BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond

Subject: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 04:15 AM

Has been seriously injured in an attempt on the British land speed record. He apparently crashed at about 300mph (480kph).

latest here

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: The PA
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 04:49 AM

I think is really sad and hope he recovers. ......... However, surely this kind of thing was an accident waiting to happen. When JCB broke the land speed record (350.094 mph) to be exact, in August this year, their 'car' was 'driven' by an experienced, qualified jet fighter pilot. These machines cannot be called cars.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 05:07 AM

From most of the racing community on the boards I read, most wish him well but agree he had no business in that car.

I hope he fully recovers and remains in the broadcast end of the sport or at the most in amateur racing

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 05:23 AM

So are we expected to feel sorry for someone who drives like a fool ?

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Paul Burke
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 05:26 AM

My first reaction was that he who lives by the sword should remember it's got sharp edges. Top Gear is to my mind an utterly destructive program, encouraging irresponsible attitudes to driving and its social and environmental impact.

But that said, he's a young bloke with a young family. I hope he recovers soon and learns from the experience.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 05:38 AM

I agree.

I see this programme and feel proud that I drive their hated Vauxhall Vectra (and I tow a caravan!).

Their preoccupation with style and speed over all else was bound to end in tears one day. We can only be grateful that it wasn't some innocent bystander who copped it.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 05:58 AM

Agree with the above about this dangerous programme. This accident is just another manifestation of what we see in all forms of entertainment, the idea that the amateur can do it just as well as the pro. ("Richard Hammonds...you are Malcolm Campbell!")
Well, no they can't, and this is a classic example.
It's like putting someone in a jet fighter who's only flown a Chipmunk trainer.
The BBC should be ashamed, and the people who okayed this stunt should be fired.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 06:38 AM

Well I wish 'The Hamster' a speedy and full recovery.
I also hope that Top Gear returns to reality and becomes a car programme again, and not a series of Hooray Henry type silly arse stunts.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 07:30 AM

Come back William Woollard! His segments on servicing an Austin Allegro were great.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Mingulay
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 07:31 AM

History has a habit of repeating itself. Back in the early 70's I was heavily involved in drag racing and a group of us race marshals were invited to help crew a jet car at Elvington driven by a mad Swede called Arnie Sundvquist. The car was basically a jet engine (with afterburner) with a Volvo wheel at each corner of the RSJ chassis. During an attempt at the flying kilometre a gust of wind hit the car side on, he popped the 'chutes an flew off into the middle of nowhere. When we reached him he was just climbing out of the cockpit the top of his bonedome (not crash helmet) having been grazed by a 4" diameter wooden stake from a trackside hoarding. Peering into the cockpit we noticed the air speed indicator jammed at just over 300 knots. He was lucky, shaken but unscathed.

I hope Richard Hammond recovers and goes off to recuperate with a long caravan holiday.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 08:12 AM

I add my good wishes for 'the Hampsters' speedy and full recovery. I agree with the other comments as well and hope Top Gear will become a bit more down to earth again. I don't want to loose the reviews of the latest supercars, after all we can all dream ca't we, but Clarkson is at his abosolte best when slagging off the latest clone churned out by the big companies:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 08:49 AM

way back in the 60's..

anyone remember those little blue NHS invalid 3 wheeler cars..

or even the self-propelled wheel chairs powered by hand pedals..


maybe if he survives and is seen to be presenting motoring TV
from one of those more gently paced vehicles
it might make a more constructive impression
on the injury & death mongering boy racer ****s
who plague the town where i live..

and will most probably be the cause of me or the wifes premature demise
as we get older and try to walk across roads..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 09:30 AM

Ah yes boy racers, you'll never get me driving like that in my new [to me] 240 BHP Toyota MR2 Turbo. That's if it ever arrives from Japan, where it currently resides.
I suppose I could become a Grandad Racer!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 11:13 AM

MR2? Hairdresser!

What about a TR2 or a Healey 3000, or a Healey Alvis or an Allard J2R or X, or an XK150? - all much better mannered at the limit, not least because the limit was lower. The E type driven hard was a bit like the Audi TT widowmaker - too sudden!

I did from time to time think that Top Gear was irresponsible, particularly when street-racing things like the Ford Asbo as Clarkson dubbed it.

Hammond could be a conceited git - his piece in the Mirror advocating queue-jumping at obstructions had me reaching for my horsewhip (and how I chortled a few weeks ago when an artic put a little twonk like Hammond right off the M1 when the said little twonk tried to jump the queue on the inside).

But we don't know whether driver error or overenthusiasm (like Donald Campbell) caused this crash, which did not endanger others, so to that extent I sympathise.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 11:33 AM

TURBO hairdresser if you don't mind matey!

