Top Gear Show/Site Suggestions

[Mr. Nice]

Put James on a Triumph of some sort, perhaps his own speed triple, or a Rocket III, or the Bonneville in my display image. Richard could ride a Suzuki Hayabusa, as the bike has a lot of allure, and, as I have ridden the previous version of the Hayabusa, it's legitimately, neck breakingly fast.

older 'busa clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e20G96Bmfd0

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James and Richard could then go up against Jeremy in some sort of supercar, the new Mercedes SL65 Black, or perhaps something a bit more insane that I'm not thinking of at the moment, along the lines of Koenigsegg or Pagani.

The argument which James and Richard could unsuccessfully try to pose to Jeremy, is that bikes are better/more fun/more practical than cars. Maybe this could also give an excuse for stig to lap the track on the Hayabusa, something many would want to see, and something Jeremy would never allow on the leader board . It would be interesting if this were depicted to be something that James and Richard were doing behind Jeremy's back.

In case there is a worry about filming someone in a full face helmet, I think the ride and stop format seems to work well. Jay Leno does this in the tail end of this video http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=257627 I'm sure some voice overlays would also be in order.

It would be funny if the office gave Richard and Jeremy the vehicles that they were to use, but left James to his own devices on what he could come up with.

This is a video of a 2008 'busa. I believe the one I rode was a 2000 back in 2001, and that one was slower than this new one.

Edit:

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Further edit: The SL65 Black drag racing the Hayabusa would also be something to behold

Even further edit: Having the Stig get a lap time with the ZR1 around the TG test track would be good, as it would be nice to be able to compare the SL 65 Black against the big Vette. Sort of a battle of the 600+ horsepower cars, since almost all of the cars at the top of the board are 600+ hp.

Even further, further edit: Putting the SL 65 Black up against the Stirling Moss SLR http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/m...slr-2008-12-19 would be pretty neat. It would also show that the British, McLaren influenced car is better and faster than the one that is purely German. I think it would be great if a video was made to look as though Jeremy lined up the Black, the Moss, the stig lap of the ZR1, and then the bike showed up, outraging Jeremy.

Beyond the Furthest Edit: Perhaps things could start out with James and Richard reviewing motorcycles, Richard then becoming bored with James, and using the power of the Hayabusa to beat him to the test track where Jeremy is filming. James could show up later and call them "utter pillocks", as he watches Richard on the 'busa, and The Stig and Jeremy in the Mercedes'. Then, maybe, James could pilot the ZR1 for a short time around the track. If all 4 could line up for the quarter mile, that would be great. The 'busa would win, but it would also be fun to see the Merc's compete against the ZR1.


Bob Lutz on SIARPC!!!

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Even further edit: This would really be the perfect chance for Richard to stick it to Jeremy, as the Hayabusa will out accelerate all of the cars. It would also be a good chance for James to go from being Captain Slow, to becoming Captain Fast again. As I said before, Jeremy could be outraged over the two of them showing up at the track with bikes. I think if James were to suddenly come out with the ZR1, Jeremy could use that as somewhat of a triumph over Richard. I think if this were to simply start out with Richard and James sort of secretly meeting somewhere on the two bikes (unbeknownst to Jeremy), doing short reviews of them, going to the test track to ride them around, and then running into Jeremy there, that would be best. Maybe James could end up in the ZR1, out of being frustrated with Richard, for leaving him behind on the way to the track, and for taking away from the review of the British bike that James would be riding.

If this idea gets used: http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear...26/#post843982 It would leave a good segway, if even in separate episodes, to bring in the Hayabusa. Perhaps the old Westfield XTR clip could be glossed over Westfield

The Top Gear, YouTube page, reminded me yesterday of the Radical SR3, yet another Hayabusa powered vehicle.
Radical


Edit: If a Moss isn't available, an SLR 722, or even a normal (less powerful) SLR McLaren could be used, as they are all similar enough.

[Root Moose]

1.) SIARPC: "Hard Core Edition".

Take the top five (ten?) on the leaderboard and put them into higher performance cars. Make it a whole show that shows how they progress (Not certain if this makes for mainstream TV). Or, since it is not really dependent on the the normal presenters, make it a special between series. Make it an annual thing, top two (one?) defend against subsequent year's top five drivers.

For car selection, make it something that normal enthusiasts can attain and relate to: new or used S2000, Z4, Cayman, whatever. Set a budget price of what, £25k-£30k. That would be a guess on my part since I don't know the UK market and think in Canadian dollars. Just to be clear: all drivers drive the same car.

Almost smells like a reality TV show. Simon and Jay would be able to make it entertaining enough for a non-enthusiast I'd guess.

