Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: BBC says <i>Top Gear</i> doesn't ban gay couples from show audience]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/report-bbc-says-top-gear-doesnt-ban-gay-couples-from-sh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/report-bbc-says-top-gear-doesnt-ban-gay-couples-from-sh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/report-bbc-says-top-gear-doesnt-ban-gay-couples-from-sh/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Is the BBC discriminating against gay couples? As is often the case, that depends on whom you ask. How so? It seems that Top Gear, the Beeb's ridiculously popular car show, has created a rule stipulating that its audience be made up of 50 percent males and 50 percent females, and at least one gay couple was allegedly denied tickets "unless [they] took a couple of female friends."

A BBC spokesperson has responded to the kerfuffle saying, "We do not - absolutely do not - discriminate against same sex couples... the whole implication that Top Gear is in any way homophobic is completely wrong." Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, doesn't quite seem to agree: "It's very odd, but what do you expect from pigs that grunt? Regrettably, with Jeremy Clarkson involved, it's not surprising. The show itself is full of stereotyping of both men and women - but it's funded by gay and lesbian license fee cash as well as everyone else's."

The BBC adds that it doesn't even handle the actual ticketing for the show. A company called Applause Store issues the tickets in quantities of two. Says the spokesperson, "We don't ask people to apply as a couple, we ask them to apply as people."

[Source: AOL TV UK]
Note: AOL owns both AOL TV and Autoblog, but the two share no editorial affiliation.

REPORT: BBC says Top Gear doesn't ban gay couples from show audience originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applause StoreApplauseStorebbcbbc discriminationBbcDiscriminationdiscriminationgaygay discriminationGayDiscriminationGLBTGLBTGJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRichard HammondRichardHammondsexual discriminationsexual orientationSexualDiscriminationSexualOrientationtop geartop gear discriminationTopGearTopGearDiscriminationSun, 06 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/next-in-line-to-get-irked-by-jeremy-clarkson-the-romanian-gover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/next-in-line-to-get-irked-by-jeremy-clarkson-the-romanian-gover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/next-in-line-to-get-irked-by-jeremy-clarkson-the-romanian-gover/#commentsFiled under: ,

Top Gear in Romania - click above to watch video

Another day, another country that hates Jeremy Clarkson's guts. Or at least, another country that is seeking an apology from the Top Gear host for his no doubt rude, but no doubter funny comments about said country. In this case, it's the former Iron Curtain nation of Romania. Seems that during the series' season 14 opener, Jezza had some less than flattering observations about the country that shot former "Conductor" Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife before they could even be tied up and blindfolded.

Clarkson's offending remarks? He referred to Romania as "Borat country." He also donned the silly-looking pork pie hat above and stated, "I'm wearing this hat so the gypsies think I am one. I'm told they can be violent if they don't like the look of you." He also called Romanian water "Communist water" and mentioned that Romanians like to express their sense of humor with guns. Pretty innocuous stuff if you ask us. Especially compared to cracks Clarkson's made about other non-British places. Like Germany, America and Malaysia. Regardless, the Romanian government is apparently expecting an apology. We think they'd have a better chance at satisfaction by issuing a Whamber Alert. In any case, you can see the offending footage in its entirety by clicking through to the jump.

[Sources: Telegraph; YouTube]

Continue reading Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO]

Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCBoratClarksonCommunismJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRIchard HammondRichardHammondRomaniaTop GearTopGearTue, 24 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i>: A little history about everybody's favorite TV show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/top-gear-a-little-history-about-everybodys-favorite-tv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/top-gear-a-little-history-about-everybodys-favorite-tv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/top-gear-a-little-history-about-everybodys-favorite-tv/#commentsFiled under: ,



What if the Stig was known as the Gimp? It's doubtful Top Gear's mysterious racing driver - or the show itself - would have proved as enormously popular. Would you walk around in a shirt proclaiming, "I Am The Gimp?" Doubtful, but if Jeremy Clarkson and the show's producer Andy Wilman had had their way, that's what we'd be calling old Stiggy. Luckily, cooler angrier heads prevailed. Though it should be noted that the Stig was, in fact, based on the Gimp from Pulp Fiction, an "anonymous masked driver who never spoke."

