by Ben Collins
BMW 635 test 171, 172, 174
BMW M3 test 189–90
Britcar race, 24-hour 268, 270, 272
bus race 288, 289, 290
car football 216, 217, 218
Cessna flight over Alps 196, 197
Citroën 24-hour race, Snetterton 92, 93
Classic Rally of Mallorca 178, 179
jet car accident 233–42
Kew to City airport race 254
Tom Cruise and 319
Top Gear Live 223, 224, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232
Harrier Jump Jet 2, 67, 103–5
Harris, Andy 282, 283, 294
Harris, Ed 257
Harvey, Tim 216
Hawkins, Justin 156
Hayle, David 39
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 239, 241
helicopter, filming from a 183–5, 186, 296
Hellbender jet car 236
Henson, Franky 260
Hewitt, James 155
Higgins, Mark 283, 284, 285
Hill, Damon 62, 153, 157, 264
Hill, Graham 25
Honda 41
Hoosiers 236
Howard, Steve 192, 269, 272, 294, 299
Huff, Rob 216
Hughes, Warren 39
Hynes, Marc 31, 38
Inch, Rob 255–6
Indianapolis 52
Indy Lights 41
Indycar Racing 41, 60–3, 318
Invincible, HMS 67
Irish Formula Ford 35
Isle of Man 173–5
Izzard, Eddie 148
Jackal 293
Jaguar:
XF 310
XJ6 TDVI 301
XJS 15, 16, 67, 171, 172
XKR 77–80, 159, 238, 239, 322
Jamiroquai 161–2
jet car test 233–42
Joiner, Ben 175, 176, 179, 189, 200, 303
karting 12, 21–2, 23–30
Kemp, Martin 71
Kershaw, Gavan 69
Kew Gardens and London City airport, fastest method of transport between 253–4
Kia C’eed 319–23
Kidd, Jodie 105
Klein, Brian 109–10, 187–8, 193
Koenigsegg CCX 204–9
Koenigsegg, Christian von 204, 205, 209, 210, 211
Lake Garda, Italy 277
Lakeland Speedway, Florida 273–4
Lamborghini 196, 317
Gallardo 560-4 Spyder 192–4, 247
Murcielago 110
Lammers, Jan 154
land speed record, British 235
Lawrence, T. E. v
Le Mans 24, 77, 174, 188, 205, 234, 265, 316, 318
1953 46–7
1997 43–4
2001 47–53, 55
2002 59–60
Arnage 44
Dunlop bridge 49
Dunlop chicane 43
Esses 43
Mulsanne straight 44, 49, 50, 52, 53
Porsche Curves 44
Tertre Rouge 44, 49
Lexus 266
Leyton, Neil 244, 247
Livingstone, Ken 287
Llewelyn-Bowen, Laurence 304
Lola Honda Prototype 318
London Marathon 131
Lotus 12, 31–3, 69
Evora 309
Lumley, Joanna 156
Lupberger, Werner 44, 45, 46, 57, 59, 60
Lydden Hill 27, 287–91
MacArthur, Ellen 152–3
Malaga 188–94
Mall car chase 281–6
Mallock, Ray 81
Mansell, Nigel 39, 78, 153–5, 156, 157, 158
Maranello, Italy 213
Marlboro Masters World Series 41
Maserati 244
Massa, Felipe 183–4
Mastiff armoured vehicle 293, 295
May, Iain 178, 179, 181, 183, 184, 185, 186, 192, 197, 283–4, 296, 311, 317
May, James:
Alps race 196, 197
Audi RS4 test 190
Basel to Blackpool economy race 304, 305
Britcar race, 24-hour 268, 270, 271, 272, 273
car football 216, 218
Classic Rally of Mallorca 178, 179, 180
Harrier Jump Jet vs Saab and 103
Jaguar XJS test 171, 172
jet car, possibility of driving 233–4
Kew Gardens to City airport race 254
parachuting into moving Mercedes CLK55, presents feature 142, 143
Tom Cruise and 319
Top Gear Live 223, 224, 231, 232
McCarthy, Perry 66, 67
McGregor, Ewan 145
McKenna, Paul 131–2
McLaren 233, 267, 275
McNab, Andy 63
McQueen, Steve 319
McRae, Colin 61
Mercedes:
C63 162, 188, 189, 190, 191
CLK55 139–43
CLK63 Black 185–8, 298
E Class 277
S Class 255, 256, 258, 259, 261–2
SL 105
Mexico Grand Prix, 1990 154
Michelin tyres 59
Miles, Pete 260