2.) Defender vs FJC vs Wrangler (JK). Possibly throw in a Russian UAZ as well to show how the Stig can still beat the crap out the lads driving a total POS. Maybe contrast against an early LR Series II, Willys pattern CJ5, Toyota FJ40 in a different segment or show.

3.) Bring back the Veyron with the all the computer aids turned off (talk to Tiff Needell) and see what it does on the TG track.

[Mr Mojo Risin]

re. idea #2) Defender etc.

I'd like to see the Brabus Unimog do a powerlap.

Here's an other idea that might work.

How about a segment to celebrate the Bond cars? I especially want to see the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from The Living Daylights. It would look nice if it was setup like the sl 300 50 year anniversary segment.

[Root Moose]

Originally Posted by Mr Mojo Risin

How about a segment to celebrate the Bond cars? I especially want to see the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from The Living Daylights. It would look nice if it was setup like the sl 300 50 year anniversary segment.

Yes, like this idea muchly!

[Mr. Nice]

I never gave the modern Allard's much credit, however, as it turns out they are actually pretty neat. I'm sure that a lot of car guys passed them off, as I did, as poseurs usurping the Allard name. I was surprised with what I saw today on Jay Leno's Garage, http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=854749 as the car featured looks impressive. A Top Gear review of this would be nice

link to the company: http://www.allardj2x.com/

[Mr. Nice]

Top Gear testing the old US Deuce and a half. It's the ultimate soft-roader Okay, so maybe not. But you can pick one up for dirt cheap, and they've got 6 wheel drive! This vehicle has long been a favorite of mine, and something I used to entertain the notion of buying once in awhile. You need a class B license here (USA) to drive one of these. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/M35A2...1%7C240%3A1318

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuce_and_a_half

Maybe the International MXT and Unimog could be pitted against this in an all off-road journey, fording rivers and streams, climbing mountains, and generally struggling with extremely rugged terrain..... Modern military equipment that is available to civilians, vs. a vintage piece of military equipment that is also available to civilians... I believe the Deuce and a half runs on waste fuel, so that it would be exempt from the congestion charge.

Edit: Maybe instead of an MXT something like an old Land Rover 110, or a Russian Gaz or Kraz could be used, as they are sure to be less valuable than a new MXT would be. An old Unimog instead of a new one may not be that bad of an idea either.


M35 Video

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Land Rover

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Unimog

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MXT

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[randyoni]

I would like to see the guys do a piece comparing a classic car, a replica, and a kit model of the same vehicle.

Something like an original Shelby AC Cobra, a professionally manufactured replica of one, and a home-built kit version.

It would be interesting to see if the replicas or kits can match up or even perform better than the originals. And it would give all three guys a vehicle to champion.

[JLM]

*In fear of being shot down in flames*However,

Why not have a Fan in the reasonably priced car - once a season run a competition for 5 Pound/dollars, depending or your country, for the chance to win the day with the Stig learning the track, do the lap, the interview, the whole works, spend the day on the set. Then present the earnings from the competition to a charity/worthy cause of choice (BBC endorsed of course). This would not damage the viewer numbers as I'm sure others would watch the winner living their dream, it wouldn't cost the BBC any more then they are currently paying out to do the segment, their would still have to be confidentiality clauses of course as I guess there is for the Star.
The final decision on the winner would have to be based on their worthiness as we wouldn't want to see someone with no interest in cars win, and we wouldn't want to see a silly fan girl/boy win whom is only interested in meeting their presenter of choice. But I think this could work. What do others think?
Cheers
JLM

[Root Moose]

Originally Posted by JLM

*In fear of being shot down in flames*However,

Why not have a Fan in the reasonably priced car - once a season run a competition for 5 Pound/dollars, depending or your country, for the chance to win the day with the Stig learning the track, do the lap, the interview, the whole works, spend the day on the set. Then present the earnings from the competition to a charity/worthy cause of choice (BBC endorsed of course). This would not damage the viewer numbers as I'm sure others would watch the winner living their dream, it wouldn't cost the BBC any more then they are currently paying out to do the segment, their would still have to be confidentiality clauses of course as I guess there is for the Star.
The final decision on the winner would have to be based on their worthiness as we wouldn't want to see someone with no interest in cars win, and we wouldn't want to see a silly fan girl/boy win whom is only interested in meeting their presenter of choice. But I think this could work. What do others think?
Cheers
JLM

Hell, I'd fly myself across and pay money to do that!

[Mr. Nice]

A vintage W.O. Bentley vs. a vintage Bugatti. The time when the companies were actually rivals of each other was much more interesting than the now, since they are both owned by the same people. Putting a Continental up against a Veyron wouldn't be as exciting as seeing the differences between the two cars at a time when they were seriously competing. It could also be used as an example to show how far automotive technology has and hasn't progressed.

