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[<i>Top Gear</i> crew responds to gay audience kerfuffle by bringing on the Village People. Sort of.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/top-gear-crew-responds-to-gay-audience-kerfuffle-by-bring/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/top-gear-crew-responds-to-gay-audience-kerfuffle-by-bring/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/top-gear-crew-responds-to-gay-audience-kerfuffle-by-bring/#commentsFiled under: , ,



What to Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May all have in common with the Village People? Well, nothing really, except for the fact that all of them were present and accounted for at last Sunday's taping of Top Gear in Britain. Sort of... actually, it was four men that the BBC crew hired to dress up like the stereotypically gay musical group of "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man" fame.

So, the next logical question: Why? To prove that Top Gear isn't homophobic, obviously. Just last week, word hit the Interwebs that a gay couple had been denied tickets to the super-popular British show due to a rule that TG's cast be made up equally of men and women. The BBC claims it doesn't deny gay people from its audience as long as the 50/50 rule is adhered to.

Never one to back down from controversy, Jeremy Clarkson reportedly said during the taping, "The truth is, we welcome homosexual couples. We particularly like the lesbian sort... I saw a film about lesbians on the Internet once. It looked very interesting." This is sure to smooth over any tensions between the gay community and Top Gear, dontcha think?

[Source: Mirror.co.uk]

Top Gear crew responds to gay audience kerfuffle by bringing on the Village People. Sort of. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCgayGLBTGLBTGjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonrichard hammondRichardHammondthe village peopleTheVillagePeopletop geartop gear audienceTopGearTopGearAudiencevillage peopleVillagePeopleThu, 10 Dec 2009 18:02:00 EST<![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[<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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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[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.

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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[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: Richard Hammond's Honda Fireblade vs... a rocket and a golf ball?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/08/video-richard-hammonds-honda-fireblade-vs-a-rocket-and-a-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/08/video-richard-hammonds-honda-fireblade-vs-a-rocket-and-a-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/08/video-richard-hammonds-honda-fireblade-vs-a-rocket-and-a-go/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Click above to watch the video after the break

We're not fans of the term "crotch rocket" in general when referring to motorcycles, but in the case of the video embedded after the break, it clearly applies. The sportbike in question is a previous-generation Honda Fireblade (that's a CBR1000RR here in the States) and it's being ridden by Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame. In this case, though, Hammond is presenting for a popular British show called Brainiac.

Going up against Hammond's Fireblade in a race to the finish line is a rather large rocket lifted straight from a fireworks bin and a golf ball hit by a crew member. The winner? You'll just have to follow the jump to find out. Be sure to stick around to the end for the best quote of the video.

[Source: Faster and Faster]

Continue reading VIDEO: Richard Hammond's Honda Fireblade vs... a rocket and a golf ball?

VIDEO: Richard Hammond's Honda Fireblade vs... a rocket and a golf ball? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainiacfireworks raceFireworksRacerichard hammondrichard hammond brainiacrichard hammond firebladerichard hammond motorcycleRichardHammondRichardHammondBrainiacRichardHammondFirebladeRichardHammondMotorcyclerocket motorcyclerocket raceRocketMotorcycleRocketRaceSat, 08 Aug 2009 20:05:00 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[No. 5 celebrity that U.K. men most want to have a date with: The <i>Top Gear</i> crew?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/no-5-celebrity-that-uk-men-most-want-to-have-a-date-with-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/no-5-celebrity-that-uk-men-most-want-to-have-a-date-with-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/no-5-celebrity-that-uk-men-most-want-to-have-a-date-with-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,



No, really. At least according to Madbid.com, a British auction site (£1,000 cash for £8.06) that arranges celebrity auctions for charity. First, which celebrity topped the list? The sultry, three-kinds of sexy Megan Fox, of course. Second place was British singer/soccer wife Cheryl Cole, third place was Angelina Jolie and fourth place went to Katie Price, sort of a younger, trashier English version of Pamela Anderson with much larger breast implants.

But never mind any of that, the #5 celebrity that British men would most like to go on a date with? Jezza, Hamster and Captain Slow. That's right, the Top Gear gang. Hmmm. We know most Brit males have sexual predilections that would make us Yanks blush, but... a date with James May? Really? Here's an American top tip for our brothers in Old Blighty: instead of calling it a date, say "people you would most like to have a beer with."

