BBC have announced that they will continue filming Top Gear:

Filming for a new series of the BBC’s Top Gear programme has resumed, 15 days after presenter Richard Hammond crashed in a jet-powered car.

Source [ BBC News ]

Some footage of the Hamster crash can be seen below

car · crash · jet car · richard hammond · top gear

The BBC is to indefinitely postpone the new series of Top Gear until presenter Richard Hammond has recovered from the brain injuries he suffered in a high-speed crash.

and

“We would not think of finalising plans for the next series without discussing it with everyone involved,” the BBC said in a statement. “When it is suitable, the team will do this and we will announce a new transmission date.”

Source [Reuters UK]

According to the Times Online the road safety minister has backed the Top Gear cast. This is a positive step and all those who are trying to get TG pulled because it promotes “dangerous driving” should take note and not be so damn difficult!

The road safety minister has defended the high-octane stunts performed on the BBC’s Top Gear programme and described the presenter Richard Hammond as an “adventurer” after he was seriously injured in a 300mph crash.

In a further show of solidarity Andy Wilman has said that Top Gear will not return without our beloved hamster. Mr Wilman threatened to quit if the BBC are going to try to tone down the show as a result of the crash.

The fate of Top Gear, the BBC motoring show, depends on whether presenter Richard Hammond can recover from last week’s high-speed car crash, its executive producer said yesterday.

Andy Wilman, the man credited with turning Top Gear into BBC2’s most popular programme, said he could not imagine the series returning without Hammond. Wilman also threatened to quit if the corporation attempts to “tone down” the programme’s irreverent attitude and relish for speed. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson said he, too, would defy critics who “don’t like Top Gear and would love to see it off the screens”.

Source [The Observer]

Another BBC News clip about the condition of Richard Hammond

As always all we can do is hope that Richard gets better soon so that we can start to enjoy the greatest show on TV again.

Thanks for all the sources goes to FinalGear.com and Viper007Bond

bbc · car · crash · richard hammond · top gear

You may have heard in the news about how a collection has been going for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. This was started by a member of the PistonHeads community.

The clip above is the editor of PistonHeads on BBC News 24

If you are willing to help the cause and would like to contribute then visit the JustGiving website and pledge all you can to the Air Ambulance

car · crash · jet car · justgiving · pistonheds · richard hammond · thule · top gear · yorkshire · yorkshire air ambulance

Thankfully this year I havent had to pay for my car’s MOT/Tax/Insurance, my dad has. This is the last time he is paying for my car fully – next year its split 50-50 and the year after it’s all down to me.

The car was due its 60,000 mile service and I knew that a few things needed looking at so was expecting it to be fairly expensive but not as bad as it was.

First up was the road tax which was due before 1st Sept 06 which cost £175.00

Then when it went to Peugeot the following costs were racked up:

• Carry out 60000 mile service  – £107.73 + VAT
• Change engine oil – £24.38 + VAT
• Enviromental charge – £4.00 + VAT
• Fuel Line Cleaner – £11.95 + VAT
• Sundry Items?? – £5.95 + VAT
• HOUSG PLUG SE – £1.05 + VAT
• OIL FILTER – £7.92 + VAT
• Carry out MOT Test – £44.15
• Labour – £261.63 + VAT
• 4x Brake Pads – £45.80 + VAT
• FRONT BRAKE DISCS – £87.12 + VAT
• ANTIFREEZE – £13.05 + VAT
• WINDSCREEN WIPER BLADE – £6.88 + VAT
• RADIATOR – £143.668 + VAT
• BRAKE FLUID – £4.77 + VAT
• WTR OUTLET HO – £21.19 + VAT

Thankfully the VAT on the service was taken off as I had a nice voucher so the total for the first half was £162.98 and for the MOT+parts came to £736.10

I also have to get the insurance done at the end of the month which is going to cost approx £500

Therefore the total cost of keeping my car, and myself, legal for another 12 months is £1574.08

car

Richard Hammond has been moved from the ICU at Leeds General Infirmary to a High dependancy unit and his condition has been downgraded to stable.

More details at Sky News and BBC News

car · crash · jet car · richard hammond · thule · top gear · yorkshire

It has just been reported that the crash Richard Hammon was involved in was not an attempt to break the land speed record but was an experiment into speed using similar technologies.

Doctors have also said that the TG presenter has suffered a “Serious brain injury” but they are hoping he will make a good recovery. Jeremy Clarkson and James May have visited him in hospital and in a comment to the reporters JC said “I would just like to say how heartened Richard will be when I tell him just how many motorists and truck drivers on my way here wound down their windows to say they were rooting for him. Both James and I are looking forward to getting our hamster back.”

I will keep this updated as I know more about what is happening but I just hope that Richard makes a good recovery and the H&S/BBC dont decide to take TG off the air.

Sky News: Top Gear Star’s 300mph Horror Crash

car · crash · jet car · richard hammond · thule · top gear · yorkshire

If you havent already seen the news Richard Hammond crashed a Thule jet propelled car at speeds of approximatley 280mph yesterday whilst filming for the new series and trying to break the British Land Speed Record (currently 300.3mph).

Response teams who were first on the scene said that he was talking as he was removed from the car (probably complaining about the whiteness of his teeth). Hammond was rushed to Leeds Hospital where he is in a critical condition.

This morning he is said to be improving but both the BBC and his family are refusing to comment at this time.

BBC H&S are going through all the footage and evidence from the incident to see how an accident like this was possible.

Get well soon Hamster and I hope you are back on the Beeb as soon as you are ready.

car · crash · jet car · richard hammond · thule · top gear · yorkshire

This new hybrid Mini one is capable of over 900 miles when the 4 electric wheels are combined with the petrol engine which would allow you to drive from London through France and into Spain. You would eventually run out of power somewhere past Zaragoza.

More impressive than this is the fact that the car will be able to get you from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds (the same as a Lamborghini Diablo). The top speed is around 150mph which is fast enough for most people.

The developers said “We simply took a standard BMW Mini One, discarded the engine, the disc brakes, the wheels, and the gearbox. These components were replaced by four of our electric wheels, a lithium polymer battery, a large ultra capacitor, a very small ICE with generator (so small it almost fits alongside the spare wheel), an energy management system and a sexy in-car display module“.

There isnt a price to go with the article but it is possible to read more by clicking here

car · electic · mini · top gear