[Polar Challenge Special] July 25th, 2007 - Page 4

The Chad · July 26th, 2007, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

For a stock one? Or modified with all the shit they had?

Modified with the off-road shit, just not the extreme polar shit. My inner hilljack is curious.

BTW - Thanks for the links Viper images/smilies/smile.gif

Google FTW -- Sorta...
http://www.arctictrucks.com/?PageID=1046

JCE · July 26th, 2007, 04:45 AM

Brilliant episode. One of the best episodes of television ever from any time or genre. Cocking about filled with some serious moments and fantastically awsome scenery. Seeing that plane was a surprise--a pleasant one. This episode definately seemed more "real" than most of the last few years of TG. I have a real respect for these three now--that was no easy feat getting to the north pole.

Greylopht · July 26th, 2007, 04:54 AM

A few words on the episode. It was Brilliant. Granted it was a unfair race but it was exemplary in feeling. James and Jeremy did pull it off, and for once I like the way they pulled it off. The fear they faced, the things they went through. Granted they had a large support staff, but you could see the tiredness in there eyes and how they were affected. It was hard work for them. BUT.

I think the real winner was Richard Hammond. Granted he did not win the race, but after all he has been through. His crash and all. He is the winner. To come back after a violent accident like he had, to do something so epic. He worked hard, he learned new thing, and most of all he tried. Granted, who would not get bitchy in such a situation. I sure as hell would if I was in any of there shoes. (Granted I would not be a bloody clot like Jeremy and go power and speed is everything. And the resulting damage to the truck). Still Jeremy and James held it together well.

Richard held his tongue remarkably well. And he fought for it. I did not see support staff helping him, but I saw allot of him doing it for himself (and I damm well hope he was. Knowing him, he would rather do it himself than have someone help him)

I think that says something for the moral and resilience, as well as a big set of cohoes that the hamster has. I think he was the winner more so than James and Jeremy by far. That little man deserves a damm lot of respect.

But for me to say something like that. After being in so many dangerous jobs , and a head on that totaled a 130 MPH impact (and no I did not walk away, I spent many days in a ICU). I have worked prisons, and pulled cables down elevator shafts as well. And a many many other scary things in my life, that were both mentally and physically demanding.

I can say this. I still do it all my self. Granted I am sore all the time but given the chance to do what Richard did. Oh gods would i take it, and do it even if I lost. I would arrive there and smile. Because it is a goal I worked for and not something I relied on someone else to get me there. Granted I am sure Richard had plenty of help. The point is, he took probably the least help of all.

Pips to Richard Hammond.

My two cents worth. BBC if you want to quote me, let me drive a Lotus Exige S preferably with a plus one tire in the front. I only ask for a hour or so. Cheers.

~Grey

PFKL · July 26th, 2007, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

They went to the 1996 magnetic north pole, as per the Polar Challenge rules. images/smilies/wink.gif

Well Almost, They went here:
The finish line to the polar challenge is here: http://www.google.com/maps?q=78.784-103.5
Some 15-20 miles towards geographic NE. Maybe they ran out of gas. . . (or the huskies ran out of kibble?)

Onden · July 26th, 2007, 05:08 AM

Brilliant episode. I loved it.

Funny without being offensive. Intensly real, even if they did have support crews. A genuine sense of adventure and wonder. All in all, an amazing spot of television.

The only downside is, short of having a race on the moon, they're never going to top that!

The Chad · July 26th, 2007, 05:17 AM

This truly puts them one step above every other motoring journalist on the planet. Yes, the BBC has a huge budget, and the show is insanely popular, but three regular guys who like cars just got to go to the north pole. How friggen cool is that?!

They have to make a pretty decent wage, because this trip was neither easy nor safe, and I can only imagine each of them trying to explain this to their respective families.

in a way, I'm sad Jezza snubbed at the idea of an American Top Gear, but with the stunts they have been doing lately, I wouldn't imagine that they do spend a lot of time with their families, even if maybe it was a cop out answer. I'm jealous of what these three individuals get to do for the sake of entertainment, and genuinely respect their desire to really push what has been done.

