FORD GT on TOP GEAR

DC · 07-15-04, 02:14 PM

Thanks to Chris Edwards for the opportunity to visit the Top Gear show recording last night - hugely enjoyable.

Be sure to watch the Top Gear show this Sunday. The new Ford GT is taken for a lap of the test track by young Stig. Here is a peek under the duvet of the result - no I am not telling you the lap time - you'll have to watch the show. Does it beat the Ferrari 360??

I'll put up some more shots of the show on the GT40 Enthusiasts Club web site before Sunday.

The GT40s of Perrys, Roy Snook and Brian Magee graced the proceedings, but I have to admit the new Ford GT is stunning.

DC · 07-15-04, 02:20 PM

Photography was not easy between takes, but not overtly discouraged either!

Foreground Brian Magee, Centre Ian O'Reilly and behind the striding Clarkson (pink shirt for those who would not recognise him!), Roy Snooks Essex Wire livery GT40.

Unfortunate that Jeremy generalised our replicas as plastic kit cars with Rover V8 engines!

Tony Hunt · 07-15-04, 02:31 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunate that Jeremy generalised our replicas as plastic kit cars with Rover V8 engines!

[/ QUOTE ]
I hope the collective sharp intake of breath from the assembled GT40 owners is audible on the tape!
Plastic kit cars indeed! Hand-built, customised replicas, more like.
As I said before, the man's a prat. Even if he is spouting what some hormonal little researcher has scribbled, a man with more balls would have refused to say it.

RobBeddington · 07-15-04, 04:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunate that Jeremy generalised our replicas as plastic kit cars with Rover V8 engines!

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope he balanced this comment somehow.

If not, although it's probably best to wait and see if Clarkson's comments are edited out of the final show, if you want to have your say, click on the following:

Give Clarkson the sh*t he probably deserves

Cheers

Rob
PS Top Gear drove one my cars and interviewed me for a show back in the late 1990s - the piece was never shown, there was no thanks for driving the car over 200 miles to the shoot in some crap weather and no explanation as to why it was not shown. So I guess I'm biased ...

Paul Thompson 'Hooligan' · 07-15-04, 05:54 PM

Hmmmm - Jeremy being - well Jeremy as usual.

I remember Roy Smart being somewhat incensed by a remark he made writing for the Sun some time back along the lines of 'old farts who cannot drive over 30mph' - Roy then chose to challenge Jeremy to a few laps of Goodwood Motor Circuit.... he got a response! but needless to say, Jeremy declined the offer.

Still - after Saturday I might have some video footage that might persuade him to eat his words....

Chris E · 07-15-04, 08:29 PM

Ok,It's a shame that we didn't get the recognition or showcase that the cars deserve, particularly as Brian Roy and Ian ( and me!) spent all day hanging around at the studio only to see the bit featuring thier cars over in about 10 seconds! To be fair though, the cars were only used as a link to the item on the new GT which was the main feature of the show.
It was priviledge to spend the morning watching the new GT being driven in anger around the track - what sight - and the noise was incredible!And we got to sit in it too.
Tony - don't blame the researchers! They were genuinely interested in the cars and looked after us very well. The lunch was nice too! . It was Clarkson who wrote the bit about Rover engines, and it was a cheap link to another major item on the show about the demise of the Rover engine. If you all watch the show on Sunday you will see the conection. I don't think it was meant in a negative way against our cars. At least least he didn't mention Chevy engines!

Tony Hunt · 07-16-04, 06:33 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Tony - don't blame the researchers!

[/ QUOTE ]
Surely that makes Clarkson even more of a prat! I wouldn't have credited someone genuinely interested in our cars being so crass.
I also wish I had had the presence of mind either to inteject 'on air' and create a bit of interest, or even put him right between takes to see if we could have generated some pressure to change the script.

JP · 07-16-04, 07:02 AM

Everyone knows hes' a f*****g tool! You have remember he is paid to serve our needs, he's a mere peasant with an ugly mut.

And as for the new GT...