Edit: Perhaps Alain De Cadenet could be involved in this video

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Edit: This idea seems to go well with this one: http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear...25/#post806508

Mineworksfine mentioned how the Morgan Aeromax would fit in well with the Art Deco cars, and I have to agree with him. It would be kind of neat to see the Aeromax parked up next to a Deusenberg SJ Speedster, a Cord 810 or 812, and an Auburn Boattail Speedster. If a Bugatti Type 57, and a Bentley (ashamedly, I must admit that I have a general lack of knowledge on Bentley) could be in there as well, that would be something spectacular.

[otter]

Alright, I've tried searching here, and came up with no results, so I figured this thread would be a good place to ask - Does anyone know if Top Gear plans to bring the Corvette ZR-1 to their base to give it a proper review and test track run?

[Mr. Nice]

After reading Jeremy's article in The Sunday Times today, I thought it would be hilarious if he showed up for work with a cigarette in his mouth, and a six-pack in his hand. He would then go on to test a car that violates all noise ordinances, gets single digit gas-mileage, and puts out more CO2 than a soda-pop factory. Roaring by, swearing at nuns and children walking down the sidewalk, running over grannies on the crosswalks, he could chain smoke and chug beers, disposing of the butts and bottles by throwing them out of the window. After slamming into a tree nursery, he would get out of the car, whilst chugging a bottle of hard liquor and smashing it, and then, using the broken bottle and a machine gun, he would murder an eco-mentalist. After all of this, for a climactic and tumultuous end, he could club a baby seal to death with a cricket bat, whilst singing "Rule Britannia!".

**Please Note: This post was only created for comedic amusement. No Nuns, children, grannies, eco-mentalists, or baby seals were harmed in the typing of this post.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle5336247.ece

[Mr. Nice]

My last post here was just a joke, so here is one that isn't.

A classic VW Dune buggy up against a more modern Sand-rail vs either a Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender in the Desert. Could be done sort of like the rage buggy/quad bikes clip

Edit: Perhaps also, the VW Dune Buggy could go up against both the Wrangler and the Defender, or a V8 Sandrail against those two, minus the VW Dune Buggy.

Further Edit: Maybe an old Corvair/VW Dune Buggy would work as well. Also, perhaps just a beach or sandy area would work as well.

I've edited this (and many other posts) to death: The V-6 Wrangler would probably be the best choice to put up against a sandrail and a dune buggy. It would make for some good action, with some good airborne shots.

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Perhaps Costa Rica, or Morocco, would be a good place for this. I guess Jeremy also did something like this in Saudi Arabia once with a Jeep.

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Even Further Edit: Got to thinking about this today, and I think it would be great to do this on the Oregon dunes, inviting Viper007Bond, and putting him in as a cameo. Vipoleon DynaBond?

[Mr. Nice]

Have the three presenters at the Nurburgring, driving a 911 Turbo, a Nissan GTR, and a Dodge Viper ACR around the track in a somewhat competitive manner. After this, have the Stig go on to post lap times in the three cars (around the Nurburgring). Alternatively, the 911 could be replaced with a Veyron, since they both have similar unofficial lap times.

Edit: Maybe instead of 'The Stig', they could have Sabine Schmitz, or 'The German Stig' set the lap times.

Further Edit: I'm thinking that a GT2, or any of the faster Porsches would be good to put up against the GTR. If the GTR V-Spec is available for this, that might be preferable to the regular model, though I'm certain that anyone who follows this stuff would be interested in seeing an independent test of the 911 Turbo against the regular GTR. The Viper ACR is a nice benchmark, and though Mr. Ford correctly described it as a specialized car, it is readily available to the general public (granted you have $104,020).

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As this video shows, the ACR is not without its troubles. Many reviewers have made note of the ACR not being capable of getting over 175mph due to the added downforce. The regular Viper supposedly has a top speed of 202mph.

Edit: After thinking about this, if it would be possible to have the normal Viper at the Nurburgring to set a lap time, and the ACR at the TG Test Track to set a lap time, that might be a bit cooler to watch. The ACR's time at the Nurburgring, as far as I know, is undisputed, so not only would it be interesting to see how fast the Stig could lap the Nurburgring in a normal SRT-10 Viper, but also to see how fast the ACR could run around TG test track.