You can read about all that and more in a very interesting article by the Guardian's Patrick Barkham. And it's not all about the motor-mouthed Clarkson and foul-mouthed (trust us) Wilman, Richard Hammond and James May get their proper due, too. For instance, May claims that he never would have done the show had he known how successful it would be, a point Hammond quickly dismisses. We don't want to spoil it too much more, but if you're a fan of the biggest TV show in the world (350 million viewers, constantly illegally downloaded), you're going to want to have a read. Tip of Stig's blanco racing helmet to Jon!

[Source: Guardian]

Top Gear: A little history about everybody's favorite TV show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andu WilmanAnduWilmanAndy WilliamJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonpulp fictionPulpFictionRichard HammondRichardHammondStigthe gimpThe StigTheGimpTheStigTop GearTopGearThu, 12 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Top Gear</i> Season 14 returns this Sunday]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-top-gear-season-14-returns-this-sunday/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-top-gear-season-14-returns-this-sunday/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-top-gear-season-14-returns-this-sunday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jeremy Clarkson returns for Top Gear Season 14 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Guess what boys and girls? Everyone's favorite car-related show is coming back for a fourteenth season! That's fantastic news for gearheads everywhere, especially considering that at the end of last season there was some speculation that Top Gear wouldn't be coming back at all. But of course, here they are.

What adventures will JC, May and and Hammond (and let's not forget Stiggie!) get up to this season? We're glad you asked. A few months ago we told y'all about how the boys got caught in Romania driving some very precious metal (Lamborghini LP560-4 Spyder, Ferrari California, Aston Martin DBS Volante) up in the Carpathian Mountains on a very special highway known as the Transfagarasan Road. And that's what we get at the very end of the preview trailer.

What other adventures do the boys get up to during the very short teaser trailer? Season 14 looks to be more of the same, thankfully. You got a delivery van race, some sort of cheapo challenge where's Jezza's car catches fire, a hot hatch speeding through a drainage pipe and a homemade tank/Hummer H1. We also tracked down a late night, second bottle of whiskey type screed from one of TG's producers, but we can't make heads or tails of it. Anyhow, make the jump to watch the trailer.

[Source: BBC 2]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear Season 14 returns this Sunday

VIDEO: Top Gear Season 14 returns this Sunday originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>James MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonJezzaRichard HammondRichardHammondStigThe StigTheStigTop GearTop Gear 14Top Gear Season 14TopGearTopGear14TopGearSeason14Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[UK adventurer challenges Clarkson to cross Sahara in 1937 Austin 7 Ruby]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/uk-adventurer-challenges-clarkson-to-cross-sahara-in-1937-austin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/uk-adventurer-challenges-clarkson-to-cross-sahara-in-1937-austin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/uk-adventurer-challenges-clarkson-to-cross-sahara-in-1937-austin/#commentsFiled under: ,

Now we're talking! If there's one thing we're in favor of its pushing cars to their breaking point. See LeMons. But what about pushing cars past their breaking point? Like across Africa? That's exactly what British journalist and adventurer Brian Milton did in 1968 when he took a 1937 Austin 7 Ruby and drove it across the Sahara Desert to meet his fiancee.

Mr. Milton has written a book about his forty-one year old adventure entitled Alexa -- the Life and Death of an Austin 7 Ruby. And to our ears, it sounds wonderful:
"I motored 1,800 miles on rough track across the Sahara... I reached a Nigeria that was wracked by civil war... I survived. But alas, my Austin 7 did not. We crashed once and ran out of water twice in the Sahara. I drove 2,000 miles on three pistons and 900 miles without brakes, lights, shock absorbers or starting motor or handle."
Mr. Milton has sent a copy of Alexa to none other than Jeremy "Torques" Clarkson, asking the Top Gear star to go on and recreate his 1968 adventure. While some might argue that driving a Lancia Beta Coupe across the desert might get Jezza off the hook, we'd totally watch him and May and Hammond kill themselves in something as dodgy as an Austin 7. Interested in reading about Brian Milton's adventure? Alexa can be purchased right here.

