one off due to having a long time to write that one.

Haven't laughed so much in a long time.

The 'celebs' coming to the track was great.

Well Spoken Man :D

'Justin out of the Darkness' belt :D

[Kubrick]

The Top Gear dog is awesome :D

[Wools]

It's strange that it's gone from a quite normal car review show, when I used to watch it as a kid, to one of the most entertaining and funny TV show's I've ever watched in my life!

I could not stop laughing at the convirtable Renault. The 100mph spped test was the biscuit :)

[Tobal]

does it get repeated during week? I always miss watch Tv on sunday's.

[Alastair]

... repeated 7pm tonight on BBC2 for anyone who missed it.

:)

[Nijo]

I say that was probably the best TG ever. I hope they keep it up and it wasn't a one off due to having a long time to write that one.

Haven't laughed so much in a long time.

The 'celebs' coming to the track was great.

Well Spoken Man :D

'Justin out of the Darkness' belt :D

Justin wore the same belt on Jonathan Ross - maybe it's his everyday wear.

That Koenigsegg was ace (as they are in PGR3), shame he didn't get his hot lap around. :ph34r:

[smokedog]

Certainly is one of the Beeb's flagship shows now, repeated 7pm tonight on BBC2 for anyone who missed it.

Or just watch it online
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/programmes/?id=top_gear

[thebuddahman]

It was fan-bloody-tastic. It's not just a car show...it's fantastic entertainment as well.

Welcome back!

[booth83]

Yep great entertainment all round, havn't smiled the whole way through a tv show in i don't know how long, it's a bloke's show!

highlights being obviously the running away from the carwash, jimmy carr "im going to have a little cry my name's richard", well spoken man (who the hell is he btw?) i quite enjoyed rick wakeman going off on one at les ferdinand for his past goal, there were so many real lol moments, let's hope they keep it up.

Oh and I'm glad to see the Toyota is now on a plinth for all to see. :)

[Wools]

I was just about to order the DVD on Amazon for the series and it's apprantly the best of season 1 & 2, running time 90 minutes. :(

Does anyone know if the Beeb are planning a un-edited version of both series?

[Richard.John]

I agree that it was possibly the funniest epppy ever and far, far better than anyhing from the last season which I thought was rather average.

[Alastair]

... it's a bloke's show!
...

I disagree, my gf was laughing her ass off as much as I was and she watches it almost every week with me.

[Crisp_Rapper]

I disagree, my gf was laughing her ass off as much as I was and she watches it almost every week with me.same here, my girlfriend always watches it too, though secretly she harbours a crush on the short chap i think... http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/images/smilie/blink.gif

[Alastair]

I think that may be it yeah :rolleyes:

[booth83]

ok maybe i'm pigeon-holing it a bit there, and obviously not exsclusively a blokes show, it's just the sense of humour seems to be a bit "blokish" for want of a better term :) still bloody great though...

[Richard.John]

It has become the Jezza-Hamster-Mr.Slow let's take the piss out of each other show, but it's still great to watch. I personally would prefer less of the pointless challenges (smash up caravans,etc) and more car challenges. I hope Richard and James get a chance to stick Jeremy in a train or plane this time and then get to beat him acrosss Europe or whatever. I also wish they'd make the effort to come to Japan and do a segment on the car culture or cars here.

[Gradius]

This series is going to feature a kit car building challenge, the 3 presenters against their other halfs, Porsche Cayenne Turbo vs Skydiver, delivering the centre spot to a world cup venue, turning a Robin Reliant into a space shuttle, jet powered canoe vs TVR powered 4x4, presenters building cars that work as boats and a caravan holiday.

This is my favourite programme on TV hands down.

[booth83]

Another good ep tonight, loved the segment when they were on the radio, they were shockingly bad at it, even hammond who's done radio before, i'd probably have been sat there laughing my ass off had i been sat in the car listening to that and knowing what was going on

[Spatial]

I had to laugh at the old woman who phoned in to given them a telling off. And the looks on the faces of the radio station staff were priceless :lol:

[Wools]

I couldent stop laughing during that radio segment, they were brillant!

Anyone else not supprised the Stig got the fastest lap? :)

That Jag? :wub:

[eastyy]

I found it very funny when clarkson was riling hammond on the way to the radio station

[PeteJ]

Such an entertaining show as always, the radio station was so funny. Gorden Ramsay looked so scared when he was about to be told his time :p

I want that Jag, a thing of beauty!

[oblivion_6]

That was a lovely looking jag that, although I do like the sound of that convertible aston thats coming out soon, albeit its probably 3x the jags costs

[hugejeans]

Is last nights show repeated in the week at all?