G ☺

It is the MkII Evolution 3 after all!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 01:00 PM

LOL......Richard, you couldn't get a TR2 going fast enough to get into trouble! And today's hi-perf lines are far better mannered at speed than anything you suggest. I'd love to believe that my '71 Vette with all of it shaking, roaring, and ground pounding excitement, could outperform an '06 but I would only be kidding myself.

Thinga have progressed......***sigh***.....and more's the pity. But you just can't go home again.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 01:11 PM

I shouldn't be admitting this but I love 'Top Gear' - and I hate myself for it!!!!

Get well soon, Hamster - you silly, silly boy!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 01:14 PM

Anyone who is brave enough to attempt any world land or water speed record has my admiration.....better had it been successful but heres praying and hoping for a speedy recovery....Have another go mate....

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 01:20 PM

One has to say that a programme and presenters who treat dangerous weapons in such a cavalier fashion cannot be other than circumspect about the dangers.

The whole tenor of the program treats cars as playthings rather than the dangerous bludgeons they can be. What it does to the yoof and their driving habits can only be conjecture - but it doesn't make the roads safer - IMNSHO.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 01:20 PM

BBC are hopeful he will make' full recovery' but has a 'significant brain injury.'

I think it is unfair that he be called to book for boy racers. There have always and will always be idiots on the road. He was off road and the only person at risk was himself.

Yes I think as a father of two young children he should have thought of the risk more. But wish him all the best.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 03:05 PM

Likewise, I don't blame Top Gear for boy racers.

Who do I blame?

Well, quite often, THEIR FATHERS.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Darowyn
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 03:15 PM

My late father was one of the area engineers who ran the department that were responsible for the blue three-wheeler invalid trikes. Some were made by AC - the sports car company (the Shelby Cobra was originally an AC) some were made by Greeves, who also made Motocross bikes.
Both companies produced "special" versions for the Ministry engineers- using 380cc MX motors instead of the 200cc versions.
My dad and his colleagues used to play at pulling wheelies and doing traffic light drag races on Blackpool Prom.
Some people only become engineers because of the thrill of speed.
The problem with Top Gear is the wilfull ignorance about any of the technical stuff - except of course the "nearly FOUR HUNDRED brake horsepower" phrase which come into every car review.
Having said all that, I wish Richard Hammmonds a full recovery- because I know full well that if I'd been there, and I'd been offered a run, I'd have gone for the record.
Cheers
Darowyn

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: SCUNNYBEEKEEPER
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 04:41 PM

I consider Top Gear one of the most amusing programmes on the beeb. I hope the hamster soon recovers and returns to verbal jockeying with Jeremy Clarkson .

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 06:55 PM

Hmm, another post eaten soddit

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 07:02 PM

Well, if you feed your posts soddit what do you expect, Richard? Treat them with respect and feed them real food. They will thank you for it...

:D (tG)

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Lanfranc
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 07:03 PM

My wife's uncle mated a Rolls-Royce Merlin to a Morria 8 Series E chassis in the late '40s. Engineers do things like that.

Mostly they don't expect the result to handle like a Porsche 911.

All the best, Hamster, here's to a full recovery!

Alan

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 07:09 PM

I think the programme represents the worst of the moronic male. Were I to lead a revolution Clarkson would be the first to go!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,female driver
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 07:58 PM

Jodie Kidd who is very female won the time challenge in the last series.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Gurney
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 11:59 PM

Two of the presenters are bloody loonys, and one of them is the hamster, and I hope he gets well soon.
Perhaps they will get that German bird to stand in while he's off.

It says on our news that he'd finished his sixth run and something went wrong when he popped the 'chute.


I fixed one of those AC trikes for a paraplegic bloke, and had to take it for a test run. Of course. Bloody awful, tiller steering coming from the left side, auto gears, twistgrip throttle and press-down-on-the-tiller brakes. All you had to do with the left hand was turn signals, which didn't self-cancel. If memory serves.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: The Walrus
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 03:08 AM

I'm not a great fan of Top Gear (I'll quite happily watch it, but I wouldn't put myself out to do so).

That said, Here's hoping the Hampster has a full and swift recovery.

W

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: The PA
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 03:23 AM

I dont think I've ever seen so many different spellings of 'hamster'. The only horsepower I'm familiar with is the large hairy kind with four legs and the gas guzzler which pulls his trailer, but my son (16) and I always watch Top Gear and find it mainly hilarious. My husband who is a mechanic and professional engineer thinks its total tripe and never watches. As I said in my original post I hope Hammond makes a full and speedy recovery, I wouldn't wish that sort of injury on anyone, regardless of how it occurred.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 04:51 AM

Latest reports say that Richard has suffered serious brain damage but the doctors are hopeful of a good recovery (not a full recovery I notice). Best wishes from me too.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 04:53 AM

Sorry, that should read significant brain damage

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 05:52 AM

One of the television reports, on this incident, suggested that the programme's producer had to fill out a "full risk assessment" before filming could commence.

