Hamilton takes Top Gear challenge (Top gear reminder)

[acrobat]

Actually, the reason I asked, is because I wondered if it was Damon Hill. I saw him on TV several years ago, on some program... where he drove a "normal" car around a track. He was amazing, doing all kinds of stunts with it. He drove it like it was a part of his body, and whoever was sitting with him, was cacking themselves, while Damon was just chuckling and throwing it around.

Not only that, but F1 is such a high standard, I did wonder if it took someone of that standard to get the position of the Stig. And perhaps, it allows them to really test the latest super cars, because they can say, "We have a former F1 champion".


p.s. I don't like really Top Gear either. There is way too much messing about on it. I am not vaguely interested by smashing up caravans or racing across a desert in beat up old cars etc.. I only really want to see fast cars being ragged around and reviewed.

[arbitor]

That isnt popular anymore hence the change...

Remember when they tested normal cars?

they dont do it anymore, because it wasnt selling aswell as the it does now

[CrimsonAvenger]

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton is to swap his multi-million pound, 230mph McLaren to drive a modest family car for BBC Two's Top Gear show on Sunday. BBC SPORT

I can't wait for this one! think Hamilton can do it? stig's got a good time of 1.44.4 not beaten by Jenson Button

Cheers - in the planner now. Looking forward to it

[icanhazburger]

The health and safety report into Hamsters crash apparently named Ben Collins as a consultant for the show, kind of hinted who it was there.

[this_is_gav]

Hill was apparently dragged into the 'star in a reasonably priced car' when another celebrity pulled out at the last minute. The whole interview wreaked of Jeremy thinking "I know more than you [audience] do".

I wouldn't read too much into the F1 racing lines. It's not difficult to just take a slightly different line to throw people off the scent

In an upcoming episode there was no secrecy at all when the Stig went into a garage, then came straight out minus his helmet. In this episode they had 4 Stigs registered. I'll put the rest in white text so as not to spoil it.

* highlight from here*
The Top Gear team entered into the Britcar 24hrs. The 3 regular presented all entered in a single car, with the '4th' driver being the Stig. For the event they had 4 unnamed drivers all registered as the Stig for the race. Ben Collins was the primary driver of the car, but along with the other 3 Stigs (who never raced for the team) raced in other cars too. The TG car crashed at one point, and I'd just love the irony if the car they crashed into was driven by another Stig. At one point the Stig (Ben Collings) drove into the pits, got out of the car, and went straight up to the press centre, still in the overalls, all in full view of the public, as the pits were open to amatuer photographers, and one of the FinalGear guys had a press pass for the press centre.
* highlight to here*

In other TG news, some FinalGear members got together to get Richard Hammond a gift for when he was getting better after his rocket car crash. They bought a racing helmet and set about decorating it with some Hammond inspired logos and sent it off to TG earlier this year. He's wore the helmet in several shoots since, the most prominent so far being the race between the Veyron and the Eurofighter. Just thought it was a nice little story.

[Blackmage]

Very impressive by Hamilton.... showed his quality right their.. 1.44.7 in the wet.

[ACiD303]

I'm really sceptical about that. It looked awful in parts, but maybe it was the slow in fast out thing....

Mind you, if James Blunt did it in 1:48 in the wet, and Jezza thinks it's 4 seconds per lap deficit in the wet, then maybe. But I dont think it's 4 seconds difference.

[Nick F]

I saw on the Top Gear blog that he is going to back for sure in the summer to try again in the dry. I'm sure he will smash the Stigs time.

[arbitor]

I'm really sceptical about that. It looked awful in parts, but maybe it was the slow in fast out thing....

Mind you, if James Blunt did it in 1:48 in the wet, and Jezza thinks it's 4 seconds per lap deficit in the wet, then maybe. But I dont think it's 4 seconds difference.

They never look GOOD as the cars slow

[Akwaaba]

Very impressive by Hamilton.... showed his quality right their.. 1.44.7 in the wet.

If the time is true, then that is hugely impressive, only a few tenths behind a time Jensen set in the dry!

[Blackmage]

I'm really sceptical about that. It looked awful in parts, but maybe it was the slow in fast out thing....

Mind you, if James Blunt did it in 1:48 in the wet, and Jezza thinks it's 4 seconds per lap deficit in the wet, then maybe. But I dont think it's 4 seconds difference.

Hamilton said he'll come back in the summer i expect to see a close 1.41 from him then

[Blackmage]

BBC Media Player

The link! for all to see

[dave87]

Didn't someone say if it looks slow its because it is under control and therefore quicker? I mean sliding sideways round a track looks impressive, but unless you are sliding down Japanese mountains, not exactly quick.

[pendulum666]

I saw Hamilton last night too. Was a good watch. I though James Blunt was quite funny as well actually!

[nichomach]

I though James Blunt was quite funny as well actually!

Yep; his music might still annoy the **** out of me, but he seems a thoroughly good guy. Good lap time too.

[pendulum666]

Yeah he got 4th most annoying in a survey didn't he old James Blunt lol!! He said he was dissapointed not to get top.