And a race on the moon? It wouldn't be right if the first auto test on the moon was won by anyone other than Jeremy Clarkson.

Martin · July 26th, 2007, 05:31 AM

Just finished watching myself, and what a great episode. That Hilux is an incredible machine, especially after the modifications. The cinematography was also off the scale great. It makes me feel good about Series 10.

I love at the very end how they had to drive in a circle to find the exact spot for the pole.

LockOn · July 26th, 2007, 05:32 AM

im not sure if they did but did they mention who was on the sled with Hammond?

psych0samir · July 26th, 2007, 05:40 AM

Yes, it was one of the first things mentioned in the episode

Deeds · July 26th, 2007, 05:46 AM

Just finished watching it and I am amazed.

We often say : "Ya, I can do that no problem" or "How hard can it be?" Very hard. As the doctor with the deep voice said (same guy used when Hammond went to test that Citroen at MIRA (Motor Institute Research Agency??????)}, you have no idea what you are going up againts.
The foreskin footage was horrible.. I can't imagine... ouch!

As for the cinematographic of the episode, very well done. This episode gives you a small hint of what it really is do organize these races.

10/10 images/smilies/smile.gif

AdvanTech · July 26th, 2007, 06:28 AM

Am I the only one that didn't think it was that great? images/smilies/blush.gif

Viper007Bond · July 26th, 2007, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKL

Well Almost, They went here:
The finish line to the polar challenge is here: http://www.google.com/maps?q=78.784-103.5
Some 15-20 miles towards geographic NE. Maybe they ran out of gas. . . (or the huskies ran out of kibble?)

Is that that outpost with building and stuff? If so, they actually drove there after the end of the episode.

http://www.invinciblehilux.co.uk/

thedguy · July 26th, 2007, 06:33 AM

Something I find interesting... Clarkson goes on and on about how he loves British cars, and yet, when it comes to this... a Toyota. When it came to trying to destroy a vehicle... a Toyota.

epp_b · July 26th, 2007, 06:35 AM

EPIC!

I enjoyed it. I was jittering with excitement when I opened up VLC and I'm also glad that my hopes were not let down. A very entertaining and welcome lapse in Top Gear's hiatus.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiky

http://www.phyrefile.com/thumb/2007/07/25/Top.Gear.Polar.Special.2007.BBCHD.1080p.H.264.AC3.2.0.s2.png

Click for larger.

Hooray, my new desktop background!

Quote:

Up your environmentalists

Haha, I loved the bit at the end where he says "the inconvenient truth is that we've barely scratched the surface" and now he has proof and some serious ammunition to fight off the hippies that complain to Top Gear about environment this, environment that images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

The credits were also a great gag images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Quote:

Hi guys,
I haven't yet seen it as I was out when it aired. So I hope to grab it at a later date. I skipped to the end of this post (and read nothing!) to say I can't wait to see it as my mate rang me & said it was 'fxxxing awesome'.

For those that have seen it, you're lucky. For those that haven't can we have a minimal number of spoiler here...please...although I know this is a discussion thread on this episode & all....well at least until 24hrs have passed & the 'you know what' may become available...then we can ALL talk about it I guess

Is that fair to you guys?

Uh...no. If you don't want to see spoilers, then don't read this thread. It's that simple.

Quote:

Best bit had to be Clarkson's reaction to the wine!

Haha, that was great! images/smilies/lol.gif

Quote:

http://www.oldwings.nl/content/c47_yic/c47.htm

I just skimmed that and read the quotes by the pictures. There is no snow in summer way up there? Shows how much I know about my own country :'(

Quote:

Edit: now we can all get depressed when we realise there is 3 months to the start of the next TG series.

Three months??? images/smilies/sad.gif

I thought it was supposed to be back in September! (or maybe I read incorrectly)

Cobol74 · July 26th, 2007, 06:35 AM

The boys have the right stuff - for TV obviously. Great episode, hopefully an extended version for DVD will be forthcoming in time for Christmas - then I know what to ask the children for as a present.