Presumably he concluded that a rocket-propelled car, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 300 mph, didn't represent any sort of significant risk?

Just goes to show what a meaningless 'hoop-jumping exercise' most risk assessments actually are!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Mr Fox
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:01 AM

You mean he's actually GOT a brain?

So should perish all boy racers. Hopefully, the fastest thing he'll be driving from now on will be an electric wheelchair. Clarkson next - with any luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:07 AM

That is without doubt one of the nastiest posts I've ever seen on this site "Mr Fox"
I only hope nobody is wishing the same fate on you, although I could be tempted after that post!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:07 AM

Come off it, Mr Fox. I can't stomach the program or its presenters either but I'm not about to wish brain damage or being wheelchair bound on them.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: skipy
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:13 AM

If I hate to vote to lose a single member of this "club", Mr Fox it would be you!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: The PA
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:54 AM

Mr Fox has obviously never had to cope with anyone who has undergone any form of brain injury/surgery as I have. I hope Richard Hammond makes a full recovery, and Mr Fox I hope you live to regret your words. Shame on you.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 07:56 AM

Are we supposed to feel sorry for some clown that shows no respect for his wife and children and wants to climb out of a car waving and expecting to be a hero ? His actions were foolish to say the least. My neice was was killed two years ago by a guy driving the oppose direction at 123 mph. No pity for him at all. He brought it upon himself

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,green very cross code man
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:07 AM

if he's still able to talk after his recovery..

how about he presents a new style responsible road safety tv show
co-hosted with Eddie Kidd..


and..

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/g/grenxcod.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:12 AM

Not a valid comparison Guest 07:56.
G.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:17 AM

If we wish him well can we also wish him circumspection and not a little humble pie?

Top Gear is about real people and real cars - it has a duty to respect the dangers implied in HORSPOWER. That is why the presentation is a serious issue. The programme is not a drama, film or soap, it is about real deathtraps.

It is only at times like this we can say anything with any impact.

Cars kill a lot of people. And 4X4 's (so loved by the programme) kill more per car as a type than any other. And that is just the occupants, we all know about those killed outside the 4X4. Will we see any caveats in Top Gear from now on?

Answers are required....................

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:22 AM

when i was younger, i used to work as a para-medic in an hospital amputees ward..


most of the young male patients had lost limbs on the roads..



..at best..

fast cars are natures way of culling surplus macho idiot bloodlines from the genepool..

..shame about the tragic consequences for the innocent victims of these cretins..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:33 AM

Yes, it was a silly and risky thing to be doing, but not stupid. Stupid would be taking the same car out onto a public road, and trying the same kind of stunt without emergency personnel standing by.

Risk assesments are not about eliminating every risk, that's simply impossible, they're about removing as many of the non-intrinsic ones as possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:48 AM

btw..

apart from environmental fuel emissions considerations..

i see no problem at all with amateur enthusiasts enjoying
testing and racing fast powerfull vehicles

in specialist self-contained pro-staffed race tracks and venues..

who wouldn't fancy a go at such an occasional treat
and stress-busting playtime..


[me.. i'd jump at the offer of an expensive gift voucher to hurl
a tank around a military firing range !!!]


but please just keep it safely off the public highways..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Grab
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:03 AM

Presumably he concluded that a rocket-propelled car, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 300 mph, didn't represent any sort of significant risk?

Presumably he concluded, like Donald Campbell, Andy Green and numerous others before, that the risk had been minimised as far as possible, and what risk was left was worth taking.

This is a classic mistake. The point of risk assessments or any similar formal ways of assessing potentially-dangerous situations is *NEVER* to remove all risk. (If you want to remove all risk, stay at home in your armchair and get fat and lazy, while the rest of the world actually *does* things.) No, the purpose is simply to *assess* what the risks are. When you know what the risks are, you can do something about them - for instance "the brakes fail and I do a Stuka into the wall at the end" has a mitigating action "fit a couple of parachutes". There's still the risk that the brakes *and* the chutes fail, but you've done what you can to reduce the overall risk.

In this case, one risk they should have covered was "driver error". Maybe they thought his existing experience was enough. More likely they thought that with some trial runs at lower speeds, he'd be able to see whether he could handle it at full whack - which is exactly what they did (remember that this was his 6th run).

