Top Gear

Top Gear is a BBCtelevision program about cars presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. The Stig drives the cars which are discussed a ' Power Lap ' on the Top Gear test track. The program distinguishes itself from other car magazines by the humor of the presenters. The viewing threshold program is low thanks to the little use of terms, whereby the program compared to other car programs has high viewing figures. Top Gear is to see in Britain on BBC Two, in Netherlands, the program broadcast on Veronica. In Belgium is to see the program since 2008 on Canvas.

In 2005 Top Gear won an international Emmy Award in the Non-Scripted Entertainmentcategory. In september 2006 it became known that when presenter Hammond would not cure the car accident that he had that month during the recording, the program finally would be stopped. When it became apparent that Hammond well recovered, the recordings were resumed. On 28 January 2007 became the first episode of the season aired on the usual presenters, months later than originally planned.

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[hide] *1 History ==History[ Edit] == ===1977-2001[ Edit] === Top Gear started in 1977 on the British television. The program was originally presented by Noel Edmonds, among others, William Woollard, Peter Burgess and Chris Goffey. The program lasted a total of half an hour.
 * 1.1 1977-2001
 * 1.2 2002-present
 * 2 Production
 * 3 Nominations and prizes
 * 4 criticism and problems
 * 5 Parts
 * 5.1 Power Laps
 * 5.2 Star in a Reasonably Priced Car
 * 5.3 Races
 * 5.4 Challenges
 * 5.5 Specials
 * 6 Top Gear Awards
 * 7 Magazine
 * 8 Top Gear Live
 * 9 see also
 * 10 external links

Initially rated only new cars in Top Gear and attention to safety. In the 1990s the program was more humorous and controversial, partly due to the contribution in the program by Jeremy Clarkson. Top Gear was accused by critics of glorifying bad driving habits and the exaggerated slate of cars. So said Clarkson on the Vauxhall Vectra: "I know it is a replacement of the Cavalier. But I'm telling you, it is just a box on wheels ". These statements would have had an effect on the sales of the Vectra.Criticism on the Toyota Corolla had no effect on the sales figures.

After the departure of Clarkson at the program in 1999, the viewing figures declined in Great Britain from six million to under three million. The season of 2001 was therefore not broadcast by the BBC. Channel Five In 2002 bought the formula of Top Gear on. the BBC did not want the program on Channel Five would also Top Gear, after which Channel Five forced the program renamed to Fifth Gear. ===2002-present[ Edit] === In 2002 together with Andy Wilman Clarkson came up with a new formula for the program. There were two other presenters introduced, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe. Dawe was in the second season succeeded by James May. The new formula for the program held, among other things, that the program was extended to an hour.There was also a number of new sections added, namely ' Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car ' (a ' star in a reasonably priced car '), the ' Cool Wall ' (' cool Board '), ' Car News ' (' Auto News ') and ' Power Laps ' (' Fast rounds "). Thanks to the new structure of the program ran the number of viewers on to 350 million viewers worldwide. ==Production<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The program is recorded on the former military airfield Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. The studio is located in a hangar. For the eighth season of the program was the studio completely rebuilt. Dunsfold Park also has a test circuit (the Top Gear test track) for cars which one curve is developed by Lotus. This circuit is generally used for testing of supercars. Also the Power Laps that The Stig drove in these cars drive be on this track. ==Nominations and awards<span class="mw-editsection" len="336" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In november 2005 Top Gear won an international Emmy in the Non-Scripted Entertainmentcategory. In the episode where the presenters the price show to the public, said Clarkson joked that he "was unable to go to New York" because he too long was busy writing the script for that episode.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Top Gear is from 2004 to 2006 nominated for the British Academy Television Awards in the Best Featurecategory. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson was also nominated for theBest Entertainment Performance category in 2006. In 2006 and 2007 it won the National Television Award program.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In both 2009 and 2010 Top Gear got a medal at HuMo's Pop Poll Deluxe in the category best tv program internationally. The Stig came to pick up the medal both times and both times turned out to be a famous Fleming in the suit. That was in 2009 Herman, the neighbor out of flesh and blood and Helmut Lotti in 2010. ==Criticism and problems<span class="mw-editsection" len="335" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Top Gear got several times criticism of the press. one of the points was that the presenters would incitement to violation of traffic rules and speed limits.<sup class="noprint nopopups" len="308" style="line-height:1;"> [source? ] Another was that the program is not environmentally friendly, because it always turns to drive as hard as possible.<sup class="noprint nopopups" len="308" style="line-height:1;"> [source? ] In doing so, there would be hardly affordable cars appear in the program.<sup class="noprint nopopups" len="308" style="line-height:1;"> [source?]

