The making of Top Gear Live

With the first Top Gear Live show kicking off in Birmingham on Friday, here's a digital backstage pass so you can see what has been going on at rehearsals.

Our man on the inside, Rowland French, is the executive producer of Top Gear Live and has been tweeting action from the NEC as the cars lay down some trial-run rubber. As you’d expect, the typical Top Gear ambition mixed with a healthy dose of carnage and potential disaster
(full show details are here).

Don’t forget that tickets are still available for Birmingham 11-13 November, and London 24-27: http://www.topgearlive.co.uk/

Shane and Sabine take a quiet moment…

Usually found on sand. Currently found at the Birmingham NEC

Yes, those are radio-controlled mice. All will become clear at the show.

Yes, that is a moped chariot. All will become clear at the show.

Yes, those are dancing JCB diggers. All will become clear at the show.

You can’t hear the tyre-screech. Trust us, it’s there.

James experiments with voice-controlled disco lights.

Out of shot: dinner.

@RowlandFrench “A corner of the new indoor track at Top Gear Live takes more shape”

@RowlandFrench “What would you get if you put an engine in the Top Gear set? Get along to Top Gear Live  to find out”

@RowlandFrench "The last day of rehearsal for Top Gear Live comes to an end and 19 cars head off for last minute mods and repairs".

@RowlandFrench "These three wheelers for Top Gear Live are just brilliant!!"

@RowlandFrench "Getting stuck in to our Morgan three wheeler driving sequence for Top Gear Live".

@RowlandFrench "Top Gear Live track finally resembling something track like..."

@RowlandFrench "Top Gear Live track at the NEC takes shape".

@RowlandFrench "This is how all stunt driving sequences at Top Gear Live begin. It's easier on fuel and tyres..."

@RowlandFrench "Think we can handbrake an RS500 through here? Get to Top Gear Live  and prepare to either wince or clap".

@RowlandFrench "Freestyle jumping beefeaters! It makes more sense when you see the show".

@RowlandFrench "Biggest ever Ford Focus RS stunt driving sequence for Top Gear Live".

@RowlandFrench "Aston Martin V12 Vantage, doing what it does best - circles! (should I worry Top Gear Live is becoming one dimensional?)"

@RowlandFrench "Our now infamous Evo Taxi doing what it does best - circles!"

@RowlandFrench "Newly designed flaming rally cars at rehearsals for Top Gear Live".

@RowlandFrench "First day of rehearsals for the new Top Gear Live show".

@RowlandFrench "Corner of the Top Gear Live warehouse as requested. Thieves not welcome".

To keep up on all the backstage action from Top Gear Live, follow Rowland on Twitter (@RowlandFrench).