Top Gear is about real people and real cars

Really? Well, OK, they're real people and real cars, but only in the same way as the Queen driving a Rolls Royce is a real person in a real car. Back in the real world, it's completely outside the experience of just about everyone watching. Consider other motorsport - F1, for instance; that's got real people in real cars, going incredibly fast in difficult conditions. But we don't all rush out to accuse Michael Schumacher of causing their niece's death. And nor do we say "I'm glad Ayrton Senna ran into that wall and died - he was a menace to society". Or maybe a better example would be touring cars, which are actual cars you might be driving every day - no-one says that they're inciting boy racers. Or if they do, (a) I haven't heard them, and (b) they're talking rubbish.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 10:24 AM

I can't actually remember Top Gear going sentimental over many 4x4s, in fact the only one I remember them featuring was the new Dicovery. I do remember them being very scathing indeed about the poor crash test results on a Freelander.
Ken Livingstone has the same rabid response to the words 4x4, in his prejudiced mind it conjures up Toyota Land Cruisers and Humvees, while in reality most 4x4s on the road today wear the badges of Subaru and Audi.
Not forgetting this 11'8" 980 kg monster ☺
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: skipy
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 10:43 AM

Breaking News (BBC):-
Richard is able to talk again.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 11:00 AM

F1, for instance; that's got real people in real cars, going incredibly fast in difficult conditions. But we don't all rush out to accuse Michael Schumacher of causing their niece's death

No but there are plenty of boy racers who do try and drive like that on public roads, and yes some of them have been F1 drivers.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: skipy
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 11:09 AM

It was road speed that put Sir Frank Williams in a wheelchair.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 11:22 AM

Jeez what a load of po faced killjoys we do have around here, a car doing 10mph can kill somebody. You can't uninvent the motor car, and you can't stop people doing dangerous things in them
That is the kind of mentality that would have Mount Everest flattened in case somebody fell off it and got hurt.
When asked why he wanted climb Mount Everest Sir Edmund Hilary reportedly said "Because it's there", well cars are there so get over it!
Another thing to remember is the old saying about guns, 'Guns don't kill people, people kill people' You could apply the same adage to cars!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 11:34 AM

anyone wants to climb everest ??

let 'em. i dont give a **** what personal risks they take up there
as long as they respect the natural mountain environment..


but dangerous assholes driving cars at any speed..??

**** 'em if they get injured or killed !

though the NHS money spent repairing & rehabilitaing them
and getting the ****s fit enough to get back on the road..

i can think of more deserving health spending priorities..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: JennyO
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 12:00 PM

That is the kind of mentality that would have Mount Everest flattened in case somebody fell off it and got hurt.

That puts me in mind of parts of Denis Kevans's poem "Concreeto" -

"The Mountains are very crooked, very rough job,
Full of cracks, very rough, rough rocks,
Got to fill it up with the concreeto,.....................
........................................................................
Because concreeto is beautiful…it's a beautiful colour grey-ey-ey…nice and smooooth
Nice and square, nice and straight, with the concree-eeto,
So the bushwalkers can walk straight up and straight down,
Saves time walking round the crooked mountains............"

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Paul Burke
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 12:01 PM

Giok, it's easier to kill people if you've got a gun, or a fast car (in a public place). The actual conditions of Hammond's crash are not the issue; the problem is that Clarkson's attitude encourages people to take risks (self- assessed, and usually ill- assessed) in public places.

Maybe there ought to be subsidised racetrack burnups for drivers who want them, and instead of fining speeding or dangerous drivers, they lose their entitlement to their day out at the fair.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 12:06 PM

Still I do not think this guy deserves understanding. What comes first in your life, your family or being a smart ass on television. The hospital should bill the producers of the programme. As least this smart ass won't be doing it again.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 12:07 PM

Morris dancing leads to dangerous acting out in public where innocent people are exposed to assholes.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 12:29 PM

"Maybe there ought to be subsidised racetrack burnups for drivers who want them, and instead of fining speeding or dangerous drivers, they lose their entitlement to their day out at the fair."



Track days


Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 12:57 PM

Actually, there is not a single - I'll repeat that - not a single proven case of an off-roader 4x4, being used for recreational greenlaning on minor highways - ie byways RUPPs UCRs or other unmetalled routes with vehicular rights of way (as distinct from off-road racing or trials, which do NOT use public rights of way) injuring any other user of such routes. Yuppies in Porsche Cayennes in Sainsbury's carpark however - scary!

I have been a petrolhead all my life, and I still think there is a serious case to answer that Top Gear encourages irresponsible driving on public roads. The worst culprit is Clarkson, for example dubbing a particular Ford hot-hatch the "Ford Asbo".

Hammond, too, encouraged queue-jumping at partial road obstructions. He wrote an article in the Mirror newspaper on it. Very antisocial.