[Chairman Kaga]

I'm sure this has come up, but I would dearly love to see the guys, along with the Top Gear Technology Center crew, field a car in a LeMons race!
http://24hoursoflemons.com/

[JLM]

The last ep I saw (11.04 I think) JC commented "if only you could feel my heart rate" or something like that and it got me thinking...not always a good thing

what about a heart rate monitor on the boys, it would have been quiet amusing to see the spike in Hammonds heart rate when they put Oliver behind his lorry, and seeing Jeremy's heart rate when he does the reviews increasing as he gets excited over the car. They could even carry it over to the Stig as a joke, have him have a heart rate that is low and and gets lower if the car is boring and slightly higher if the car is exciting or even have a "normal" heart rate of flat line.

Anyways like I said me and thinking are not necessarily a good thing.
Cheers
JLM

[NooDle]

Originally Posted by Mr. Nice

Have the three presenters at the Nurburgring, driving a 911 Turbo, a Nissan GTR, and a Dodge Viper ACR around the track in a somewhat competitive manner. After this, have the Stig go on to post lap times in the three cars. Alternatively, the 911 could be replaced with a Veyron, since they both have similar unofficial lap times.

I find this to be quite amazing, that a 1000 hp, 400 kph car is as slow as a Porsche around the Ring. Must be all that weight

[Mr. Nice]

Originally Posted by NooDle

I find this to be quite amazing, that a 1000 hp, 400 kph car is as slow as a Porsche around the Ring. Must be all that weight

It's not really amazing, the Veyron was built primarily to do 400 kph. To do that, they couldn't really follow Colin Chapman's "simplify and add lightness" philosophy (not that they would at Bugatti anyways). The top speed of the Veyron, as a production car, is something to marvel at. The fact that it can go around turns as well is nothing short of amazing.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=122724

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIA...cord_time.html

[Mr. Nice]

Get a police officer, one from LA, or someplace where there are a lot of high speed chases, and bring him in for a challenge. Put Top Gear stunt man in a late 90's Jaguar XJR, get some streets closed in London, (or wherever it is decided to do this) and have the police officer chase TG stuntman to an ultimate location, like the Tower Bridge. His goal for the stunt should be to make it all the way to the Tower Bridge without being spun out or stopped by the police officer in any way. He should then proceed to jump the drawbridge while it is partially open, landing on the other side. I guess it would be cool if the cop wanted to follow him, but that wouldn't be necessary. I also think it would more interesting to watch if the officer was driving an American police car, like an old Chevy Caprice, a Ford Crown Victoria, or even the Dodge Chargers they use in some places now.... Something with rear-wheel drive and a V-8 engine. To make it more exciting, maybe one of the presenters could ride in the back of the Jag, while one rides in the police car.

Edit: I wanted to add that the police chase would need to be something that takes more than three or four minutes to complete. It really should be done properly, with some decent distance to be covered.

Further Edit: Maybe putting all 3 presenters in the police car, dressed in full riot gear, would be more amusing.

Even Further Edit: I think the police car should definitely be something that TG stuntman can escape from in the XJR. A rear wheel drive V8 police car would leave room for some power slides and burnouts, adding to the action and drama, but it may be more appropriate to use something that is part of the police force in the UK, like a WRX or an EVO.

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This video sucks, badly! But it does contain a drawbridge jump.

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Edit again: if this idea is done, there should be some disclaimer before and after the stunt, that Top Gear DOES NOT promote this sort of driving, and that it is only for entertainment purposes. I wouldn't want to feel like I was responsible for Jon Ross-ing you guys!

Further Edit: I think it would be possible to use a flat-bed truck to make a similar sort of scene.

[Mr. Nice]

The upcoming SSC Ultimate Aero road tested and then put up against a Veyron. Someone told me that Tom Cruise has a Veyron, maybe he'd let you guys borrow it!

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/s...oat-2008-12-17

This is the only video I could find, it sucks, sorry.

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Laguna Seca? Phoenix International Raceway? Buttonwiillow http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/ ? Las Vegas Motor Speedway http://www.lvms.com/track_info/ ? (Buttonwillow #26 really looks best, but that's not my call)

New SSC Ultimate Aero from the site... http://www.shelbysupercars.com/news-121008.php



With the Tom Cruise references in Series 12, it would be amusing to see him on the show at all, and even better to see him for a segment with this. Once again, I do see the slim possibilities of having someone like that on, but just the same... it's worth a shot.

Edit: If this is done at Buttonwillow, perhaps that would give one of the Top Gear crew a chance to drive some of Hunter Thomspon's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" route, from California to Las Vegas. Maybe it could even have a 1966 Chevelle SS "SharK". Perhaps one of the presenters could speak a word or two about the novel, and then go on to say something like "this is what Americans once called a fast car". Some Bob Dylan would really go well with this, for a number of reasons.

Maybe this idea could be combined with the one in this link somehow.http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear...21/#post637798

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/ecojet_shell.shtml