Top Gear Disabled Parking Apology

Andy Wilman who is the executive producer for the show apologised for any offence but stated Top Gear did have permission to use the disabled parking bays. He issued the apology on the Top Gear website saying:

“We have received complaints following the electric car film on Sunday about the presenters parking in disabled bays during the filming, and much of the anger has been aimed at Jeremy and James. I’d like to put the record straight here.

Firstly, we did have permission from the owner of the premises to park in the disabled bays, which gave us a quiet spot to film in, and there were three other disabled bays available which remained empty throughout.

Secondly, for those who are cross with us, please direct your anger towards myself and the production team, rather than at Jeremy and James. Both presenters expressed deep concern to the film crew and me about using the disabled bays prior to filming, because of the disrespectful impression it would convey. They only capitulated when we assured them the parking had been approved by the owner, and that the disabled bay markings would not appear on television.

This was our fault, not theirs, and we unreservedly apologise to all the viewers we have upset as a consequence.”

Rowan Atkinson looked funny in a helmet but his driving was no joke, a super smooth lap with no drama put him right at the top of the Top Gear fastest lap leader board. He didn’t seem too excited but maybe he was just gob-smacked? (although I think not).

Update 05/08/11: just seen a picture of the Maclaren super car that Rowan Atkinson crashed on a country road! Maybe he thought he was still on the Top Gear track or just got unlucky, but it really didn’t look in a good state. Glad his injuries aren’t too severe, he’s a lucky boy!

Top Gear

Someone called “Source” apparently told the Sun newspaper “The prince is a massive Top Gear fan and is dying to give the Kia a spin. He loves driving and ideally he’d like to beat Tom Cruise just for the boasting rights.” They also added about Prince Harry bringing some troops on the Top Gear TV show with him “He doesn’t want it to be all about him. He wants to raise awareness of the Armed Forces.”

The royal family seem not to be able to stay out of the media spotlight at the moment which is pretty boring, but another series of Top Gear on our TV screen in all its HD glory is never a bad thing.

Top Gear

Tom Cruise is apparently quoted by What’s On TV as saying: “It was fun, very fun. I like fast cars and motorcycles – I’ve always loved them since I was a kid. We did timed laps. It’s very exciting – we know the score and we want to tell everybody, but we can’t because we want them to watch the show. I love speed. What I love about it is that you have to live in the moment, and I love just being in the moment.”

That’s fantastic Tom but it doesn’t explain why you made this rather rubbish film with Cameron Diaz (well apart from the money). I may like a bargain cheap television but I don’t want to watch crappy films on it when they come to DVD and BlueRay.

James May Scalextric Track Toy Stories

I’ll be honest although I was pleased to see Top Gear back again I have to admit it was far too scripted on last night’s show. The GT part to Romania was cool apart from the staged lorry into car part (it’s like they’re trying too hard to be funny). And the james May test was just plain awful, he is much better on his Toy Stories TV show.

So tomorrow at 8pm on BBC Two James May will be making the world’s longest Scalextric track for his Toy Stories TV show. At nearly 3 miles long I’m wondering how they got the power to work the whole way around it and how the competitors will be able to see the whole Scalextric track!

From BBC Two “James May continues his quest to show what is possible with old-fashioned toys by using them on a scale never seen before.James attempts to build the biggest Scalextric track in the world, nearly three miles long, on the site of Britain’s oldest grand prix track at Brooklands in Surrey. The track will have to go through people’s gardens, over ponds and rivers and even negotiate a business park. Who will win the race of the century, the plucky locals or the team of Scalextric experts?”.

James May Toy Stories giant Scalextric track 16/11/09 8pm BBC Two.

Top Gear Ferrari California

The first episode we will see Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May take an Aston DBS Volante, a Ferrari California and a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder to Romania to find what has been described as the greatest road in the world. James May testing the BMW 760i and Mercades S63 AMG (should be an interesting review with captain slow behind the wheel of two powerful cars). And the star in a reasonably priced car is Eric Bana (star of Star Trek, Troy and The Hulk. I’m all excited as you maybe able to tell, but please forgive me as this is by far cheap televisions favourite television show.

James May Toy Stories Meccano Bridge

The show on BBC Two is described as “James May subjects traditional toys to supersize challenges. Here, he joins forces with Edwina Currie and top engineers to build a full-size bridge from nothing but Meccano.” If your watching tonights episode of James May’s Toy Stories (as cheap TVs will be) and you want to let us know your thoughts or reviews please use the comments below. It would be great to get some other tele addicts opinions.

Image: BBC Two James May’s Toy Stories

James May Lego House

On the BBC website James May is quoted as saying ” Knocking it down is just wrong on every level. It’s a really lovely thing – it would break the hearts of the 1,000 people who worked like dogs to build it”.

Lego’s Martin Williams apparently also said ” We are so disappointed that we are unable to take this amazing Lego construction. We have looked at various options but unfortunately due to the costs and logistics of moving and re-building the house at Legoland, we are unable to proceed with this project”

Whatever happens to the James May Lego house it’s been a good bit of publicity for himself and the Toy Stories TV show. Now I just want Top Gear to come back to our televisions screens soon. Jeremy Clarkson has managed to get in the press too recently after some ecomaniacs dumped manure all over his front garden (I think they failed to realise farming is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gasses). But as they say all publicity is good publicity and I for one can’t wait to see more petrol burning fun on Top Gear soon .

Top Gear's Car Crash Richard Hammond

Apparently Richard Hammond was fine after crashing his Morgan Aeromax and exchanged insurance details with the other parties involved in the accident. Steve Pizzati who is a former professional race driver was also unhurt in his car crash, however it sounds much more dangerous than Hammond’s little shunt saying after the event “On the last lap the two guys in front of me banged wheels and hit me. I’ve got caught up in it and it’s caused me to flip – I guess you would say two and a half times, because the car’s ended up on its roof.” He also went on to say he had “humdinger of a headache and a sore neck” as a result of the crash.

For those who have been living without a television for the past god knows how long Richard Hammond was almost killed in 2006 when he crashed a Jetcar whilst filming a video for Top Gear on BBC2.

The BBC Top Gear website says about the first episode in the new series “The challenge behind this race was simple – the first one to get from London to Edinburgh would be the winner – but what happens along the way adds up to one of Top Gear’s most incredible and most epic races to date.” We shall wait and see when Top Gear returns to our tvs at 8pm on Sunday.