And if you saw the piece on caravans on Top Gear you would have seen what a bunch of total idiots they all were (incidentally, people don't queue behind my caravan, usually they have trouble keeping up unless I am obeying a speedlimit which I sometimes do).

I feel sorry for his family, but he wasn't a hero, and it was a risk he knew or ought to have known he was taking.   Even if it turns out not to have been driver error - it was still a risk he knew he was taking.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Grab
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:21 PM

No but there are plenty of boy racers who do try and drive like that on public roads

Yep, plenty of prats in the world. When you can show me that they're doing that because they've been influenced by F1/touring cars/World Rally/Top Gear/Herbie Goes Bananas, instead of just because they're prats, then you might have a case. Just saying "they drive fast, and Top Gear presenters drive fast, therefore Top Gear is at fault" is clearly bogus.

What comes first in your life, your family or being a smart ass on television.

Ask Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins - two out of three of the first moon-shot astronauts were married with kids. I doubt either of them put "being a smart ass on TV" top of their reasons for doing it. Or if it comes to that, try all the professional stuntmen/women working in films and TV who happen to be married.

I agree with Paul's idea of getting kids to learn about going fast somewhere where they won't damage anyone other than themselves. I think that'd be a great idea - unlikely to happen, but it's a great idea.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:27 PM

Train drivers take risks, astronauts take risks, motorcycle couriers take risks, vets take risks, farmers take risks, miners take risks, pilots take risks, hot air balloonists take risks, the military take risks, fishermen take risks, lifebost men take risks...

none of them have a gun to their head making them do it and none of them are wished an untimely death.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:28 PM

Richard Bridge -
The Top Gear caravan feature was a wind-up, and all the mishaps were quite obviously staged. You weren't supposed to take it seriously!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:43 PM

likewise.. prove "top gear" does not contribute to the general malaise..
encouraging a macho culture of selfish and stupidly dangerous
behaviour on public roads..

theres still a genuine case to be argued..

even if some individuals are too obtinately biased to consider it valid..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Bernard
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 02:19 PM

The real morons are those who use their vehicles as weapons on public highways, and put innocent bystanders at risk. When one of these types kills someone, often because their judgement was impaired by alcohol or some such, it is rare they are punished adequately for the deed they have done, simply because they 'had no intent to kill'.

I'm afraid there are much worse programmes for glorifying such behaviour on television - I'm thinking particulalry of the 'Real Police Chases' type of voyeurism. It would be interesting to know if any research has been done to examine the effect of such programmes.

No matter what our opinions, Hammond was only putting himself at risk, and seems to have been the unfortunate victim of a tyre failure which can happen to anyone with disastrous consequences. Perhaps he was ill advised in taking the risk... but hindsight is such a wonderful thing!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 03:03 PM

Interesting comment in a newsreel about the crash, a comment which wasn't followed up. The statement was that the car went out of control after he popped the chute, so driver error may not have been a factor.

It amazes me how many people seem to know exactly who to blame before there is ANY hard evidence on which to base a conclusion.

I wish I was that clever.........Well actually, NO I DON'T!

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:15 PM

James May (the non-loony, just eccentric) presenter, has been to see the hamster, and although he is still very ill, he seems to be 'there.'
In Top Gear they do their maddest driving away from public roads, and in cars that boy racers could never afford. I can't remember them ever doing anything exciting in a family car. However, if anyone is expecting political correctness from that programme, don't hold your breath whilst you are waiting.

Her Indoors says that if we were waiting for a lead from the non-adventurous, we would still be in the trees.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:33 PM

why are the the more conservative libertarians here

constantly willfully confusing 'adventurous individualism' with 'stupidly selfish dangerous sociopaths'


i cant see anyone here who says theres anything intrisicaly wrong
with
a spirit of adventure and hedonistic thrill seeking..

just as long as its kept at a safe remove from public roads and town centres

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 06:52 PM

And so long as the loonies pay for the helicopter rescue, and the air ambulance, and the hospital treatment.

It's what they say about smokers and drinkers and the fat, isn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 03:43 AM

Fans of Richard Hammond have been showing their appreciation of the service they rendered, by making donations to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service!
Giok

There ya go!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 04:31 AM

When you buy a car, you want it to have been tested to its limits for your own safety. When you are given advice about a car, you want the same rigorous and sometimes extreme testing to have preceded it - for your own sake.

When you buy a medicine, you want it to have been tested on (volunteer) humans, for side effects.

To then turn round when things go wrong and accuse such testers or volunteers of being irresponsible seems a tad off to me. They take a calculated risk, supervised by professionals, and all for some gain that inevitably will never outweigh loss of life or permanent damage to their health or well-being.