[Source: East London Advertiser]

UK adventurer challenges Clarkson to cross Sahara in 1937 Austin 7 Ruby originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AfricaAustin 7Austin 7 RubyAustin7Austin7RubyBrian MiltonBrianMiltonJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonJezzaRichard HaRichardHaSaharaTop GearTopGearThu, 29 Oct 2009 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> faces mounting criticism over costly new stunts. Again.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/top-gear-faces-mounting-criticism-over-costly-new-stunts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/top-gear-faces-mounting-criticism-over-costly-new-stunts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/top-gear-faces-mounting-criticism-over-costly-new-stunts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Top Gear fans greet each new season with more eager glee. Top Gear critics have taken to welcoming each new run with more criticism. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the latest "How dare they!" comes from a Minister of Parliament (MP) and Friends of the Earth, who want to run TG up the flagpole for "extravagant costs" and 'wanton destruction" -- those two things coincidentally being two of the things that fans love most.

The show went to Belfast, Ireland to film a few segments that included lofting a car to the top of a gigantic crane, launching a Renault Twingo into the sea, as well as a bit of garden variety drag racing. The MP, Gregory Campbell, is aghast at the apparent cost of such stunts, and even more aghast at the fact that the BBC won't reveal exactly how much the stunts cost. The supposed tally is £200,000 ($315,150 U.S.) for Belfast segments that might make up 10 minutes of the show.

Joining Campbell in outrage is Declan Allison from Friends of the Earth, who said: "The wanton destruction of tens of thousands of pounds worth of machinery impresses no-one. It's a wasteful extravagance and, in the middle of a global recession, in very poor taste."

So there. The complaints will probably have as much effect on the show as previous complaints, which is to say, pffffft. We're far more interested in finding out what Clarkson meant when he said that show heads want "black Muslim lesbian" presenters.

[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

Top Gear faces mounting criticism over costly new stunts. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc americaBbcAmericabelfastetceuropefriends of the earthFriendsOfTheEarthirelandjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonrichard hammondRichardHammondtelevisiontop gearTopGearTue, 13 Oct 2009 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Hammond says <i>Top Gear</i> crew's scariest moment was infamous Southern U.S. episode [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-crews-scariest-moment-was/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-crews-scariest-moment-was/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-crews-scariest-moment-was/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Top Gear's Rednecks in Alabama USA - click above to watch the videos

Seems like forever since we've run a Top Gear post, no? And hey, when the world's most popular car show is on hiatus we tend to get a bit... withdrawn. Because, well, we just love the antics. Like the time Clarkson had a Bugatti Veyron and Hammond was stuck in the back of May's Cessna as they raced back to London. Brilliant, right? Or how about the £1,500 Porsche challenge. We try to watch it once a month. And let's not forget the time they bought a bunch of used cars in Florida and drove 'em across the South. Actually... was that even real? Like, did Confederate Flag crazed rednecks really try to kill all three of them? Here's what the tiniest but toughest member of Top Gear has to say about it:
It's a pretty lengthy story, but in the course of our trip, by way of an entertaining diversion to keep up our spirits during an especially lengthy drive, we had devised a plan whereby we would each try to get the others killed.
Hmm, okay, yes - very funny, but really? Like, for reals?
[W]e all felt that we would cause, at worst, a ripple of offence no deeper than that which might be generated among the residents of Cornwall by three visitors driving their cars through Truro with "Cream teas are rubbish" painted down the sides. We covered three miles before being placed in genuine fear for our lives.
Fun! And then they pulled into that gas station where they were approached by a woman that asked, "Y'all queers trying to see how long you can last in a hick town?" If you've seen the episode, you know how it ends. And if you haven't, we've got it after the jump. And we strongly advise you to read the rest of Hammond's remarks, as they are quite, um, enlightening.

[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading Hammond says Top Gear crew's scariest moment was infamous Southern U.S. episode [w/VIDEO]

Hammond says Top Gear crew's scariest moment was infamous Southern U.S. episode [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlabamaBBCJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonredneckRichard HammondRichardHammondSouthern U.S.Southern USSouthernU.s.SouthernUsTop GearTopGearWed, 07 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Top Gear Live</i> holding design-your-own-stunt contest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-i-top-gear-live-i-holding-design-your-own-stunt-contes/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-i-top-gear-live-i-holding-design-your-own-stunt-contes/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-i-top-gear-live-i-holding-design-your-own-stunt-contes/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Top Gear Live Contest - Click above to watch the video after the jump

We love Top Gear for a lot of reasons, but we love the British motoring series most for its big-budget creativity. After all, how many shows are going to storm a beach in a Ford Fiesta? And from everything we've seen and heard, Top Gear Live takes the creativity to the next level with its gold envelope challenge. This year, the live theatrical extravaganza starring Clarkson, May and Hammond is looking for even more bombastic challenges for the its new season.