I'd have liked to have seen Hammond get there too. I did the unforgivable and watched it on BBC 2 and forgot it was on HD! D'oh!

Prost264 · July 26th, 2007, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdvanTech

Am I the only one that didn't think it was that great? images/smilies/blush.gif

Well, I didn't think it was "great," but good. I'm glad this was just a special and not part of a season.

They did a good job with this, it was a good special and hopefully a benchmark for the coming series.

JipJopJones · July 26th, 2007, 06:43 AM

That was a truly amazing episode.... I could watch it over and over!

PS. I WANT ONE OF THOSE ARCTIC TRUCKS!!!
They are badass!

martineb72 · July 26th, 2007, 06:46 AM

A quote about the crashed plane
"Ellef Ringnes Island is a very remote arctic island in the far northern regions of Canada. It's one of the Sverdrup Islands, which belong to the territory of Nunavut. This territory was part of the Northwest Territories until April 1, 1999, which is why all documents relating to the crash mention the Northwest Territories, and not Nunavut. The weather at this location is said to be the worst of Canada. This is illustrated by the fact that the crash exercise part of the Canadian sovereignty patrol, in which this C-47 wreck was to be used and which was supposed to be an arctic exercise, had to be cancelled due to very bad weather...

For the wreck-chasers who like a remote challenge: The old Isachsen airstrip is at coordinates 78°47' N and 103°22'W, about 2 km east of the Isachsen weather station, adjacent to the eastern shoreline of Station Bay (part of Deer Bay). Don't confuse this old airstrip with the new one that was built in 1954 at the opposite side of the weather station! The wreck itself is located about 1 km past the southeast end of the strip. Happy hunting!"

They were a few miles from a weather station and an airport at nearly the end of their voyage.

TomCat · July 26th, 2007, 06:47 AM

That was an epic episode of TopGear right there. I love this old style TG, where it doesn't feel scripted and contrived. It was just incredible.

Love the Toyota as well.

AdolfClarkson · July 26th, 2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomCat

That was an epic episode of TopGear right there. I love this old style TG, where it doesn't feel scripted and contrived. It was just incredible.

Love the Toyota as well.

QFT.

I want a Toyota images/smilies/sad.gif

.

July 26th, 2007, 04:45 AM	#62
JCE Previously Known As JCE3000GT Joined: Apr 12th, 2005 Last Online: October 5th, 2008 Location: Lewisville, TX Age: 29 Posts: 480 Car: 1990 Chevrolet Camaro RS V8 Rep Power: 19	Brilliant episode. One of the best episodes of television ever from any time or genre. Cocking about filled with some serious moments and fantastically awsome scenery. Seeing that plane was a surprise--a pleasant one. This episode definately seemed more "real" than most of the last few years of TG. I have a real respect for these three now--that was no easy feat getting to the north pole. __________________ Car Domain (Camaro) - Car Domain (Daytona)- Exhaust (Camaro)

