The world's most famous and controversial motoring journalist samples a V8 Supercar t

**Revolver** · 03-03-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedcafe

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson samples V8 Supercars
Thursday 3rd March, 2011
Author: SpeedCafe ©

Craig Lowndes with Jeremy Clarkson
The world’s most famous motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson has had his first taste of a V8 Supercar today at the Holden Driving Centre in Norwell, Queensland.
Clarkson, the host of the popular Top Gear program, drove Craig Lowndes’ TeamVodafone Commodore VE at the Gold Coast-based driver training centre.
Other Top Gear cast members James May and Shane Jacobson (Top Gear Australia) were also at the event, but were confined to passenger rides with Lowndes at the wheel.
Clarkson, May and Jacobsen were at the publicity event today to promote the Top Gear Live show – the Prototype Tour – at Brisbane Entertainment Centre tomorrow night.
Clarkson, who has said he enjoys watching Australia’s ‘Great Race’, became the first person other than Lowndes or endurance partner Mark Skaife to drive the #888 Commodore.
“It’s the most perfect car without getting too technical,” Clarkson said.
“It’s heaven to drive a car like that. I thought it was epic.
“That was only the third racing car I’ve driven in my life and it was a great way to warm-up for Top Gear Live.”
While Clarkson mastered braking and the V8 Supercar’s sequential gearbox, May and Jacobsen took to the track in their own Aussie dream cars – an HSV Maloo Ute for May and a V8 Super School car for Jacobsen before strapping in alongside Lowndes for their own V8 Supercar thrill ride.

Sorry don't have the URL.

GS608 · 03-03-2011, 07:30 PM

http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2011/03/...-v8-supercars/

some videos on there too

Ibrox90 · 03-03-2011, 07:45 PM

Id like to see Top gear do a ford, they've been looking at Holdens for years (top gear had a VT clubsport years ago)

I'd love to see his opinions on the GT's and definatly on the F6

vztrt · 03-03-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrox90

Id like to see Top gear do a ford, they've been looking at Holdens for years (top gear had a VT clubsport years ago)

I'd love to see his opinions on the GT's and definatly on the F6

Maybe if the Falcon is sold over there they might actually bother.

Windsor220 · 03-03-2011, 08:05 PM

Problem is their views on Ford are that its American. On one of the old Top Gear episodes they were discussing Aussies cars and May mentioned the XR8 then Clarkson shot him down saying that its American because its a Ford. So if they were to ever do an Aussie edition you can bet they wont show any Falcons.

SM1DY · 03-03-2011, 08:12 PM

It would be good if some of that footage actually made in onto Top Gear UK. To have them showcase Australia's premier Motorsport category would be a good plug.

Ibrox90 · 03-03-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SM1DY

It would be good if some of that footage actually made in onto Top Gear UK. To have them showcase Australia's premier Motorsport category would be a good plug.

It sounds heaps harsh but in the UK you dont really hear anything about australia and most people dont care.

On of the downsides of being a western civilisation in the FAR east

Dave_Obsession · 03-03-2011, 08:23 PM

Clarkson looked quite uncomfortable driving that...

SteveJH · 03-03-2011, 08:44 PM

"Whose idea was it to put the roll bar across the middle of the windscreen?"

Was that bar put there pre or post Lowndes taking a wheel to the windscreen?

GS608 · 03-03-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveJH

"Whose idea was it to put the roll bar across the middle of the windscreen?"

Was that bar put there pre or post Lowndes taking a wheel to the windscreen?

pre..thats the larry bar isn't it?

vztrt · 03-03-2011, 08:47 PM

Pre, Lowndes might not be here had it not been there.

big_landau · 03-03-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0

pre..thats the larry bar isn't it?

yes larry perkins was the original designer.

**Revolver** · 04-03-2011, 12:08 AM

Definitely pre.

Larrys bar saved Craig from the wheel that came from larrys car....

In fact in one of the post incident interviews, Perkins actually said "that's that illegal bar isn't it" - referring to one of the bodies that deemed it illegal in the 90's. & now it's a requirement to have it!

2011G6E · 04-03-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Maybe if the Falcon is sold over there they might actually bother.

Exactly.