This whole thing is reminiscent of a report from 2005 when 25% of UK men wanted Jeremy Clarkson in their passenger seat, compared to only 17% for Angelina Jolie. To paraphrase James May, "I've ridden with Jeremy - you're all daft."

[Source: News Lite]

No. 5 celebrity that U.K. men most want to have a date with: The Top Gear crew? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angelina JolieAngelinaJolieCaptain SlowCaptainSlowCheryl ColeCherylColeHamsterJames MaysJamesMaysJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonJezzaKatie PriceKatiePriceMegan FoxMeganFoxRichard HammondRichardHammondTop GearTopGearTue, 04 Aug 2009 10:56:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> to recreate the <i>Italian Job</i> Mini sewer chase scene in Belfast?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/i-top-gear-i-to-recreate-the-i-italian-job-i-mini-sewer-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/i-top-gear-i-to-recreate-the-i-italian-job-i-mini-sewer-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/i-top-gear-i-to-recreate-the-i-italian-job-i-mini-sewer-ch/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It's been six years since director F. Gary Gray assembled an all-star cast including Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Jason Statham and Donald Sutherland to recreate the Michael Caine classic The Italian Job. And though the remake bore little resemblance to the original, the one part which the modern pretenders made sure to include was a recreation of the famous Mini police chase scene. Leave it to the Brits, though, to reclaim their national treasure, as new reports indicate that the BBC's hit car show Top Gear is planning a reenactment of their own.

Both the 1969 original and the 2003 remake featured scenes where the protagonists evade police pursuit in the sewers hauling millions of dollars worth of gold bars. The original was set in Turin but shot in Coventry (whose sewer system was then under construction) while the remake was set in Los Angeles, but Top Gear is gearing up to shoot in Belfast. Okay, you figure, Top Gear has set up lots of off-the-wall races already, right? This segment was actually pitched to the TG crew by the local water company, eager to promote the £100m new works project that has been under way since 2005 to replace the Victorian-era plumbing system in the Northern Ireland. Thanks for the tip, Sam... this ought to be good.

[Source: BBC | Image: Steve Finn/Getty]

Top Gear to recreate the Italian Job Mini sewer chase scene in Belfast? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc top gearBbcTopGearcharlize theronCharlizeTherondonald sutherlandDonaldSutherlanded nortonEdNortonedward nortonEdwardNortonitalian jobitalian job mini chase sceneItalianJobItalianJobMiniChaseScenejames mayJamesMayjason stathamJasonStathamjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonmark wahlbergMarkWahlbergminimini chase sceneMini Coopermini cooper chase sceneMiniChaseSceneMiniCooperMiniCooperChaseScenerichard hammondRichardHammondthe italian jobTheItalianJobtop gearTopGearThu, 23 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Sandra Bullock: "I live for Top Gear"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/sandra-bullock-i-live-for-top-gear/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/sandra-bullock-i-live-for-top-gear/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/sandra-bullock-i-live-for-top-gear/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When Sandra Bullock married motorcycle builder and former Monster Garage host Jessie James, we were a bit surprised. After all, how many Hollywood mega stars marry glorified mechanics? Now comes news from the California Chronicle that Ms. Bullock is a big Top Gear fan, adding "I love Top Gear. I live for Top Gear." That quote alone instantly makes the successful actress one of the more credible movie-makers in Southern California - well, at least to us.

Bullock reportedly loves TG so much, that she's angling for a spot as a Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, adding "one day I will be on Top Gear, even though the helmet would make me look so bad - and one day I would like to wreck the car in a blaze of glory." If Marky Mark can do it, we're sure Ms. Bullock would be just fine.

Bullock says the reason she loves TG is the show's hosts, and for that reason she says she's glad the U.S. version of the show was a flop before it even started. We never knew we had so much in common with Miss Congeniality. Well, her big break did come in the movie Speed, so she couldn't be too bad, right?

[Source: California Chronicle | Source Image: Johannes Simon/Getty]

Sandra Bullock: "I live for Top Gear" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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