While we're sure the TGL team will come up with some amazing stunts, this year, the live show is giving you the opportunity to come up with a crazier stunt than the show's producers could ever dream. To enter, contestants must propose a stunt in the form of a YouTube video due in by October 14.

The TGL team will select five winners from each of the eight live events in the 2009-2010 season, and winners will receive a pair of tickets to the show of their choosing and a leather jacket signed by Clarkson, May and Hammond. Unfortunately, anyone who wins a pair of tickets will be responsible for their own travel or accommodations, so if you can't afford a trip to London (UK), Birmingham (UK), Dublin (Ireland), Johannesburg (S.Africa), Sydney (Australia), Auckland (NZ), Hong Kong (China), or Amsterdam (Holland), you may want to sit this one out. Hit the jump to watch the clever promotional video, click here for contest terms and conditions, and feel free to share your stunt ideas with your fellow readers in 'Comments.'

[Source: Top Gear Live via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear Live holding design-your-own-stunt contest

VIDEO: Top Gear Live holding design-your-own-stunt contest originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clarksonhammondjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonmayrichard hammondRichardHammondTGLtop geartop gear contesttop gear liveTopGearTopGearContestTopGearLiveThu, 01 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: <i>Top Gear</i> host James May crashes camper-dirigible near freeway, unhurt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/report-i-top-gear-i-host-james-may-crashes-camper-dirigible/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/report-i-top-gear-i-host-james-may-crashes-camper-dirigible/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/report-i-top-gear-i-host-james-may-crashes-camper-dirigible/#commentsFiled under: , ,



No guts, no glory, and it wouldn't be a Top Gear episode without some kind of outrageous stunt or challenge. The propensity of autodom's favorite trio to flirt with danger has led to mishaps in the past, most famously, Richard Hammond (right) and his near-death tussle with a high speed rocket car, and now it's James May's (left) turn for a cock-up.

The UK's Daily Mail reports that May was riding in a caravan (that's a camper to you, buddy) lashed to the bottom of a dirigible, only to be blown off course by wind that had been uncooperative all day. Rather than land on a busy cricket green full of white-togged players, the whole rig wound up succumbing to the wind and crash landed in a farmer's field. May was unhurt, and will live to crash another day - provided the BBC doesn't succumb to pressures calling for the program's demise.

[Source: Daily Mail I Image: Chris Jackson/Getty]

REPORT: Top Gear host James May crashes camper-dirigible near freeway, unhurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCjames mayjames may crashjames may top gearJamesMayJamesMayCrashJamesMayTopGearmay top gearMayTopGearrichard hammondRichardHammondtop geartop gear crashTopGearTopGearCrashThu, 01 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> posse spotted filming with bevy of exotics in Romania]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/i-top-gear-i-posse-spotted-filming-with-bevy-of-exotics-in-ro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/i-top-gear-i-posse-spotted-filming-with-bevy-of-exotics-in-ro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/i-top-gear-i-posse-spotted-filming-with-bevy-of-exotics-in-ro/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Top Gear crew is preparing the show's 14th season and they've gone to the home of Vlad the Impaler for some help. Piloting a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, Aston Martin DBS Volante, and Ferrari California, the production closed down the Transfagarasan Road that climbs over Romania's Carpathian Mountains.

And as if the road itself, the area's scenery, and connection to Dracula weren't enough, it is said that the Transfagarasan has more tunnels and viaducts than any other road in Romania. It should make this particular TG episode a pump-up-the-volume affair.

Naturally, there are TG side stories to go with the news. When they weren't driving -- and putting scratches on the Gallardo and DBS -- they were drinking local "nectar" and relieving themselves in the woods. Ah, Top Gear, bring on season #14.