==Parts<span class="mw-editsection" len="325" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == The Top Gear test track.===Power Laps<span class="mw-editsection" len="325" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">At the Power Lap rides the Stig with a car as fast as possible on the Top Gear test track to test the performance of different cars. To get on the Power board to come need a car suitable for the open road, so he must also be able to get over a speed threshold. However, these rules are not always applied consistently.
 * In 2004 rammed Clarkson with a Toyota Hilux a thirty year old tree. The owner of the tree thought that was wrecked by vandals, until an acquaintance saw the vandalised tree on British television. The BBC paid damages of £ 250.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" len="160" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [1]
 * Clarkson was in the episode on november 13, 2005 accused of knowingly refer to the nazi's, which invaded Poland in World War II. He would also have problems with the BBC, that his program would take seriously.
 * In a special in Clarkson with a dead cow on the roof of his car hitting. That led to protests from animal rights organizations. The BBC stated that the cow died a natural death a few days before.
 * On 20 september 2006, presenter Richard Hammond Top Gear during the recordings of several times over the head on a test track in York. He wanted to break speed record for cars with a Jet engine. Hammond had to three months recovering from injuries to his head. At the end of October were resumed and the images for Top Gear on 28 January 2007 it returned program back on the BBC. The accident was shown during the first broadcast. During the recording of the following season wrote Hammond in Top Gear Magazine that he was "barely conscious" had been the inclusion of the season following his accident. He indicated that the pictures maybe too fast were followed on his misfortune.
 * In an episode in August 2011 Top Gear tested electric cars, including a Nissan Leaf. The presenters concluded that electric cars were not the future, because the battery too fast to get a hit intended destination empty. That turned out to be staged. The program had 40% advance to deflate the battery and thus acted in contravention of the editorial articles of Association of the commercial independent BBC.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" len="160" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [2]
 * In a broadcast in 2008 Clarkson in the Tesla Roadster and delivered a lot of criticism on the car. It was also suggested that the car without power was coming to stand by to show images of a Tesla Roadster which was down a hangar by a number of members of the crew. Tesla decided after two years, in 2011, a lawsuit because the load of the batteries of the car in question during the shooting has been not below 20% and the empty batteries so were a lie.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3" len="160" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [3]  however, Tesla caught bone. The main reason for Top Gear in the equivalent was the difference between the driving conditions on the circuit and the open road that according to court too great. According to the judge the viewer can realize that myself.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4" len="160" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [4]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Renault F1 2004 did it in 0.59, 0, but because it is not a regulatory car is, (the car may not have a speed bump) was not counted. The Ferrari FXX 1.10, 7 with which he drove during the first episode of season 13 on number one of the Power board was put. The next installment, he was picked up again by Jeremy Clarkson of the list because there would be driven on slicks . The same story with the Caparo T1 that put down a time of 1.10.6 (episode 5 of season 10) ===Star in a Reasonably Priced Car<span class="mw-editsection" len="346" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Almost every episode there is a known person comes by for an interview and a ride in a cheap car on the Top Gear track. Of the first to seventh season this was done in a Suzuki Liana. In series replaced by theChevrolet Lacetti, which served until the end of season 14. In the first episode of season 15 made Clarkson and Hammond announced the Lacetti was replaced by the Kia cee'd. From season twenty which in turn was replaced by the Vauxhall Astra (Opel Astra). Formula one drivers have their own Board and drive because of the small number that is still along been with the Liana. ===Races<span class="mw-editsection" len="321" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In Top Gear are often different races in which one of the presenters in a car against another means of transport. Often the race starts in Guildford. So far, the car won the most races. ===Challenges<span class="mw-editsection" len="327" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">A recurring item in Top Gear are challenges that the presenters have ended up with. These scenes are often preceded by one of the presenters with the sentence: "How hard can it be?" (How hard can it be?).