[Alastair]

Tonight at 7pm BBC2.

[hugejeans]

Tonight at 7pm BBC2.

I thanks you

[Alastair]

Am I the only one who didn't find it nearly as good as last weeks? That jet powered canoe looks awesome though, would love a go in it.

I think the races need to be shot a bit better and become a little less obviously staged, unless they had a camera crew of about 200 there there's no way they shot more than 20 seconds of that race at one time. I actually doubt there is a real race at all, they just film loads of segments and edit them all together to make the best 'race' they can. Sometimes it looks ace but others it just gets on my tits.

[Kotatsu Neko]

I think the races need to be shot a bit better and become a little less obviously staged, .Oh they're clearly staged, all of them. The way they tend to finish within seconds of each other, even after driving across the whole of Europe...

You need to think of Top Gear as just an entertainment program, it's nothing to take seriously.

[Kubrick]

I want that Jag, a thing of beauty!
Didn't think it looked all that tbh, but compared to it's German rivals, it was a thing of beauty.

[Alastair]

It's so obviously a Ford too. Compare the nose/grille to that of an Escort/Ka or Puma. That oval shape is exactly the same. If I had that much money for such a car I would not want to come home with a Ford in a sports jacket.

[SubparMario]

Glad I'm not the only one. The first thing I thought was 'Ka'. Couldn't understand what they were going on about, looks-wise!

[Richard.John]

Totally agree about the Jag. The reason why the Ferrari 599 is 100K more is obvious. One is the newest, most advanced GT from the world's greatest sports car company, the other is a Ford with a bit of make up. The Jag is not even half as pretty as Jezza's precious Astons, which are still, IMO, behind Ferrari in the beauty stakes.

[DavidH]

not a bad episode, not as good as the first but still very enjoyable, traffic reports were absolute sh*t :)

OT, neighbour of mine has just bought a Ferrari 355GTS, lovely car in lovely condition, not sure of age as it's on a personalised plate, was looking on Auto Trader to see prices, what's going on with all these imitations (top 3 on this page)

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?page=0&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=FERRARI&model=F355&min_pr=500&max_pr=50000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=rm3+9rj&miles=40&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

[Richard.John]

The last 355s left Maranello in 1999 so it must be at least 7 years old or so. Regarding the replicas, I guess everyone wants a piece of Ferrari. Under 40k for the real deal is tempting, if you've got the dosh of course.

[Alastair]

You'd need the dosh as soon as anything went wrong too, clutch kits (not inc fitting) can come in at over £1500!!!

[DavidH]

I was reading earlier about the Ferrari FXX (essentially a 800bhp F1 road car) in the Metro this morning, only 30 being produced, looks stunning, million pound each, but that does include 14 tracks days at great tracks around the world, Ferrari shipping your car to them all (and back home) and providing mechanics and technical support at each track.

Page 46 btw.

[Alastair]

Race going Enzo's aren't they. I never thought the Enzo was that pretty and the FXX's are just plain ugly in my eyes. Obv. wouldn't turn one down though.

Think I'd rather buy an ex F1 car for that sort of money though as you get the same back up from the mechanics and you wouldn't really take the FXX round the M25 would you!

http://www.qv500.com/Ferrari%20FXX%20P1%204.jpg

Maybe we need to get back on topic :hmm: Anyone see 5th gear, Plato was loving taking the Girls for a spin.

Also that Quattroporte (sp?) review was the worst piece of shit I've ever seen, why just review a gearbox? What about the handling, acceleration, braking etc?

[Richard.John]

I agree regarding the FXX. If you can afford a miilion for one of those why not just splash the extra cash on a Ferrari F1 car. Fifth Gear had a piece about a guy who bought an '02 or '03 ex Schumi F1 car. Lucky bar steward.

[Alastair]

Frank Mountain = one rich mofo

http://www.forix.com/8w/fos04-sat/photos/photo_39.html

He has amongst many others an Enzo & Maserati MC12

[DavidH]

Didn't think much of last nights episode, though have always had a soft spot for the Exige.

OT but funny;


Don't open the photo until you have read the email

For those of you who are mechanically challenged, don't open the
photo until you've read the email

Yesterday I was having some work done at the Ford dealer. A woman, a blonde no less, came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten.

We all looked at each other, and the mechanic asked, "What is a seven-hundred-ten?"

She replied, "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine, lost it and need a new one. It had always been there."

The mechanic gave the woman a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710.

He then took her over to another car which had the bonnet up and asked, "Is there a 710 on this car?"

She pointed and said, "Of course, it's right there."

Now open the photo to learn what a 710 is.