[Source: Romanian Times | Image: bortescristian via CC2.0]

Top Gear posse spotted filming with bevy of exotics in Romania originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcclarksonetceuropehammondjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonmayrichard hammondRichardHammondromaniatelevisiontgtop gearTopGearSun, 27 Sep 2009 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Mos-Def High-Def: <i>Top Gear</i> shooting in 1080p ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/report-mos-def-high-def-i-top-gear-i-shooting-in-1080p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/report-mos-def-high-def-i-top-gear-i-shooting-in-1080p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/report-mos-def-high-def-i-top-gear-i-shooting-in-1080p/#commentsFiled under: ,



Regardless of what viewers may think of the opinions of Jeremy Clarkson and his cohorts at Top Gear, no one can argue with the production values. The cinematography is magnificent and even those who couldn't care less about cars find themselves getting sucked into the BBC program's visuals. Amazingly though, aside from one 2007 special, the show has always been shot with standard definition cameras (*cue Clarkson voice*).... Until now. In a post on the BBC's blog, Danielle Nagler, head of the HD division, announced that the upcoming 14th series of Top Gear is being shot with high definition cameras.

The new series will debut in the UK on November 15, which means that we should be seeing it on BBC America sometime in 2019. Give or take. The U.S.-based BBC America cable channel just started running series 7 of the show. While we love the show here at Autoblog headquarters, we sincerely wish we didn't have to resort to the torrents to get our fix at the same time as our British friends.

[Source: BBC Internet blog via EngadgetHD]

REPORT: Mos-Def High-Def: Top Gear shooting in 1080p originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbchdhdtvhigh definitionhigh definition tvhigh definition videoHighDefinitionHighDefinitionTvHighDefinitionVideoJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRichard HammondRichardHammondtop geartop gear hdtop gear high deftop gear high definitionTopGearTopGearHdTopGearHighDefTopGearHighDefinitionWed, 23 Sep 2009 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Brick By Brick: James May's Lego house comes down]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/brick-by-brick-james-mays-lego-house-comes-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/brick-by-brick-james-mays-lego-house-comes-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/brick-by-brick-james-mays-lego-house-comes-down/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Top Gear host James May went to Dorking, England and built a Lego fort house in an orchard with more than three million Lego pieces. Now it's time for him to vacate the premises, and the house has been torn down. Mays had tried to get the structure taken to the Lego park in Windsor, but the cost and logistics were too challenging for the park to accept.

So now it's dismantled, all the way down to its red Lego slippers. With the plastic fantastic house in pieces, all of the bricks will go to charity and "they have all been allocated, so people can't just turn up with a bucket." That means you. Yet we do wonder if that goes for the Lego toilet as well...

[Source: Get Surrey | Image: Huladancer/Flickr/CC]

Brick By Brick: James May's Lego house comes down originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captain slowCaptainSlowdorkingenglandjames mayJamesMaylegolego houseLegoHouselegossurreytop gearTopGeartoysukWed, 23 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Remember that 'No Women on <i>Top Gear</i>' thing? Forget it. Hammond wants Angelina]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/remember-that-no-women-on-i-top-gear-i-thing-forget-it-ha/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/remember-that-no-women-on-i-top-gear-i-thing-forget-it-ha/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/remember-that-no-women-on-i-top-gear-i-thing-forget-it-ha/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Last month, Jeremy Clarkson said that introducing a female host to Top Gear "would be a disaster." The relative youngster among the Top Gear crew, Richard Hammond, isn't so sure he'd call it a disaster, depending on the female in question. Hammond's opinion is that old fogies Clarkson and May are simply out of it, and "If we had to have a female co-host, I think we'd all choose Angelina Jolie," because she "has a Land Rover and guns."

It doesn't hurt that a fair bit of the population finds Jolie rather attractive, and Hammond is no different. And there is where Hammond might have just proved Clarkson's point about a female host being a catastrophe. Calling Jolie "utterly, utterly gorgeous," Hammond says with her on the crew "I'd just keep fainting." And how good could TG be with Clarkson, Captain Slow, Jolie, and a comatose Hamster?