Clarksons "Toybota"*Amphibious vehicles: the presenters were ordered every man for himself build an amphibious vehicle. May built a Triumph Herald into a sailing boat, Hammond converted aVolkswagen camper to a narrowboat and Clarkson hung a 200hp strong outboard motor to a Toyota Hilux pickup. When she then had to travel about five miles across a Lake sank the Volkswagen after major leaks, sank the pickup after he almost was but eventually turned and pulled out by a bend too hard May be the finish despite a wet clutch. ===Specials<span class="mw-editsection" len="324" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">A special is a special episode that is entirely dedicated to a journey through foreign countries. In most cases, three presenters for a fixed budget buy a second hand car and with it a certain distance and on the road by the editors do certain tests. Among other things the following specials are aired: ==Top Gear Awards<span class="mw-editsection" len="331" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Each year is published by a Top Gear car of the year. In 2005 and 2007 there was an extensive award ceremony be held in the last episode of the relevant seasons, in other years it remained at the proclamation of the "car of the year". ==Magazine<span class="mw-editsection" len="324" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Top Gear Magazine is a magazine in the United Kingdom, but it is also issued in fifteen other countries including China, India, New Zealand, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Sweden and Belgium. ==Top Gear Live<span class="mw-editsection" len="329" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The presenters of the program from 2008 to present the event Top Gear Live. In these shows are among other many stunts performed and found twice in Netherlands place. The first time was from 21 to 24 January 2010 in the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre with Clarkson, Hammond and Beau van Erven Dorens. On 26 and 27 april 2013 liked the show place in the Ziggo Dome. This time it was the Top Gear trio. ==See also<span class="mw-editsection" len="323" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * Cabriolet MPV: the presenters have been tasked to build a minivan with an open roof. It succeeds them to the roof of a Renault Espace to pick up and replace it with a homemade canvas instance. The car was able to drive without its roof to lose 160 km/h and drove around in a safari park with no problems. A visit to the car wash, however, picked up less good, this caught fire.
 * Build a car: the presenters got on Knockhill racing circuit Racing Circuit the task to assemble a Caterham Seven . They had to try to do this faster than did about it that the Stig from the Caterham showroom inLondon to the presenters in Scotland to drive. The presenters won the challenge because the Stig on the side was put by the police because of speeding.
 * Autointerieurontwerp: Clarkson bought an old Mercedes-Benz S-class and designed his ideal decor, based on his own home. The car was renamed "Anne Hathaway's Cottage" and had a wood-burning stove, kitchen chairs, a stone floor (with a base of cement) and plastered doors. When May and Hammond tested the car, the lack of safety belts and los seated chairs ensured that they slid all over the place. Eventually they managed to a 0 – 100 km/h time to put down: 35.5 seconds.
 * Present a radio show: the trio presented a radio show on BBC Southern Counties Radio during the evening rush hour. They got a lot of complaints, mainly because of Clarksons new file-system where he is not told where the files were but who they had caused. He had before on the traffic cameras that can be found along the highways in the region.
 * Reliant Space Shuttle: Hammond and May went to work, with much help from the British Amateur Rocket Association, to design, build and launch a reusable rocket. The rocket had the Reliant Robin as a basis because that design already did think of the Space shuttle. The intention was to use the rocket again. The rocket would detach from the fuel tanks and then again terugzweven to Earth. The launch was initially successful, however a bolt which left made sure the rocket spectacular crashed.
 * Limousines: the presenters were sent out to a normal used car to buy and there a limousine out of it. After they underwent multiple tests on the Top Gear circuit had to each of the presenters get a celebrity in London and that drop off at the Brit Awards. Hammond drove Jamelia, Clarkson got Rick Moyles and Lemar in. Hammond came without too many problems at the destination, Clarkson arrived in half a car because the Panda in half was broken and May hit the get lost.
 * Road works: road works according to the presenters take far too long and therefore they decided today the begin repaving of the D5481 near Bidford accelerate. According to the municipality, work a week going to last but the Top Gear team managed to do everything within 24 hours. They did have more road workers than normally required and also had to work at night.
 * Grow your own petrol: the presenters decided to produce their own fuel by planting rapeseed in a field. For this challenge were looking for to each his own tractor to the rapeseed growing. Some commands were executed, including a drag race. Then they used tractors to plow and sow, which quite a few problems entailed. Use the biodiesel which was eventually obtained the gentlemen to drive their BMW during theBritcarrace in which they participated.
 * Amphibious vehicles part 2: for the second time trying to make the presenters to amphibious vehicles. They improved their old design and were ordered to cross the channel . May added a folding mast and a keel far, Clarkson took care of oil drums for stability and Hammond tried to get his camper now waterproof. Problems with the keel made sure that May never far has come. Hammonds camper did well, however the shortage of power and failure of the motor also made sure that his attempt was not successful, at the third attempt sank the van. The pick up of Clarkson then got on board and also Hammond and May enter the Channel about it. They targeted Calais but came off at Sangatte.
 * Top Gear Winter Olympics: during a special in the snow was tried to a Mini Cooper of the ski jump in Lillehammer jump. The car was equipped with missiles and there are special grooves made in the job. There become a snow wall built to prevent the car by would shoot. The car took out not the distance that was hoped but managed to bridge some tens of meters. The Stig on the same ski jump with a snowmobile and they were playing a game of car-ice hockey that there very rough to it went.
 * Faster than an Evo: the presenters get a Renault Avantime and the challenge is to make this as fast as a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for half the price. Because James May purchase very expensive brakes that don't even fit is no budget more for other improvements. Despite some improvisations (for example, in order to improve the aerodynamics ) fails the challenge miserably.
 * List of episodes of Top Gear