They don't bother with V8 Supercars over there either for the simple reason that, unlike the Touring Car series with a dozen different makes of car, our racing groups refuse to admit that there are any other vehicles than something that looks like a V8 Commodore or Falcon...

BigBlue · 04-03-2011, 03:26 PM

Good grief...who actually cares what Clarkson's opinion is?

Peter.

**Peuty** · 04-03-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlue

Good grief...who actually cares what Clarkson's opinion is?

Peter.

Me.

In other news, the reason he drove a 888 Commodore is that they are a British racing outfit.

flappist · 04-03-2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlue

Good grief...who actually cares what Clarkson's opinion is?

Peter.

Several million people who watch top gear.......

aualright · 04-03-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlue

Good grief...who actually cares what Clarkson's opinion is?

Peter.

Thankyou BigBlue. I was beginning to think us Aussies needed the approval of our English masters before deciding on how good a car is - even if that English master has no idea about cars himself. After all, we all know that English cars are far superior than anything from the continent, right? Don't even mention crass American cars in their presence - it only offends.

Top W$%&kers!

Franco Cozzo · 04-03-2011, 04:11 PM

The reason why I like Clarkson is because he's cynical and sees the truth on a lot of things.

Jim Goose · 04-03-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlue

Good grief...who actually cares what Clarkson's opinion is?

Peter.

Quote:

Thankyou BigBlue. I was beginning to think us Aussies needed the approval of our English masters before deciding on how good a car is - even if that English master has no idea about cars himself. After all, we all know that English cars are far superior than anything from the continent, right? Don't even mention crass American cars in their presence - it only offends.

Top W$%&kers!

You guys realise that its supposed to tongue in cheek any comments that he makes...? Its called light hearted comedy...

aualright · 04-03-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

You guys realise that its supposed to tongue in cheek any comments that he makes...? Its called light hearted comedy...

Do you mean sarcasm? It's only funny when its funny. Otherwise it can be interpreted as pompous ***** masquerading as sarcasm.

Jim Goose · 04-03-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aualright

Do you mean sarcasm? It's only funny when its funny. Otherwise it can be interpreted as pompous ***** masquerading as sarcasm.

Millions of top gear fans would disagree with you there... strangely it is one of the (if not the) most popular shows on TV.
It is an act after all...

sudszy · 04-03-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

The reason why I like Clarkson is because he's cynical and sees the truth on a lot of things.

What the real Jeremy Clarkson thinks? dont know, but he's certainly got it worked out what the typical motoring enthusiast wants to hear when he speaks on his show or in public.

Brent · 04-03-2011, 05:09 PM

Funny how people interpret the same show differently. I've often seen Clarkson bag the local British car industry, lamenting the shoddy quality control and making fun of time when (in his words) the British car factories were full of dimwitted lazy communists on the production lines etc. Yes, he shows some national bias, but don't we as well?

Whether he's the world's best driver or not is a moot point. I'd kill 10 men to be able to drive a 10th of the world's best cars that he's driven. He hosts one of the most widely followed motoring/entertainment shows ever produced, and I'd hazard a guess many on this forum would give their left nut to have his job.

vztrt · 04-03-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Several million people who watch top gear.......

I'd love to be on here if Clarkson tested and bagged out the Falcon. Would be a very interesting thread.

nstg8a · 04-03-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

I'd love to be on here if Clarkson tested and bagged out the Falcon. Would be a very interesting thread.

lol, can almost imagine it...

Gobes32 · 04-03-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

I'd love to be on here if Clarkson tested and bagged out the Falcon. Would be a very interesting thread.

If he drove an F6 or Coyote GT, he wouldn't have to, would he? lol

vztrt · 04-03-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

If he drove an F6 or Coyote GT, he wouldn't have to, would he? lol

Even a few gripes about the car would have the masses out.

**Peuty** · 04-03-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aualright

Thankyou BigBlue. I was beginning to think us Aussies needed the approval of our English masters before deciding on how good a car is - even if that English master has no idea about cars himself. After all, we all know that English cars are far superior than anything from the continent, right? Don't even mention crass American cars in their presence - it only offends.

Top W$%&kers!

Hahaha

Better hurry, Crochet and Knitting Weekly is about to start!!!!!