[Source: IOL | Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty]

Remember that 'No Women on Top Gear' thing? Forget it. Hammond wants Angelina originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliebbcjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonrichard hammondRichardHammondtop gearTopGearFri, 11 Sep 2009 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Hammond says <i>Top Gear</i> to go out on a surprise high]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/06/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-to-go-out-on-a-surprise-hig/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/06/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-to-go-out-on-a-surprise-hig/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/06/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-to-go-out-on-a-surprise-hig/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's not pretty to watch once-popular shows and their stars drag things on years beyond their relevance. Everything that's hot, hip, and new right now -- the media creations that set tongues wagging -- they're all headed for their respective versions of Vegas Elvis. Even Top Gear, regarded by many to be the best car programming of all time, has a Bedazzled jumpsuit hiding somewhere in the wardrobe trailer.

Presenter Richard Hammond has said that he, James May, and Jeremy Clarkson have discussed how the show should go out. An exit at the top of its game without undue fanfare seems to be the prevailing wisdom; the only trouble will be knowing when that time is without overshooting it.

Rather than have an over-the-top final episode extravaganza, Top Gear will end its run like a regular signoff, at least if Hammond's vision becomes the plan for closure. Instead of a show full of surprises, the biggest surprise of all will be that there are no more shows forthcoming. Ending TG sounds sad, but it would likely not hold the boys back. The success of Top Gear has opened other doors for the presenters and given them status as media personalities that now makes it possible for numerous side gigs. Hammond himself has several irons in the fire in addition to Top Gear, so even if the program goes out at its zenith, we may yet see the Hamster in that jumpsuit, if only for some stunt on one of his other shows.

[Source: Times Online | Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty]

Richard Hammond says Top Gear to go out on a surprise high originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clarkson top gearClarksonTopGearfalsefinal top gearFinalTopGearhammond top gearHammondTopGearjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonmay top gearMayTopGearrichard hammondRichardHammondtop geartop gear endtop gear finaltop gear richard hammondTopGearTopGearEndTopGearFinalTopGearRichardHammondSun, 06 Sep 2009 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Thieves derail James May's bid for toy train record]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/report-thieves-derail-james-mays-bid-for-toy-train-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/report-thieves-derail-james-mays-bid-for-toy-train-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/report-thieves-derail-james-mays-bid-for-toy-train-record/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Railroad enthusiasts are a pretty passionate bunch. They're not auto enthusiast crazy, but they're close. Top Gear presenter James May fed off that steam-powered energy by working with 400 volunteers to build the longest ever toy train track for his new BBC series James May's Toy Stories. The track was to travel 10 miles from Barnstaple to Bideford, North Devon in the UK, and the Guinness book of World Records was on hand to record the feat for prosperity in the event that it succeeded.

As the Telegraph tells it, the ambitious toy track likely would have been a record setting effort were it not for some vandals who decided to sabotage the attempt. Sections of the track - which were laid with assistance from the British version of the Boy Scouts - were stolen, and two pence coins were dropped on the track to disrupt power and blow the train's battery. The cowardly acts of a few idiots ultimately resulted in James May and his gang of volunteers missing the opportunity to be added to the Guinness Book of World Records, but organizers decided to stay positive and call the event a success due to the fact that all 10 miles of the track were linked at one point.

We're guessing May will get another shot at Guinness with planned stunts like building a life-size Lego house or a life-size Meccano bridge, but it would have been nice if a few jerks didn't ruin the fun of hundreds of toy train geeks aficionados.

[Source: Telegraph | Image: Dave Hogan/Getty]

REPORT: Thieves derail James May's bid for toy train record originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCjames mayjames mays toy storiesJamesMayJamesMaysToyStoriesscale modelscale trainScaleModelScaleTrainthieftop gearTopGeartoy trainToyTraintrain tracktrainsTrainTrackThu, 27 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Stig and the boys immortalized in bricks as <i>Top Gear</i> makes it to Legoland]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/22/stig-and-the-boys-immortalized-in-bricks-as-i-top-gear-i-make/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/22/stig-and-the-boys-immortalized-in-bricks-as-i-top-gear-i-make/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/22/stig-and-the-boys-immortalized-in-bricks-as-i-top-gear-i-make/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Top Gear crew rendered in LEGO - High-res version available at flickr

Another Saturday, another LEGO car story. This time, the little Danish bricks have been used to immortalize the presenters from our favorite automotive television show, Top Gear. In honor of the show naming the Caterham Superlight R500 its Car of the Year, the UK's Legoland built a miniature version of the car, along with the whole cast. Taking their place in the park's MINILAND exhibit in Windsor are none other than Jezza, Hamster, Captain Slow and The Stig (clockwise from bottom in the above photo).