My hat off to them.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 05:58 AM

Is that what Hammond was doing?

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 06:05 AM

Indeed, Richard, in my view anyway. Though you might want to argue that the market for jet-powered 300mph cars is rather small ;-) - but the market for his TV programme is bigger.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Bernard
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 06:52 AM

Explorers are a breed apart from the rest of us. Without them, the world would be a boring place. They do what we would like to do, and enable us to do it 'by proxy' via media coverage.

Everyone makes mistakes, as the hedgehog said climbing off the scrubbing brush...

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 07:51 AM

According to the Beeb Richard has taken his first steps since the accident on Thursday and has talked and is smiling.

Onwards and upwards Richard!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 08:14 AM

I liked Clarkson's comment to him: "The reason you're here is because you are a crap driver". I had to smile at that, and the obvious camaraderie that allows him to say it - typical Clarkson. And Hammond of course smiled back. Nevertheless, I wonder how long it will be before someone registers an objection to Clarkson's statement labelling him "insensitive"...Any takers?

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Firecat
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 11:12 AM

Good news that Hamster is able to walk. I just hope that he recovers quickly. It must be horrible for his wife and kids to have to see him like that.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Firecat
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 04:06 PM

Latest update on Hamster (I was reading the Teletext news pages): He's been moved to a general ward.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 04:22 PM

Great news and what a remarkably 'safe' car. How did he get out of that alive????

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 04:56 PM

Have you seen the cage that the driver sits in?
G.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: HuwG
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 05:31 PM

Recognising that "Top Gear" has little relevance to everyday motoring, I wish the Hamster well, and am pleased that he seems to be recovering.

Top Gear gnerally restricts itself to playing with toys few people can afford, in exotic locations most humdrum wage-slaves can only dream about (not including Elvington, of course). In my opinion, it does not encourage "boy racers" nor advocate the purchase of unduly expensive, thirsty and obstructive SUV's.

The programme did once take issue with the proliferation of speed cameras, pointing out that a 150 percent increase in revenue from speeding fines could claim statistically to have saved only four lives. (There are of course lies, damned lies and statistics.)

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 05:44 PM

point is though;

neither does Top Gear accept any responsibility
to actively discourage fukwit lethal boy racers

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 06:01 PM

No, that is precisely not the point, GUEST.

To blame any one TV programme - or indeed TV as a whole - for the existence of the "boy racers" is not just wrong; it is extremely simplistic and misguided (& -ing). It may sit well with the prevalent "find someone to blame" culture, of course. But it does not wash parental responsibility away - the prime driver - or that of education or surrounding culture and peer pressure, all much more significant factors in the creation of these so-called "fuckwits".

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 06:38 PM

no sorry george..

did anyone here say top gear is the sole primary causal factor
for these halfwit speedwanks..

nope..

does anyone here even think anything that simplistic or misguided..

again.. nope..



but is it not too much to ask that the producers of an extremely popular BBC light entertainment show

should maybe just take a teensy weensy bit extra responsibility
in attempting to 'guide' and educate these impressionable daft young chaps
who forever lust after faster street racer deathtraps

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 07:13 PM

I think your expectation is unrealistic. The days when the Beeb was educational are largely gone. I wonder (don't know) even if it is stated anywhere in their goals or objectives to educate (though it should). Nowadays it's just another group of ratings-chasing channels, and little more beyond that. So, not too much to ask; but probably too much to expect.

Before the Beeb, others have even higher responsibility to educate; and I fear they don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: Bernard
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 07:29 PM

The wording was changed from 'Educate' to 'Entertain' at the recent licencing review...

The people who manufacture such vehicles for use on the Public Highway have a far greater responsibility, I believe.

No-one can argue that Hammond's 'vehicle' would ever be seen anywhere but on a special track...

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 03:54 AM

George is right in saying that the blame culture is eroding many people's sense of self responsibility, and the tendency to blame irresponsibility and thuggery on an unhappy childhood is laughable.
One side bleats about poor little Johnny who was brought up in poverty with a drunken father, and it's not really his fault that he turned out as he did, and they mentally spread the blame.
Another side blames one person like Maggie Thatcher, for the sins of a whole system of government, which is patently misguided, and possibly just a tad prejudiced.
So it goes with Richard Hammond, he's now being held up by some as epitomising a certain type of antisocial driver behaviour, for making his living on private land with safety and rescue people on standby, he is blamed for yobbos driving stolen cars through council estates! That's some extrapolation!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammonds
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 07:17 AM

A news summary just announced that the amount so far given to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service following Richard Hammond's accident is £130,000.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,TV Addict
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 09:16 AM

oh so it was just another grand BBC publicity stunt appeal for charity..

maybe it can become an annual event just like red nose day..


perhaps the audience will be encouraged to vote in mass
on a premium rate phone line

to select next years celebrity they most want to see crash at over 300 mph..


yeah !!!!