Millbrook alpine handling track 171–3
Miller, Sienna 145
Ministry of Defence 81, 293
Mitsubishi 39
Evo 7 293–9
Starion 171
Mont Blanc tunnel 200
Montoya, Juan Pablo 39
Motor Sports Association 271
Motorsport News 26
Mullen, Tim 35
NASA 177
NASCAR 55, 60, 61, 62, 81–2, 123, 174, 236, 265, 273, 312, 318
National TV Awards 315
Navman 230–1
Neal, Matt 216, 218, 219
Need for Speed 161
Needell, Tiff 78, 79–80, 231
Newman, Paul 57
News of the World 307
Nissan GTR 161
Noble M12 supercar 108
Ojai Valley swim team 17–18
Oliver, Jamie 159–60
Oulton Park 23
Outen, Denise Van 145
Pagani Zonda 209–10, 211
Panther advanced command vehicle 293, 295
parachute jump into a moving Mercedes CLK55 139–43
Parachute Regiment 63, 103–4
Paul Stewart Racing (PSR) 31–2, 36
Pen Y Fan 119
Petty, Lee 56
Phil (director) 179, 180, 183, 184, 189, 283, 284, 286, 294, 296, 297, 298, 299
Pinewood Studios 254, 255
Piquet, Nelson 58
Pirelli 213
Plato, Jason 61, 273
police 175, 176, 198, 305
Porsche 47, 69, 179
456 44
911 68–71, 201
911 Carrera GT 110–12
911 Carrera S 173, 174–5
911 GT 52
911 GT2 43
Porter, Richard 188
Powell, Gary 255
Price, Katie 146
Proctor, Mark 61
Quantum of Solace 278, 279
‘Racing Reverend’, Anthony 91, 92
Radio Times 307
RAF 16, 236
RAF Bentwaters, Suffolk 140–4
Ramsay, Gordon 156, 159, 160, 161
Range Rover 175, 176, 178, 181, 258, 261, 262, 301
reasonably priced car, star in a 71, 106–10, 143–4, 145–69, 313, 319–23
Red Bull 273, 274, 315–16
Reid, Anthony 289, 290
Renault Clio 304
Renton, Alex 197
Richie, Lionel 152, 153, 155
Rockingham 60–3, 81–5, 123, 133–5, 318
Rogers Lake, USA 177–8
Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, 2002 55–6
Rolls-Royce 236
Routemaster bus 287–91
Rover SDI 13, 15
Rowley 257, 259, 260, 262
Royal Irish Regiment 63
Royal Marines 63, 103–4, 130, 285
Royal Navy 103
Saab 9-5 Aero 103, 104–5<
br />
Sandhurst 63
SAS 143
Sato, Takuma 41, 42, 110
Sauber 183, 184–5
Schumacher, Michael 39, 42, 124, 154, 278, 308–13
Scott, Ridley 216
Sebring, 12 Hours of 55, 57–9
Senna, Ayrton 22, 32, 39, 154
Silverstone 19–21, 39, 265–73, 315–16
Becketts 266
Bridge Corner 267
Brooklands 266, 267
Copse 21, 266, 268
Hangar straight 270, 272
Maggots 267
Stowe 266, 267, 272
Simone, Raffaele de 213
Simpkiss, Nigel 176, 197, 199, 201
Slater, Christian 145
Smith, Brian 39, 41, 46, 51
Smith, Guy 52, 53
Smith, Quentin 296
Snetterton, Norfolk 29, 91–3
Soul, David 155
Spa, Belgium 41, 188
Special Air Service Regiment, 21st 64, 73–5
Stewart, Paul 31
Stewart, Sir Jackie 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38
Stig, The:
accidents/crashes 208–10
Alonso as 254
anonymity of 66–8, 254, 263–4, 307–13, 315, 325
Aston Martin 8 Vantage/BMW M6/Carrera S test 173–5
Aston Martin DBS test 279–80
Audi R8 test 316, 317
Basel to Blackpool economy race 301–5
Ben Collins auditions for role as 1–9
Ben Collins leaves role as 325
Black Stig 66, 67, 69, 110, 153, 161
blind drivers of reasonably
priced car and 163–9
BMW M3/Audi RS4/Mercedes-Benz C63 test 188–94
Britcar race, 24-hour 265–73
Bugatti Veyron test 195–202, 203–4
bus race 287–91
celebrity guests and 68, 71, 105–10, 131–2, 143–4, 145–62, 308–13, 319–23
Cessna vs Bugatti race over Alps 196
Citroën 24-hour race, Snetterton 91–3