[Source: Telegraph.co.uk | Image: hyku | Image License: CC SA 2.0]

Stig and the boys immortalized in bricks as Top Gear makes it to Legoland originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>james mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonlegolego carlego carsLegoCarLegoCarsrichard hammondRichardHammondstigthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearSat, 22 Aug 2009 13:49:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/video-worlds-longest-scalectric-track-assembled-at-brooklands/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/video-worlds-longest-scalectric-track-assembled-at-brooklands/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/video-worlds-longest-scalectric-track-assembled-at-brooklands/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

When Great Britain's Brooklands motor racing circuit opened in 1907, it was the first purpose-built motorsport venue in the world. At 2.75 miles, the course is an oldie but a goodie, and the perfect place to make automotive history. To that end, on August 16, legendary slot racing brand Scalextric, along with hoards of volunteers, built the world's largest slot car track around the Brooklands circuit in Surrey. The track was built using 20,000 sections, built over roads, water, wilderness and just about any other condition one could imagine. That's an impressive feat that is more remarkable when considering that power and remote control had to be built into the Guinness record braking track.

The recordbreaking slot track race will be featured by Top Gear host James May in his new BBC2 series James May's Toy Stories. May even raised the checkered flag at the conclusion of the world's longest slot car race. Hit the jump to watch the building and racing of this amazing slot track, as well as a second video that features May waving the checkered flag at the conclusion of the race.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates

VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.75 mile track2.75MileTrackbbcbrooklandsGuinessGuinnessguinness book of world recordsGuinnessBookOfWorldRecordsjames mayJamesMayscalectricslot carslot car racingSlotCarSlotCarRacingtop gearTopGearWed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay find of the Day: Clarkson's Cheap Car Challenge Mitsubishi Starion [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/ebay-find-of-the-day-clarksons-cheap-car-challenge-mitsubishi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/ebay-find-of-the-day-clarksons-cheap-car-challenge-mitsubishi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/ebay-find-of-the-day-clarksons-cheap-car-challenge-mitsubishi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Jeremy Clarkson's Mitsubishi Starion - click above image for high-res gallery

Oh, yes. Think back to when you first really fell in love with Top Gear. For this author, it was actually the Cheap Porsche Challenge. But it may as well have been the Cheap Coupes That Aren't Porsches Challenge that came later. To refresh your memory a bit, May shows up in a hopeless smoking and leaking Jaguar XJ-S. Hammond brings a BMW 635 CSi, which is... fine, though a touch predictable.

But Clarkson shows up in an honest-to-goodness Mitsubishi Starion, complete with a muscular 2.6-liter turbocharged four and gaffer tape holding the rear louvers in place. The boys then bang the cars around the Millbrook Proving Ground before finally grinding the cars to dust in a grass track race. Better still, if you have the quids, the once was red, but now is Mitsubishi Rally livery Starion could be yours.

The seller actually sold the car to Clarkson, then bought it back after the segment was finished in 2005. As Jeremy points out in the clip, this is the last Starion ever registered in Britain. Not only that, but since the BBC show taping, the seller has rebuilt the engine, added a new clutch, redone the cooling system, retuned the suspension and even performed a little bit of body restoration. Still not convinced? Jezza signed the roof of the Mitsu, "this is the best car in the world, Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear." Very nice, and remember: Must Bash Hammond. Watch the Cheap Coupes That Aren't Porsches Challenge segment after the jump, and hurry up - you don't have long to get your bid in.