Clarkson next..

or maybe Johnathon Ross..


or who's that realy irritating woman on .. errmm you know
that show with all those annoying women..

oh whats her name..???


anyway heres to next years BBC "Celebrity Skid'n'Crash" charity day event..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 09:28 AM

Cynical but predictable lapse of taste there.
G

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,Head of BBC Light Entertainment
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 09:35 AM

Please desist in leaking confidential information
regarding future BBC programme schedule highlights.

Thank you.


Btw, vote lines will be open at £1.50 per minute from the end of this week.
Star contestants will be announced very shortly.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 10:44 AM

I'm afraid that you'll have to do it on radio, as there is no Head of Light Entertainment on TV only on radio, and he is Paul Schlesinger. Car crashes sort lose their impact on radio don't you think?
So you may be a figment of your own imagination ☺
G ☻

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 11:12 AM

Boy racers have been around alot longer than cars. People have probably been blaming each other for going too fast since someone first fell off a horse....

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 12:02 PM

Ben Hur !

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: Keef
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 05:58 AM

Excuse slight thread power drift. Those er invalid trikes, when I was a lad we used to call them Spastic Carriages/Chariots, with characteristic teenage sensitivity. They looked like they were designed to create disabilities more so than assist with them.
Are there any websites that show anything of the history and performance of these strange conveyances?

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 06:04 AM

Over £150,00 has now been donated by Hammond fans,the air ambulance charity is considering using it to buy a new helicopter and name it after him. He'll love that!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 06:09 AM

BBC news last night said it was over £170,000.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,Doris
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 06:50 AM

So there we have a stupid bloody programme which is watched by men in their late 40 plus and a few 17 year old dreamers. The 40's plus brigade (who can now afford a 10 year old sports car) see themselves as cool, dispite a thin crown, chest to stomach the same width and a dodgey walk,sorry almost forgot the jeans, minus an ass.

They think this will get the young girls looking at them. The programme is "must see" viewing for this crew. They go down to their local and over a swift half, tell the guys about some sports car well outside of their price range as if it was sitting at their front door.

Then they talk about some second rate presenter, who half the country never heard off until he almost produced a widow, as if he was some kind of hero ! Yeah, Hammond is a great guy, would I or would I not love to get a chance at the wheel of something like that ! Then go into a rant about what he did wrong, as if they knew the pit falls of the accident.

Boys, sadly you only get money in your pocket (for that ten year old Z3)when too many birthdays came first. Settle for a drive to the car wash on a Saturday morning and a look through the car mags, when your wife is in another part of the store getting the weekly shop.

Sad really.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 06:57 AM

Doris, what is truly sad is seeing someone using such an opportunity for generalising, grumpy-old-person-ing and venting. My daughter and wife would both disagree with you, because they have enjoyed the programme regularly over the years; and guess what - they look or behave nothing like the descriptions you provided.

In the end, someone was hurt. Whether man or woman, stupid or clever, unknown or famous. Be glad that he is getting better now, and that the charities are £170,000 richer, and leave it at that.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 07:27 AM

Doris may I extend my sincere condolences on your loss.
G

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 07:27 AM

And on reaching your century too
G

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: The PA
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 07:36 AM

For those who dislike Top Gear and anything remote associated with it the answer is simple, switch to another channel. You can drive in the manner you prefer, in the vehicle you prefer at the speed you prefer. For goodness sake stop moaning on about those who may choose to do things differently! Any just to really hack you off, I drive a great big gas guzzling, air poluting Range Rover. Its my vehicle, my choice and nothing to do with anyone else.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,punkfolklrocker
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 10:03 AM

do we realy feel any sympathy
for the multitude of affluent
inexperienced mid-life crisis noobie bikers..
spending their big fat corporate bonus's on harlys
and/or other exotic
top of range speedster road bikes..

who are aparently now

[ie. theres probably statistics somewhere, but i cant be arsed looking atm..]

a significantly increasing serious road injury/death casualty demographic group..


oh well.. i'm off now for my regular walk of a couple of miles to the gym..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 11:28 AM

Don't trip on the kerb.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 11:39 AM

Yeah, by all means don't trip off the curb! I'd hate to see a fast moving Kawasaki jammed up your ass.....I mean, who would pay?

........gimmee peace.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 11:48 AM

..i haven't gone out yet..

still finishing off a nice mug of tea [no milk.....]


yes kerbs are a theoretical risk..

