As, several years ago I registered an interest with the applause store got TG tickets it is fair to say I was wanting to go and see the "boring bits" of making the show.
I went a few years back, saw the one where Ranulph Feinnes was the star in the reasonably priced car. I participated in some Cool Wall banter with JC but it obviously ended up on the cutting room floor. The interview with Feinnes went on so long they weren't sure if there was enough time for St=EDg's lap in an AMG beast of some kind but they got both in and I didn't!!
The studio's a lot lot smaller than it looks on TV (though they've since moved to a bigger one) and very hot inside (plus it was summer when I went) the Toyota Hilux they trashed is even worse in real life with a DO NOT TOUCH notice on it. Stig was driving a McMerc around the track when we went for a teabreak. The friend I went with emerged from the toilets and said "did a plane just take off?" it really sounded like nothing else!
Whenever I saw Clarkson wandering about off-camera he had a can of beer in his hand, so he's half-cut when he's presenting. Strangely he kept looking at me in a way that says "I've seen you before, where do I know you from" but he never said anything.
Hammond looked a lot older in the flesh than on screen. Didn't stop him being swarmed by the females.
James May is a poofter for sure.
Still none the wiser who Stig is after being there.
There was a sea of metallic blue in the centre of the track, which I can only guess was a lot of spare reasonably priced cars.
Was a worthwhile day out but a long drive from Cheshire!
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.