[Alastair]

I was the same as you David, didn't think I was enjoying it but ended up pissing myself watching the finale of the amphibious cars challenge. It's James Mays comments that get me.

Love that Exige too.

[PeteJ]

The challange was really enjoyable - I love how they ignore all the basic health and safety rules .

[Nijo]

Yeah that ending was great. Would have been good to see what he could have done in that truck if he'd put a prow on it. :)

[Richard.John]

I have got to agree. I love TG but it isn't without flaws, namely the fact that actual car reviews seem to be getting thinner on the ground and are being replaced with challenge segments. They are funny and the car/boats were highly amusing at the end but that was the problem, at the end. They spent far too long getting there, wasting an entire show really as the only car segment was the Exige.

IMO they should dump the pointless cool wall, throw away the scripting, shorten the guest segment and get back to more cars. Make that super cars!!!

[Roddie]

yeah the cool wall seems completely inconsistent and pretty much pointless, they seem to judge each car by completely different standards.

the toybota was absolutely hilarious though.

[JU!]

Yeh i agree took them ages to even get to the Lotus and that's all i wanted to see. Not see them try build a boat car as funny as that may be.

[MartyG]

I really starting to think that Top Gear is running out of decent ideas; the first ep was top, but skydiving against that dire Porsche 4x4 and making a Merc into a living room and taking it around the track? Not a great ep imo, this and last week, though seeing the Koenigsegg with the spoiler was interesting

[eastyy]

I really starting to think that Top Gear is running out of decent ideas; the first ep was top, but skydiving against that dire Porsche 4x4 and making a Merc into a living room and taking it around the track? Not a great ep imo, this and last week, though seeing the Koenigsegg with the spoiler was interesting

I agree its becoming less of a car show now and more of a comedy.

Though that does not really bother me as i would much rather have a laugh rather then see someone test driving a car i could probably never afford.


The koenigsegg knocked around 7 seconds off the previous time didnt it?

[Roddie]

I agree its becoming less of a car show now and more of a comedy.

Though that does not really bother me as i would much rather have a laugh rather then see someone test driving a car i could probably never afford.


The koenigsegg knocked around 7 seconds off the previous time didnt it?
think it's about 3 seconds

[Jebus]

As much as I didn't enjoy last nights as previous episodes, the show has always been about entertainment rather than car reviews as such for me...and its still good :)

Perhaps the interviews are too long but take away the challenges leaves straight car review show and I'd tune out.

[Nisa]

If they took out the comedy element of the show then it would just end up like 5th Gear i.e. zero personality & boring as ****, Tiff needs to go back to Top Gear he's wasted on that show.

[JohnMcL7]

There's not really any room for Tiff on Top Gear unless they dumped the Stig.

John

[Roddie]

well tbh, i think i'd rather have tiff than the stig

[DavidH]

only got round to watching this earlier today, thought the cottage interiored Merc was funny, but rest of show was fairly poor, mind you 500bhp Cheyanne Sport S looked a hoot, but at £80,000 can't see too many ending up on the roads over here.

Think the show is just on too often to fill an hour a week, years ago it was on for about 15 weeks of the year and that was it, now it seems to have double that many episodes a year.

Don't think Tiff coming back would enhance the show much tbh.

[Nisa]

I just like watching him drift in just about every car he tests out.

[Richard.John]

Yes, the last eppy was quite poor. And what happened to James, he was only in the studio segments for about 5mins? I don't like the way it's becoming the Jezza and Hamster show as poor James gets relegated to a bit part. It started with Richard doing the Stig hot lap intro and voice over, and he's now moving into Jeremy's territory with test track reviews.

[Kotatsu Neko]

Tonight's show was entertaining enough, but it's unfathomable that it will be off air for 5 WEEKS due to bloody football!

Incredible. I know the BBC don't like Top Gear and only let it run due to the ratings (highest rated show on BBC 2 I believe), but it always gets the boot whenever any sporting event comes along. Just stick the sport on BBC1, 3, or 4...!

[MonkeyWrench]

Dammit I missed this weeks episode, I'll have to remember to catch the repeat.

I'd rather not have Tiff back, the guy annoys me but I can pinpoint why. I think it maybe just his voice. I'd rather they poached Jason Plato.

[Roddie]

Tonight's show was entertaining enough, but it's unfathomable that it will be off air for 5 WEEKS due to bloody football!

