Facts About The 2002 - 2015 B.B.C, Top Gear Series

Top Gear was a British BAFTA and EMMY award winning B.B.C T,V series, primarily about cars, which went on to become an entertainment program in it's own right, due to the charisma and humour of it's three presenters.

The original Top Gear was first launched in 1977 and ran until 2001, when it was taken off air due to low viewing figures.

The series was then re - launched in 2002 and went on to become one of the most viewed T.V programs in the world with an average 380 million viewers worldwide, until the sacking of  presenter Jeremy Clarkson, for striking a work colleague, in 2015.

The program has been seen in nearly every country of the world, with re - runs being shown on at least three British T.V stations at any one time.

The show has also been replicated in several countries, using the same format with three presenters, in several countries, including the U.S, Australia and Russia.

The show has been acclaimed for being a masterpiece of visual presentation, humour and general interest, even amongst those that have no interest in cars. 

Since it's re - launch and face lift in 2002 there have also been Christmas specials and Top Gear Challenges.

The program is renowned for it's regular features such as races, challenges, power laps, luxury car reviews, the Power Board, it’s Cool Wall and the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car. 

NOTE - So as not to upset the show’s millions of fans the three Top Gear presenters will go on to produce another  Top Gear style series, but known by a different name, in conjunction with Amazon Television. 

The B.B.C still plan to keep the show but with three new presenters.

TOP GEAR FACTS

Top Gear's re - launch was first aired in Great Britain on BBC 2 television on the 20th of October 2002 and was originally presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe.

The series used to be televised with a live audience in an aircraft hangar at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

Other features for the show were filmed at the Waverley Business Park, also in Surrey. 

At it’s height Top Gear  was televised on three British T.V channels all at the same time, on the B.B.C 2, B.B.C HD and DAVE.

Top Gear was distributed abroad by B.B.C Worldwide. 

THEME TUNE FACTS 

The iconic Top Gear theme tune is an electronic version of an instrumental called ‘Jessica’ which was arranged by British soundtrack composer Christian Henson.  

The original ‘Jessica’ was written by American guitarist Dickie Betts as a tribute to jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, although it was actually named after Betts’ daughter Jessica.   

The original ‘Jessica’ was performed by the American rock group the Allman Brothers Band in 1973 where it went on to reach number 65 in the American Billboard Hot 100. 

TEST TRACK FACTS

The location of it's test track is Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, a former Canadian  W.W.II air base.

The test track's seven corners were known as Crooner Corner, Willson Bend, Chicago, Hammerhead, Bentley Bend, Bacharach Bend and Gambon. 

The test track is 1.72 miles/ 2.82 km long.

The test track was designed for Top Gear by Lotus Cars.

The test track’s lap record was 0.59 seconds and performed by The Stig in a Renault R24 in 2004. 

THE STIG FACTS

The Stig has been a regular feature of Top Gear since 2002.

The Stig is the show's resident professional driver, whose anonomity is a closely guarded secret.

There have been three Stigs to date. The first was Perry McCarthy who wore all black and is known as The Black Stig. He appeared on the first twenty two episodes.

The second Stig was Ben Collins, who is known as the original White Stig. He appeared on the show from 2003 until he was sacked for revealing his identity in his autobiography in 2010. 

The Stig was the brainchild of series producer Andy Wilman, who along with presenter Jeremy Clarkson, named him after the name given to 'new boys' at their former college, Repton School, in Derbyshire.  

JEREMY CLARKSON FACTS  

Jeremy Clarkson, who is affectionately known as ' Clarkson ' in the show, was born on the 11th of April 1960 in Doncaster, Yorkshire. He is the alpha male of the trio and is renowned for his sarcastic humour and tongue - in - cheek remarks. Clarkson is 6ft 5 ins tall, making him one of the tallest people to work on British T.V.

After leaving Repton School in Derbyshire 

He began a career as a journalist and author and journalist by writing for his local newspaper.

He appears on T.V less than his two peers preferring instead to write for British newspapers and to write books, although he does make many guest appearances on topical panel shows.

He has been married twice and has three children, Emily, Katya and Finlo.

He originally appeared on Top Gear in 1988 until it's axe in 2001 and was one of the original presenters for it's re - launch in 2002.

Along with co - presenter James May, Jeremy is hailed as the first man to drive a car to the North when he made the ‘Polar Challenge’ for Top Gear in 2007. 

  

RICHARD HAMMOND FACTS

Richard Hammond, who is affectionately known as ' The Hamster ' in the show, was born on the 19th of December 1969 in Solihull in Warwickshire.  He is typified by his cheeky disposition and his cute good looks.

Hammond was educated at Harrogate College of Arts and Technology and has worked as an author, journalist, radio DJ and television presenter.

As well as Top Gear he is also known for his ‘Brainiac’ and ‘Wipeout’ T.V series and for his appearance in a series of Morrison's supermarket adverts.

He married Amanda Etheridge in 2002 and they have two daughters Isabella and Willow.

The family currently live in Gloucestershire.

Richard joined Top Gear as one of it's original presenters on it's re - launch in 2002.

He is probably best remembered for his near fatal accident in York on the 20th of September, 2006 whilst filming a race in a Vampire dragster for Top Gear. He crashed the dragster whilst travelling at 288 miles an hour and received serious head injuries, of which he has made a full recovery. 

  

JAMES MAY FACTS

James May, who is affectionately known as ' Captain Slow ' in the show, was born in Bristol on the 16th of January 1963. He is of a serious and sensible disposition, which often leads to ridicule from his fellow presenters, making him the show's amiable stooge and fall guy.

He is an alma mater of the University of Lancaster where he studied music. In 2010 they awarded him with an honorary Doctorate of Letters.

Of the show’s three presenters May is the one most seen on British T.V as he has made several science, wine, toy and music series.

May originally began his Top Gear career in 1999 until it's axe in 2001 and joined the present line up in 2003.

He presently lives in Hammersmith in London with his partner dance critic, Sarah Frater.

Along with co - presenter Jeremy Clarkson James is hailed as one of the first men to drive to the North Pole in a car, when he made the ‘Polar Challenge’ for Top Gear in 2007.