Classic Rally of Mallorca 178–82
Corvette ZR1 test 316
Evo 7, British Army vs 293–9
Ferrari 430 test 211–13, 278–9
Flüelapass, Switzerland 185–8
football match, car 215–19, 228, 229, 289
Formula 1 drivers and 153–5, 183–5, 308–13
GPS satellite-controlled automatic 330i 219–20
Harrier vs Saab 103–5
helicopter, filming from a 183–5, 186
jet car test, role in 233–42
Kew Gardens and London City
airport race 253–4
Koenigsegg CCX test 204–9
lap record 110–12 see also reasonably priced car
Mall car chase 281–6
media attention over identity of 66, 263, 307–8, 315
merchandising 304
Mitsubishi Starion/Jaguar XJS/BMW 635 test 171–3
National TV Award, collects 315
parachute jump into a moving
Mercedes CLK55 139–43
paranormal abilities 67
Perry McCarthy revealed as 66, 67
pictures of 264
reasonably priced car and 71, 106–10, 143–4, 145–69, 313, 319–23
Schumacher as 308–13
Top Gear, Series 3 65–71, 91–3, 103–12
Top Gear, Series 4 131–2, 139–44, 146, 152
Top Gear, Series 5 147–8
Top Gear, Series 6 149–50, 171–6
Top Gear, Series 7 148–9, 150–1, 152–5, 195–202
Top Gear, Series 8 155–8, 159–60, 204–11, 215–19, 233–42
Top Gear, Series 10 160, 185–94, 219–20, 253–4, 265–75
Top Gear, Series 11 161–2, 211–13
Top Gear, Series 12 203–4, 281–6, 287–91, 301–5
Top Gear, Series 13 160–1, 178–82, 293–9, 308–13
Top Gear, Series 14 316–17
Top Gear, Series 15 319–23 Top Gear Live 77–80, 221–32
White Suit 67
Zonda test 209–11
Subaru:
Impreza 298
Legacy Diesel 301
Sunday Times 67
Supacat 293
Suzuki Liana 106–10, 145–55, 156–8, 161, 163–9, 309
Svenson, Brian 22, 23
Swift, Russ 216, 217, 218, 228
Texaco 123, 124, 133–5
Texaco Trophy 99, 123
Toivonen, Harri 48, 49
Top Gear:
accidents/crashes on 208–10, 212–13
Aston Martin DBS test 279–80
Aston Martin 8 Vantage/BMW M6/Carrera S test 173–5
Audi R8 test 316, 317
Basel to Blackpool economy race 301–5
Ben Collins auditions for 1–9
Black Stig 66, 67, 69, 110, 153, 161
blind drivers of reasonably
priced car 163–9
BMW M3/Audi RS4/Mercedes-Benz C63 test 188–94
Britcar race, 24-hour 265–73
Bugatti Veyron test 195–202, 203–4
bus race 287–91
camera crew, bravery of 111–12, 171, 172, 178
celebrity guests 68, 71, 105–10, 131–2, 143–4, 145–62, 308–13, 319–23
Cessna vs Bugatti race over Alps 196
Citroën 24-hour race, Snetterton 91–3
Classic Rally of Mallorca 178–82
Corvette ZR1 test 316
Evo 7, British Army vs 293–9
Ferrari 430 test 211–13, 278–9
Flüelapass, Switzerland 185–8
football match, car 215–19, 228, 229, 289
Formula 1 drivers on 153–5, 183–5, 308–13
GPS satellite-controlled
automatic BMW 330i 219–20
Harrier vs Saab 103–5
helicopter, filming from a 183–5, 186
jet car test 233–42
Kew Gardens and London City
airport race 253–4
Koenigsegg CCX test 204–9
lap record 110–12 see also reasonably priced car
Mall car chase 281–6
Mitsubishi Starion/Jaguar XJS/
BMW 635 test 171–3
National TV Award 315
parachute jump into a moving Mercedes CLK55 139–43
presenters see under individual presenter name
reasonably priced car, star in 71, 106–10, 143–4, 145–69, 313, 319–23
Series 3 65–71, 91–3, 103–12
Series 4 131–2, 139–44, 146, 152
Series 5 147–8
Series 6 149–50, 171–6
Series 7 148–9, 150–1, 152–5, 195–202
Series 8 155–8, 159–60, 204–11, 215–19, 233–42
Series 10 160, 185–94, 253–4, 265–75