Incredible. I know the BBC don't like Top Gear and only let it run due to the ratings (highest rated show on BBC 2 I believe), but it always gets the boot whenever any sporting event comes along. Just stick the sport on BBC1, 3, or 4...!
5 weeks :(

[eastyy]

I like a lot of sports

Its just i do not believe everything else on tv should be delayed/cancelled purely because of the sport though

[Wools]

I must admit that todays show was a bit weak compared to others but I loved the woman... Sorry Jackie teaching Captain Slow how to drive round Oulten Park. :D

"Why don't you just drive round yourself!"

James is probally one of the most un-intenatlly funny guy on TV! "I would and I'm a bachalor!"

As other have said I do feel he is being sidelined for Jeremy & Richard. :(

[dvdmike]

Same with ukg2 even tho i have seen them more than once i always watch the old top gear's on there now thats going all football ! that was my football escape channel !

[Richard.John]

Sir Jackie was amazing though, wasnt he? He easily lapped in under 2 mins yet James had to spend hours getting close to the 2 min mark. Imagine what a current F1 driver could do with that TVR? It showed why racing drivers do what they do.

Talent by the bucketful.

[eastyy]

I do have to admit when he said he would knock 20 seconds off the time i was skeptical but he did it that impressed me

[Alastair]

Knowing TG though it could have all been completely set up for the purpose of entertainment :dry:

[DavidH]

never, what like the thousand mile races where they finish a few seconds apart ;)

[DavidH]

video clip here from Top Gear last year ? (strange that I don't recall ever seeing it myself) shows the Stig "beating" the speed camera.

http://www.filecabi.net/video/beatingspeedcameras.html

(worksafe but unfortunately couple of pics of (clothed) ladies on right hand side advertising banner)

[Alastair]

Care to explain it a little more? That site is blocked at my work. Is it him going too fast for the cam to register a shot? Don't know if that ever made the show?

[charlesr]

Yeah, TVR Tuscan S at 171mph - the camera didn't flash. It didn't notice him at all.

[Alastair]

Does anyone remember that being on the show? I don't think it ever was.

[chosen_one666]

Probably cut because the Beeb wont want to be telling people that if they drive really fast, instead of just fast, they wont be caught by speed cameras.

[Fuddle]

Does anyone remember that being on the show? I don't think it ever was.
i didnt watch that clip, but there was definately a bit where they beat a speed camera in the normal show.

[Alastair]

It's been away too long but is finally back this Sunday at 8pm

"After lambasting caravans over the years, the team embark on a caravanning holiday in Dorset."

Don't miss it!

[booth83]

Does anyone remember that being on the show? I don't think it ever was.

It was probably cut for the uktv repeats but it was definately aired originally on 2, was a black tuscan s if memory serves

[Wools]

From Digiguide:

MOTORING: Top Gear
On: BBC 2 North West (102)
Date: Sunday 16th July 2006 (starting in 2 days)
Time: 20:00 to 21:00 (1 hour long)

Motoring magazine presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. After lambasting caravans over the years, the team embark on a caravanning holiday in Dorset. With the help of the Totyota Formula One Team, The Stig and a very large building, the lads try to find out how fast you can drive indoors. Film star Brian Cox is the Star in the Reasonably Priced Car, plus there's test-drives for the Vauxhall VXR, Mazda 6 MPS and Mondeo ST220.
(Widescreen, Subtitles)

I'm looking forward to the holiday! :happy:

[DavidH]

Very funny episode, camping cock-ups looked very orchestrated, but good to see Top Gear back with a bang ;)

[Alastair]

After reminding everyone else I forgot the first 25 mins myself :(

TBH I hated most of what I did see though. The set ups are really grating, none of that caravan bit looked realistic (maybe the bollard crash), what was with the AK47, how's that funny? The cop turning up. The Toyota F1 indoors, glad my license fee went towards that one!

I'll watch the repeat to see what I missed, maybe that'll sway me back.

[Brats]

I agree. The setups are becoming too stupid. I'd prefer it at the end if they had just decided to torch the two caravans out of sheer boredom rather than try to make out they were accidentally burnt down. And why didn't they try to turn the caravan around in an actual turning, rather than on just a straight bit of road?

I prefer the bits where they set up games and don't have to 'act', like the caravan conkers and darts from the previous series. The best episode recently was the 'Winter Olympics' one, again because it was them just setting up enjoyable games.

[PeteJ]

I agree it was too obviously setup, but I still found it funny. Easily the most entertaining program on TV.

[dcmk]

Aye, they went so far out of their way to prove caravan is utter rubbish - it was always going to be entertaining.

[Brats]

The crash against the bollard and that mad woman ('you fill up the toilet') were great, but turning the thing around and the fire were tedious. They also seem to be getting more and more into charicature mode now, like Clarkson arguing that all American cars are rubbish, forgetting the fact that he owns one. Every part of the programme is staged now and calling bearded people from the audience 'Jesus' is getting very stale now.