[at least one recorded instance of impact of stubbing the toes causing death
from percussive brain damage..!!!]

and thanks for the reminder...

but..

i've already so far survived nearly 1/2 a century
as an active and fit pedestrian and cyclist
by learning to keep eyes and ears wide open
monitoring
for approaching halfwits in vehicles too powerful
for their limited driving abilities, social awareness.. or inteligence..


BTW.. last night me and the mrs watched a movie double bill
for a bit of a laugh

"the fast and the furious"
and its sequel "2 fast and 2 furious" ..

..we both fell asleep during a monotonous extended car chase
in the 2nd movie..

but at least the producers payed lip service to including
a 'disclaimer' road safety advice message
in the closing titles..

we'll try to finish off watching it tonight..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: Trevor
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 11:56 AM

None taken Doris and punkrockfu... ronkfupocke..... oh, can't be arsed on account of the fact that my advanced years, thinning crown, jeans with no arse(?)and all those other things that I apparently must have, have also resulted in some significant brain damage, so I obviously can't help myself laughing like a drain at Top Gear, enjoying the enthusiasm and non PC piss-taking of the presenters.

Maybe I'll turn into a big responsible grown-up one day, and find somebody on whom to wish brain-damage.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 11:59 AM

Gosh matey,what's it like to be perfect and infallible?
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 12:12 PM

ah.. talking of piss-taking..

25 odd years ago when i was subsidising my punkrock band playing activities

by working as an orderly in an amputees hospital ward..

one of my daily duties was helping blokes of all ages

go to the lav when they needed to..

either wheeling in the legless and giving them a disposable bottle..

or 'helping' the armless to aim & empty their bladders..

[i think thats as much as needs to be detailed in a family friendly website]

a very humbling and embarrasing situation for myself at the age of 20

and for the guys around the same age as me
who must have truly believed they were invincible road warriors.

and who would now need to spend the rest of their lives
disabled and dependant
on professional health workers
and their families..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 12:14 PM

ps.. dunno 'Giok' ??


you'd have to ask my mrs..!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 10:41 AM

BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5388296.stm


"Six month recovery' for Hammond

Richard Hammond is making good progress in his recovery

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, who crashed in a jet-powered car, could be "back to his old self" within six months, according to his neurologist."



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5387568.stm


"Road casualty figures falling

Road casualties in Britain fell last year, although figures show the decline in deaths has now reached a plateau.

The Department for Transport released contributory factors for the first time, showing drivers' failure to look properly featured in 32% of accidents.

But in fatal crashes, loss of control was most common, with 35%, and excessive speed was reported in 15% of all accidents and 26% of fatal crashes.



The government has a target to reduce death and serious injury figures by 40% by the year 2010, compared with the average figures between 1994-1998. While there has been a major drop in serious injuries, deaths have remained relatively static.


Numbers of cyclist deaths rose 10%.."

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 12:07 PM

"...excessive speed was reported in 15% of all accidents and 26% of fatal crashes...."

GEEZIZ!!! 26% of all fatals are the result of excessive speed. Hmmmmm...So that means 74% happen when you're going slow. Just as I always thought....A lot of people just drive way too damn slow! Personally, I'm going to speed up and live....What a great slogan!

SPEED UP AND LIVE!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 12:14 PM

SPEED UP AND MOW DOWN CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS AND LIVE!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 12:28 PM

It may be only a small percentage of the deaths cause, but it's a very large percentage of the fine revenues raised. Oh what a milch cow the motorist is to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
G.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 12:50 PM

another way to view these statistics is;

"most road injuries and deaths are caused by drivers'
lack of attention and speeding"

to paraphrase a BBC TV news announcer earlier this evening.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 01:37 PM

Hammond has been moved to a BUPA hospital today nearer home. So now what can the whiners find to moan about?

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST,a killjoy lefty whiner
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 01:53 PM

plenty !!!


Bastards
Undermining
Public
Amenities


.. couldn't think of a better one for "A" at the moment..

it'll 'ave to do..

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 05:48 PM

Cyclist deaths up 10%?

Hard to figure when about 70% of the cyclists in this country ride on the pavement (sidewalk, for our American friends).

Round where I live, elderly, slow moving pedestrians are safer walking in the road.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 08:37 PM

So glad to see the news today. First week is so important regarding prognosis. Man done so well, Hard work and fustration for half a year though. Can this thread regain the original plot!!

Subject: RE: BS: Top Gear's Richard Hammond
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 01:29 PM

This little weed who wasted many medics time when he drove one ego trip too far, appears to be trying to get back into the public eye again, not nice when the public forget you. A great hero among the boy racers, and middle aged wannabe boy racers ! With a little luck he will do the stunt again !