Clarkson on Hammond's 300mph crash...

[MinionZombie]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006440317,00.html

Just read this article by Jeremy Clarkson about the Richard Hammond crash this week (for those who don't watch the news, or to people not from Britain) he was doing over 300mph it now appears, in the car that set the British land speed record. It seems a tyre blew out, making the car swerve and deploy the parachute break therefore sending the car into a roll before digging into the ground.

It's quite heart-warming to see how much good will has come from the British public from this awful accident (fingers crossed there are no post-trauma complications, which can happen with brain injuries so I've learnt this week), fans of Top Gear have even raised (currently) around £130,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (who airlifted Hammond to Leeds General Hospital - specialists in neurological injury).

Obviously the new series of Top Gear is postponed for now, but guaranteed it'll be back.

It's a great article to read, so check it out and lets all wish the Hamster himself a speedy recovery without any unseen complications.

[Chakobsa]

Great article, thanks for the link.
Top gear is a great programme, that it appeals to someone like me who knows nothing about cars, and cares less, is testimony to the three guys that present it. You can't fake that kind of enthusiasm and the rapport between them is great.
It's a poor thing that that the usual bunch of whining ****s are trying to use this terrible accident as grist to their tedious mills. Sod 'em.

[Danny]

yeah its like the british equivalent of amircan chopper you dont know **** about the motors but somehow you can stop watching if you turn on when channel surfing, still not a good month for danger risking clebritys is it.

[capncnut]

Well, the man's up and walking now so it appears his recovery is going to be a speedy one. It's a bit of a bummer that the new series of Top Gear is postponed as many episodes must have been finished already. I'm hearing things about another record that Hamster wants to break but this will never happen given the seriousness of the accident. That worries me. He is irreplacable and if the BBC (or his family) wont let him go back to the passion he loves so much then what role will he play in Top Gear? I know it's too soon to speculate but these things have to be pondered. Get well soon, Hammy!

[MinionZombie]

Quite frankly, with the way the BBC operates (i.e. OBSESSED to the nth degree with health & safety), the accident couldn't have been avoided, nor forseen - if of course it was a burst tyre that caused the accident to happen. Because prior to it Hammond had done six runs building up the speed with each run.

So, like had been reported, they were swamped with H&S ... however, there was this rumour that people on the show (i.e. crew) were going to express concern over the way in which the show is filmed (e.g. excessive filming hours - but for such a show and with features like the races across Europe, they require such work) and that there have been "near misses". Now, I don't know what this rumour means, or if it's true, but could this mean a car spinning out into a cameraman nearly? It's been sort of near on the show itself (understeering car laps at the Hammer Head corner) ... but I don't know if that rumour is even true. I wouldn't be surprised if there were crew gripes or a few corners cut now and then - that's how shows like this are made, sometimes you do end up saying "f*ck it" and just grabbing something in a way, that when viewed afterwards - and in light of Hammond's crash - seem worse than they appeared at the time...

As for the show, guaranteed it'll continue. It's one of BBC2's highest rated shows, it's sold to 80 countries around the world, has a slew of spin-off DVDs on sale and there is clearly an unsated market out there for it. The show's been so successful even, that bloody Channel 5 and their sh*t knock-off "Fifth Gear" has completely copied Top Gear, the depth of copying is insane! :eek: But on Top Gear is the daddy.

I'm not at all surprised the show is on hold for now, the films would most likely be around 60% finished by now I'd imagine - or the filming of them at least, what percentage of Hammond's contribution is done I'm not sure - but perhaps we'll see more pre-filmed features by Clarkson and May in the new series with Hammond picking up more studio-bound duties in the presenting.

But indeed, like the producer Andy Wilman says, Top Gear would never work without those 3 blokes. Top Gear is as much about those three as it is about the cars.

Also, about the "dare devil" antics, Hammond's crash was the first serious incident in Top Gear's 28 year history. Most of the crazy sh*t they do, the presenters aren't "within" the event - e.g. Caravan Conkers or Car Darts, or it's a funny feature, but not at all dare devil - e.g. Top Gear goes Caravanning ... okay, when they blew up the caravan with a chip pan fire, that was a bit daredevil, but not that bad.

Likewise with Hammond's piece of how to escape a car when you've gone into a lake (or similar), "dare devil" maybe ... but actually quite safe. It's in a controlled environment (indoor pool), there's a diver in the backseat with an aqua lung ready and blowing for Hammond in case he needs it. There's divers on the outside and a crane holding the car. So, "dangerous", but controlled.

The problem with the jet car was that it's just Hammond alone "in the event", and if it was indeed a tyre blowout that caused the accident, it was completely unpreventable.

Basically, the only thing that needs to be considered is "what is the worst possible outcome in the event of an accident" when thinking of a stunt. Also - making sure the presenter has the appropriate training - I think Hammond should have had more - but he was clearly doing alright as he was until the apparent blow out.

So really, with this jet car it should have been a case of "if this car crashes, it's a 300mph crash - now, how might the car crash and what would this mean" - these questions need to be considered more I think.

In summary - bring back Top Gear when appropriate and when Hammond's fighting fit - also, most importantly, get well soon, Hamster!