It's becoming less and less a car programme now and more like a Terry & June style sitcom. It needs a nudge back into place imo, still retaining the humour but with that fresh, spontaneous feel to it. Interesting that Clarkson said 'normal service will resume next week', like he knew last night's episode was a bit duff.

[Alastair]

I thought that about the 'normal service' comment too, fingers crossed then.

[Miguel007]

I thought that about the 'normal service' comment too, fingers crossed then.
I thought he was talking in relation to the schedule changes what with the World Cup & Wimbeldon knocking it off for a few weeks.

Now that they are finished 'Normal Service' next week.

[Alastair]

It was back to normal in the shedule last night though, 8pm sunday as usual. Unless that ep was planned to be shown at some other stage when they scripted/recorded it. Who knows.

[Wools]

It was a brillant episode and it's now turned into my favourite program on TV.

The Caravan burning was staged but so what? I could not stop laughing at everything they did and strangley I'm eyeing up my Dad's Mondaeo with a certain degree of respect.

Brillant show all round! :)

[SubparMario]

The Caravan burning was staged but so what?The fact that they are really bad actors comes in to play. As fun as it can be, all the staging really is a bit of an insult to the viewers' intelligence. :mellow:

[Wools]

The fact that they are really bad actors comes in to play. As fun as it can be, all the staging really is a bit of an insult to the viewers' intelligence. :mellow:

But they never claim to be and I dont believe they are really trying to insult our intelligence.

Pulling an AK out of a small draw in a caravan parked at a UK holiday site is surely going to be taken with a pinch of salt?

[Alastair]

Repeat is tonight at 7 on BBC2 if anyone missed it or it's online already at the bbc site.

Was the Stig in the first half of the show? Was it the same one as in the Toyota F1? I was wondering why it was a completely different person with different overalls and helmet? Just for the F1 car or have they changed him again?

[DavidH]

He was only in the F1 car this episode, thought at the time Toyota would want one of their own test drivers (or similar) in the cockpit ... sure that's probably who it was.

Think that was part of the problem with this episode, no supercar for the team and The Stig to thrash.

[Alastair]

That's what I was getting at but didn't know because I didn't see the first 25 mins, cheers Dave

[Wools]

There was a Mondao though!

[Alastair]

Better ep last night, had the obligatory over hammed 'races'. I didn't like the free running thing one bit!

The Caterham build/drive was better but why couldn't they just do an article about building one? Rather than that they stick in a load of footage of stig driving one when he would have always won a real race, building one of those even with 3 competent mechanics and all the tools would take a bit longer than they did. As soon as they said 'he's refused to go round the M25' I knew it was going to be another stupid fix of a result!

[Kron]

I think everyone has to recognise its nothing more than an enterainment show now, If you want to know about cars you're pretty much forced to pick up their/others monthly print magazine or read a dedicated internet site.

[Chadruharazzeb]

Wasn't too impressed with last weeks but tonights was top form. Shame it was the last one.

[DavidH]

It was a better show yes, it's only been back for what three weeks and off until "Autumn" :( Button was off the pace (as ever), they didn't mention the price of the new Rolls Royce did they, looked like it weighed about three ton, and probably has a price to match. Ray Winstone, top East End bloke.

[Wools]

Loved tonights show.

I loved how the Who gig going van bit seemed cut at the end then the producers told them to learn about vans! The Noble was a God as usual and by christ I want one.

Best bit's have to be Inspector Stig, the beautiful Noble and Richard flipping his nice little van.

The new series seems to have only started a month ago then the bloody football took it over and now it's months before it comes back. :(

[Ajay1986]

The new series seems to have only started a month ago then the bloody football took it over and now it's months before it comes back. :(
Know what you mean it seems to have ended far to quick. Hammond flipping his van was great loved the other two not seeming to care all that much as well lol.

[Wools]

Well police are already there.

:)

I love Top Gear. :wub:

[eastyy]

I found it quite funny does not really bother me that it has become less of a car show (As i cannot afford most of the cars they do showcase anyway)


Made me laugh when jeremy talked about a competition to replace richard if he did not make it

Also the incompetant burglar trying to break into the vans :D

[Wools]

"Despite its success, Top Gear is an endangered species. Clarkson is convinced its days are numbered because, like any show, it will eventually run out of plot lines and gags. Wilman hopes he will have the courage to kill it off before it flags. There is at least one more series in the pipeline, which is due to start on October 8 and run until Christmas."

:(

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22750-2270385_1,00.html

http://images.thetimes.co.uk/TGD/picture/0,,320664,00.jpg