Clarkson: race Japan
Posted by Jeremy Clarkson at 2:00PM on Friday 11 July, 2008 11 Comments
On Sunday night, there is a race between a Nissan GT-R and a bullet train right the way across Japan.
It is extremely exciting. I think the best film we've ever made.
Unfortunately, it will be spoiled because I shall have to spend the next few weeks explaining how these races are filmed to a bunch of people who imagine they're staged, scripted and pre-ordained.
Of course, the routes are carefully planned so the result will be close but it is impossible to guess what will actually happen after the flag drops.
You may notice if you watch carefully, the on board cameras in the GTR were flickering red and green. But did we stop to fix them? Did we hell as like.
During our race to Oslo, the poor cameraman in the back of the tracking car had to pee in a bottle. We do not stop.
In the Ferrari versus plane race to Verbier, I actually overtook the tracking car, leaving me with nothing but the on board mini cams. I was that desperate to get there first.
And we get back to be accused of fakery by some internet dweeb. It makes my effing teeth itch with rage.
Of course, once the race is run and the result in the bag, the camera crews stay behind to pick up the shots needed to make the whole thing work on television. The details. The icing. But that doesn't affect the outcome.
I hope you enjoy the race across Japan. And now you know it's all for real, every ball breaking moment of it, I hope you enjoy it even more.
Read Andy Wilman's show 4 blog.
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11 Comments for "Clarkson: race Japan"
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He is absolutely right. Clarkson knows all.
Sir Clarkson, I salute you. Your races are amazing and have brought a new dimension to the world of motoring entertainment.
I am one of your greatest fans and truly admire every staff member at TG, however small/big their paycheck.
Great season so far... keep 'em comin, you hear.
It seems Top Gear has to explain everything it does - now off screen as well as on. I think people find it hard to believe a show can be this good, and the relationships genuine, and the races real, so they question it. Everyone needs to accept TG for what it is: a work of genius.
I'm sorry we are stupid, and you have to explain it all to us... But the fact that you feel you had to means this must be one hell of a race!!! Bring it on.
I think you guys should just dispense with the explanations. It's pointless anyway because armchair teens are going to be all street-wise and doubtful about it regardless of what you do. That's the internet for ya'. As long as you enjoy making them, please, please, please keep making the programme, including those wacky races.
Looking forward to it, but when are we going to see what Clarkson finds on the net each week!!
I hate the way Top Gear has changed to a more comedy show, but what I hate most is Clarkson's silly reviews based upon ZERO automotive logic!!!!
I hate the way Top Gear has changed to a more comedy show, but what I hate most is Clarkson's silly reviews based upon ZERO automotive logic!!!!
I think this season is already one of the best ever. Thanks for making this mind-blowingly good TV programme - it gets me through some hard times.
Big thumbs up from Denmark!
You'd have to admit that it's natural for people to question things on telly that are too good to be true, Clarkson. That's why FACTUAL shows are popular these days.
Personally I couldn't give a monkey's if it was real or not - I want to know what that GTR is like to drive, and at the end of the day the big races always serve as good TV entertainment anyway.