Right, so here's what you can expect at TopGear.com. As Mikey said, there are two cars - the main XKR and a chase car, the S-Type R.

We've split the route into four legs - you can navigate reports on each of them using the map above but, obviously, you won't be able to link to all the features until we've posted them. Duh.

I'm down to drive one of them, but I'm also stupid enough to have volunteered to do the entire trip - mostly to send back these updates to you guys.

It's 6.30pm here in New York. We'll be leaving in half-an-hour (that's midnight for you chaps). After that, I'll send updates whenever my Blue Peter laptop/mobile contraption allows.

Text definitely. Pictures hopefully. And video if I really cross my fingers. My first report should appear first thing tomorrow morning, check www.topgear.com/xkrroadtrip for updates.

So how did we get to this point? I arrived in New York at 6pm yesterday and headed straight to the hotel. We had a day to sort ourselves out and get the Jag ready before we kicked off, so we tried to take it easy. Pretty hard when you're this excited.

Had a bit of trouble at the airport when they seemed to take exception to my form-filling ability and sent me around twice, which always makes me sweat. Michael was wearing a really odd hat.

We came into NY proper over one of the bridges as the sun was setting, which felt appropriately epic. It was about 20-degrees, but it felt warmer. We met photographer Alex for a beer; Pat was due to arrive just before we set off.

After that, I couldn't sleep, so I made a list of things to buy before we started our trip. I realised we needed iPod iTrips (there's no jack in the Jag), some more detailed maps, a back-up stopwatch, some walkie-talkies - and a police escort or substantial bribe money...

I looked at a map and started to worry. It's a really REALLY long way. I became more and more concerned that we needed to be taking this thing more seriously - when you looked at the logistics, this could be very tiring and quite dangerous.

But it's too late now. Pat's just arrived, late, and Emma's turned up wearing a pair of killer heels - I hope she brought some normal shoes. Seems no one else has bothered to prepare properly, so why should I worry?

OK, we're off. There's a short video we shot before leaving if you're interested. After that, check out TopGear.com Thursday morning from, hopefully, around 7.30am for our first report. By then we should be most of the way to Indianapolis. Gulp.

Watch video of the boys before the trip kicked off or start reading the live reports...