Well, come on..

Its dog shit...

... especially compared to the performance from a well sorted replica.

I said my piece!

IAN UK · 07-16-04, 08:20 AM

Hey steady on chaps, although I am not a great admirer of Mr Clarkson myself, I think the information that Roy gave him when they were chatting did not fit in with his script.
Hence the Rover quip, the reference to Kit cars was unfortunate though, I think the best put down of the day was when Brian when asked by Mr Clarkson on what he thought of previous shows,Brian replied "I NEVER WATCH THEM" Jeremy's face was a picture.
I disagree with JP's views, having been priviledge to be there in the morning watching the new GT lap in the wet and then later in the dry with Stig at the wheel, I was overwhelmed by the sheer speed and sound of the car.
I look forward to seeing and hearing JP's car at the GTD track day at Goodwood, Perhaps we could ask Ford to go head to head with JP [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Just my two penny worth. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

JP · 07-16-04, 08:34 AM

If the new GT was that noisy then it won't stand a chance! It won't even be allowed on the track, too noisy!

However, I would like to see how it compares to Roy's GTD with straight through pipes!

P.S

ALL GT40S LOOK AMAZING WHEN DRIVEN HARD.

JP · 07-16-04, 08:40 AM

[ QUOTE ]
having been priviledge to be there in the morning watching the new GT lap in the wet and then later in the dry with Stig at the wheel

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't call having the piss taken out our replicas being priviledged. I'd have torn Clarkson's limbs off!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

You can bet good money that they'll edit the show to make replicas look like a cheap copies.

IAN UK · 07-16-04, 08:41 AM

That's just it JP it wasn't that noisy, it just sounded like a Jet engine on steriods.
It would have no problem with Goodwoods 105db

JP · 07-16-04, 09:03 AM

Superchargers!!

I have heard it. And it does indeed sound like a loud AMG 55.

Jerry · 07-16-04, 09:16 AM

i wouldnt worry about clarksons comments to much, the guys a prat who's full of himself. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

josvdp · 07-16-04, 09:28 AM

Which presumably is why they are giving him one of the 28 !

DC · 07-16-04, 03:59 PM

I didn't realise my (truthful) report would create such strong feeling!!

Rather akin to a real pratt (namely Noel Edmunds) Clarkson is ignorant or merely concerned with the effect of the program and not the reality. [Edmunds allegedly called all replica owners SAD, but these two live in world where money is unimportant. What was really sad was Edmunds bastardising a nice 40 with a lime green leather interior!!! You can have money a still no taste]

Personally I enjoy Clarksons style and he obviously genuinely likes the 40 concept. He did say the replicas on show were 'excellent' (muted to 'very good indeed' in the second take) and his little side kick (the personable Richard Hammond) added that many had Mustang engines - something the great unwashed public might associate with).

Ours is a very specialised world, Top Gear is created for the masses - mainly the Lexus IS variety if other attendees is anything to go by!

Take a look at one of our club members (Ian O'Reilly - PERRYS ) enjoying the cockpit of the new Ford GT.

roy snook · 07-16-04, 04:39 PM

Clarkson asked what engines do these cars have?, Rover V8, ford V8 and jag V12, I answered 'not V12- just as the original cars'.
I hope he checks the engine in his car before he hands over the money,- V16 Diesel anyone! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

BenL · 07-18-04, 12:13 PM

For those folks on the wrong side of the pond to watch Top Gear live, some of the shows eventually appear at:
http://www.voodoofiles.co.uk/
(though to see some of the shows you'll need to be a subscriber).

Murray Cowley · 07-18-04, 04:31 PM

Just watched the show on the box, thought it went OK. He certainly is very enthusiastic about the new GT 40. Spose he has to be otherwise Ford won't let him have one!! The cars on show looked good, well done the boys!!
Murray

Paul Thompson 'Hooligan' · 07-18-04, 04:48 PM

Yep - well done chaps, your cars looked great and I'm glad to see he described them as fine examples - that they are!