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.