Series 11 161–2, 211–13
Series 12 203–4, 281–6, 287–91, 301–5
Series 13 160–1, 178–82, 293–9, 308–13
Series 14 316–17
Series 15 319–23
speed record on HMS Invincible 67
Stig and see Stig, The
Top Gear Live 77–80, 221–32
track 2–3
Chicago 5, 7, 167, 208
Follow Through 5, 69, 145, 150, 157, 168, 206, 208, 211, 220, 311, 320, 321
Gambon 168
Hammerhead 3, 5, 6, 7, 69, 132, 145, 162, 168, 206, 207, 208, 275, 313
truffle from Italy to England, transporting a 196
viewing figures 66, 231, 307
worldwide audience 178, 231–2, 307
Zonda test 209–11
Top Gear Live 77–80, 221–32
Top Gear magazine 263–4, 310
touring car racing 215
Toyota Aygo 216, 217, 218, 219
track, Top Gear 2–3
Chicago 5, 7, 167, 208
Follow Through 5, 69, 145, 150, 157, 168, 206, 208, 211, 220, 311, 320, 321
G
ambon 168
Hammerhead 3, 5, 6, 7, 69, 132, 145, 162, 168, 206, 207, 208, 275, 313
Trickle, Dick 274
Trojan tank 293, 295
Turner, Darren 39
Vampire jet car 233–42, 272
Vauxhall
Monaro ‘Ute’ 225–6, 281
Vectra 261
Vauxhall Junior Championship 31
Vegas, Johnny 152
Vettel, Sebastian 315
Villeneuve, Gilles 22
Volkswagen 196, 198, 200, 201
Polo Bluemotion 301
Touareg 262–3
Wahlberg, Mark 145
Wakeman, Rick 155–6
Wales 73–5, 116
Walliams, David 150–1
Wardrop, Grant 153, 157, 162, 181, 182, 233, 234, 235, 237, 315, 322
Watkins, Sid 241
Webber, Mark 39, 40, 110, 153, 275, 315
Welch, Madison 179, 180, 181
White, Colin 133, 134
White, Colonel 100
Whiteley, Richard 163, 165, 166, 167
Wilkinson, Jonny 131
Williams 233
Willis, Bruce 196
Wilman, Andy 69, 77, 174, 175, 188, 197, 285
Ben Collins audition for Stig, role in 3–9, 65, 66
damage to cars, reaction to 209
Ferrari 430 Scuderia test and 278
jet car accident and 238
Kew Gardens to City Airport
race and 253, 254
Koenigsegg CCX test and 209, 211–12, 213
parachute jump into moving Mercedes CLK55, reaction to
idea of 139
reasonably priced car, filming of 71, 108, 156, 157, 161, 163, 164, 166, 319
revamp of Top Gear, role in 66
Stig’s anonymity and 68, 307, 311
Top Gear Live 78, 79
Wilson, Justin 31, 33, 38, 58, 59
Wiseman, Jim 66, 67, 69, 70
Bugatti Veyron test, involvement in 197
Koenigsegg CCX test, involvement in 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 210, 211
lap record and 110, 111
parachute jump into a moving Mercedes CLK55, involvement in 141, 142
star in a reasonably priced bar
feature, involvement in 106, 107, 108, 109, 146, 151, 152, 154, 155, 157, 158
Wogan, Terry 166, 167, 168
Woodley, Mark 236
World Sportscar Championship, FIA 44–6
Wright, Ian 155
X-1 177
Yeager, Chuck 177
Zandvoort 41, 188
Zwart, Klaas 44, 51, 59, 188, 191, 243
All plate section images photographs are courtesy of the author with the following exceptions:
Marc Serota (MarcSerota.com), p2 (upper-middle left and bottom left); Peter May (pmimages.net), p3 (upper-middle left); Kelly Racing, p3 (bottom); Chris Leavers (www.capturedindigital.co.uk), p3 (bottom inset); Rod Fountain, p6 (bottom), p11 (top left), p12, p13 (middle and bottom), p14 (middle left and bottom left), p16 (top and middle); Algenon Brinton (www.algybrinton.com), p8 (bottom), p9 (middle left and bottom); Andy Ford (www.infiniteskydiving.co.uk), p9 (top left); Chris Doney, p10 (bottom left and bottom right)