July 26th, 2007, 04:54 AM	#63
Greylopht Joined: Jul 14th, 2007 Last Online: December 20th, 2008 Location: It is missery not missouri. Posts: 1 Car: 95 Neon ACR, 83 Subaru BRAT Turbo, 79 Volvo 242GT Rep Power: 0	Two quid worth. A few words on the episode. It was Brilliant. Granted it was a unfair race but it was exemplary in feeling. James and Jeremy did pull it off, and for once I like the way they pulled it off. The fear they faced, the things they went through. Granted they had a large support staff, but you could see the tiredness in there eyes and how they were affected. It was hard work for them. BUT. I think the real winner was Richard Hammond. Granted he did not win the race, but after all he has been through. His crash and all. He is the winner. To come back after a violent accident like he had, to do something so epic. He worked hard, he learned new thing, and most of all he tried. Granted, who would not get bitchy in such a situation. I sure as hell would if I was in any of there shoes. (Granted I would not be a bloody clot like Jeremy and go power and speed is everything. And the resulting damage to the truck). Still Jeremy and James held it together well. Richard held his tongue remarkably well. And he fought for it. I did not see support staff helping him, but I saw allot of him doing it for himself (and I damm well hope he was. Knowing him, he would rather do it himself than have someone help him) I think that says something for the moral and resilience, as well as a big set of cohoes that the hamster has. I think he was the winner more so than James and Jeremy by far. That little man deserves a damm lot of respect. But for me to say something like that. After being in so many dangerous jobs , and a head on that totaled a 130 MPH impact (and no I did not walk away, I spent many days in a ICU). I have worked prisons, and pulled cables down elevator shafts as well. And a many many other scary things in my life, that were both mentally and physically demanding. I can say this. I still do it all my self. Granted I am sore all the time but given the chance to do what Richard did. Oh gods would i take it, and do it even if I lost. I would arrive there and smile. Because it is a goal I worked for and not something I relied on someone else to get me there. Granted I am sure Richard had plenty of help. The point is, he took probably the least help of all. Pips to Richard Hammond. My two cents worth. BBC if you want to quote me, let me drive a Lotus Exige S preferably with a plus one tire in the front. I only ask for a hour or so. Cheers. ~Grey

July 26th, 2007, 05:17 AM	#66
The Chad Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Northwest Ohio Age: 25 Posts: 505 Rep Power: 21	This truly puts them one step above every other motoring journalist on the planet. Yes, the BBC has a huge budget, and the show is insanely popular, but three regular guys who like cars just got to go to the north pole. How friggen cool is that?! They have to make a pretty decent wage, because this trip was neither easy nor safe, and I can only imagine each of them trying to explain this to their respective families. in a way, I'm sad Jezza snubbed at the idea of an American Top Gear, but with the stunts they have been doing lately, I wouldn't imagine that they do spend a lot of time with their families, even if maybe it was a cop out answer. I'm jealous of what these three individuals get to do for the sake of entertainment, and genuinely respect their desire to really push what has been done. And a race on the moon? It wouldn't be right if the first auto test on the moon was won by anyone other than Jeremy Clarkson. __________________ Computer: 2.4GHz MacBook Pro, 4GB RAM Drobo: 1.7TB Usable iPod: 32GB iPod touch, 2nd Generation "- ... But don't dawdle. Get the car into top gear as quickly as is reasonable. Fifth gear, remember, is no good at all." -- Jeremy Clarkson

July 26th, 2007, 05:31 AM	#67
Martin Joined: Jul 5th, 2005 Last Online: January 1st, 2009 Location: South Carolina, USA Age: 30 Posts: 126 Car: 2007 VW Golf Rep Power: 15	Just finished watching myself, and what a great episode. That Hilux is an incredible machine, especially after the modifications. The cinematography was also off the scale great. It makes me feel good about Series 10. I love at the very end how they had to drive in a circle to find the exact spot for the pole. __________________ "A 1992 Dateline expose revealed that GMC trucks were dangerous when explosives were strapped to the gas tank and then detonated." See story.

July 26th, 2007, 05:32 AM	#68
LockOn Joined: Mar 21st, 2007 Last Online: 02:27 AM Location: Hong Kong Posts: 35 Car: None LFS Status: Rep Power: 0	im not sure if they did but did they mention who was on the sled with Hammond? __________________ Adrian

July 26th, 2007, 05:08 AM	#65
Onden Joined: Feb 12th, 2007 Last Online: December 10th, 2008 Location: US Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Brilliant episode. I loved it. Funny without being offensive. Intensly real, even if they did have support crews. A genuine sense of adventure and wonder. All in all, an amazing spot of television. The only downside is, short of having a race on the moon, they're never going to top that!