Gallery: Jeremy Clarkson's Mitsubishi Starion


[Source: eBay via Final Gear]

Continue reading eBay find of the Day: Clarkson's Cheap Car Challenge Mitsubishi Starion [w/VIDEO]

eBay find of the Day: Clarkson's Cheap Car Challenge Mitsubishi Starion [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCeBayJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonMillbrookMillbrook Proving GroundMillbrookProvingGroundMitsubishiMitsubishi StarionMitsubishiStarionRichard HammondRichardHammondStarionTop GearTopGearThu, 06 Aug 2009 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: <i>Top Gear</i> not dead [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/breaking-i-top-gear-i-not-dead-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/breaking-i-top-gear-i-not-dead-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/breaking-i-top-gear-i-not-dead-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Jeremy Clarkson waxes euphoric about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above to watch the video

Internet rumors are a funny thing. Back during the last presidential campaign, 10% of voters polled thought Barack Obama was a Muslim... until his campaign staffers came out and denied he was a Muslim. Then 14% of us thought he was a Muslim. And you can see the same thing happening with another bout of "Top Gear is dead!" rumormongering. Seriously folks, the "TG is dead" gossip that accompanies the end of every single season is getting just as old as "Will Brett Favre come out of retirement?" Both have surpassed the point of story and are now borderline ritual. Actually, it's looking like this year, Favre's staying on the farm down in Mississippi. Which makes the Top Gear rumors even more annoying.

The last segment of the last episode of Season 13 showed an uncharacteristically toned down Clarkson waxing extra-poetic about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and how he fears that because of environmental worries, the busted global economy and the particularly British "War On Speed," that the days of the supercar are finished. As a result, he seems a bit sad. So sad, in fact, that many around the globe (and especially those at their keyboards) started in with the inevitable, "Top Gear is dead" refrain. Well, that and James May might have been seen crossing a street not wearing any shoes. But guess what? Everyone's favorite car show is coming back for a 14th season.

According to both The Sun and some website called Top Gear, Jezza, Hammond and May are going no where. Says Clarkson, "I can assure everyone I'll be back in November doing Top Gear. We're filming the next series and already have several things in the can. I couldn't think of anything I'd want to do more." So you heard it here first - Top Gear Season 14 starts in November. Amazing what a bit of research can do, no?

Speaking of which - we unearthed Clarkson's actual review of the V12 Vantage. And much unlike the three sentences he said about the car for the now infamous segment, Jeremy didn't like Aston Martin very much at all. See, Jeremy thinks that the real top Aston is the DBS. But it costs $269,000. Now, the V12 Vantage goes for $209,000, but is the new car 99% of the DBS for $60,000 less? Says Jezza, "I was pondering this earlier on today while blasting down a sun-flickered Cotswold road in my wife's 4.7-liter V8 Vantage convertible. And then the obvious answer hit me: The car I'd buy is the one I was in." Indeed. For those interested parties, the notorious video is posted after the jump.


Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage


[Sources: The Sun; Top Gear]

Continue reading BREAKING: Top Gear not dead [w/VIDEO]

BREAKING: Top Gear not dead [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aston MartinAston Martin DBSAston Martin V12 VantageAston Marting VantageAstonMartinAstonMartinDbsAstonMartingVantageAstonMartinV12VantageBBCBrett FavreBrettFavreJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonJezzaRichard HammondRichardHammondTop GearTopGearV12 VantageV12VantageVantageTue, 04 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: James May to build life-sized Lego house. But what's in the garage?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/report-james-may-to-build-life-sized-lego-house-but-whats-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/report-james-may-to-build-life-sized-lego-house-but-whats-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/report-james-may-to-build-life-sized-lego-house-but-whats-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,



James May, a.k.a. Captain Slow on Top Gear, has a BBC show called James May's Toy Stories. After building an award-winning Plasticine garden and the world's largest model airplane, the next thing on May's list is a house built of Legos. A two-storey house. And he intends to live in it for a weekend.

The house will be built in Dorking, England and everything that can be made out of Legos will be made out of Lego. Said May, "I've got a man working on a flushing Lego lavatory. We think it's possible." Seeing that Legoland doesn't even have a house made of Lego - and certainly not Lego toilets - this should indeed be a "pioneering Lego cause." So far, three million Lego bricks have been contributed to the build, but May is looking for more in case you have any lying around.

[Source: BBC]

REPORT: James May to build life-sized Lego house. But what's in the garage? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbuilding blockbuilding blocksBuildingBlockBuildingBlockscelebrityenglandetcjames mayJamesMaylegolegolandlegostop gearTopGeartoytoysukMon, 27 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST