John, what large sums? What mess? You make it sound as if this took place on public roads and a lot of infrastructure was damaged.

I don't condone excessive speeds on public roads, neither am I a speed freak. I do watch TG when I have time and find it very informative and entertaining however - and not necessarily because of any speeding involved, but for its road testing of various models.

The test Hammond was carrying out was perhaps unnecessary for any other than sensationalistic reasons, I'll grant you that. But I don't micromanage the BBC, I just pay my licence fee. And in the end Hammond was risking a lot more than the possible "waste of money". Why? I won't make a guess, why not ask him?