July 26th, 2007, 05:40 AM	#69
psych0samir Joined: Feb 15th, 2007 Last Online: December 29th, 2008 Posts: 50 Car: Honda Prelude Rep Power: 0	Yes, it was one of the first things mentioned in the episode

July 26th, 2007, 05:46 AM	#70
Deeds Joined: Feb 18th, 2007 Last Online: December 29th, 2008 Location: Montreal,Canada Posts: 18 Car: Volvo Rep Power: 0	Just finished watching it and I am amazed. We often say : "Ya, I can do that no problem" or "How hard can it be?" Very hard. As the doctor with the deep voice said (same guy used when Hammond went to test that Citroen at MIRA (Motor Institute Research Agency??????)}, you have no idea what you are going up againts. The foreskin footage was horrible.. I can't imagine... ouch! As for the cinematographic of the episode, very well done. This episode gives you a small hint of what it really is do organize these races. 10/10

July 26th, 2007, 06:28 AM	#71
AdvanTech Joined: Feb 6th, 2006 Last Online: January 6th, 2009 Posts: 49 Rep Power: 15	Am I the only one that didn't think it was that great?

July 26th, 2007, 06:33 AM	#73
thedguy ^ will bore you to death Joined: Jun 18th, 2004 Last Online: 03:21 AM Location: Under the Counter at McD's Posts: 5,906 Car: 1990 Mazda MX-5 Rep Power: 75	Something I find interesting... Clarkson goes on and on about how he loves British cars, and yet, when it comes to this... a Toyota. When it came to trying to destroy a vehicle... a Toyota. __________________

July 26th, 2007, 06:35 AM	#75
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 02:32 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 6,226 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 58	The boys have the right stuff - for TV obviously. Great episode, hopefully an extended version for DVD will be forthcoming in time for Christmas - then I know what to ask the children for as a present. I'd have liked to have seen Hammond get there too. I did the unforgivable and watched it on BBC 2 and forgot it was on HD! D'oh! __________________

July 26th, 2007, 06:43 AM	#77
JipJopJones Joined: Aug 17th, 2006 Last Online: 03:36 AM Location: North Vancouver, BC, Canada Age: 18 Posts: 1,030 Car: Civic Si, Lada Niva Rep Power: 17	That was a truly amazing episode.... I could watch it over and over! PS. I WANT ONE OF THOSE ARCTIC TRUCKS!!! They are badass! __________________ XBL Gamer Tag: JipJopJones Eh? Car History: 1977 Lincoln Continental (sold) 1980 El Camino (sold, but missed ) 1998 Civic Si 1997 Lada Niva... project in the works

July 26th, 2007, 06:46 AM	#78
martineb72 Joined: Jul 20th, 2006 Last Online: January 26th, 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 75 Car: Mazda Miata Rep Power: 0	A quote about the crashed plane "Ellef Ringnes Island is a very remote arctic island in the far northern regions of Canada. It's one of the Sverdrup Islands, which belong to the territory of Nunavut. This territory was part of the Northwest Territories until April 1, 1999, which is why all documents relating to the crash mention the Northwest Territories, and not Nunavut. The weather at this location is said to be the worst of Canada. This is illustrated by the fact that the crash exercise part of the Canadian sovereignty patrol, in which this C-47 wreck was to be used and which was supposed to be an arctic exercise, had to be cancelled due to very bad weather... For the wreck-chasers who like a remote challenge: The old Isachsen airstrip is at coordinates 78°47' N and 103°22'W, about 2 km east of the Isachsen weather station, adjacent to the eastern shoreline of Station Bay (part of Deer Bay). Don't confuse this old airstrip with the new one that was built in 1954 at the opposite side of the weather station! The wreck itself is located about 1 km past the southeast end of the strip. Happy hunting!" They were a few miles from a weather station and an airport at nearly the end of their voyage.

July 26th, 2007, 06:47 AM	#79
TomCat Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 12:38 AM Location: Chandler, Arizona Age: 24 Posts: 3,429 Car: 2004 Chrysler PT Turbo; 1985 Toyota 4Runner Rep Power: 42	That was an epic episode of TopGear right there. I love this old style TG, where it doesn't feel scripted and contrived. It was just incredible. Love the Toyota as well. __________________ When in doubt, throttle out.

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