Review: Top Gear Live at Birmingham NEC
From the rev of the engines, to the smell of burnt rubber, to the array of exotic supercars – it is nothing short of a motorhead's paradise.
Thousands descended on Birmingham's NEC for the first day of Top Gear Live yesterday.
Anyone with a shred of interest in cars couldn't help but be absorbed by the excitement of it all.
Visitors were able to get close to flash cars such as the beautiful Jaguar Sport XJR-15 and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. They could have their picture taken on the Top Gear sofa, test nerves in driving simulators and compete in electric car racing games and driving computer games.
But, predictably, it was the cheeky and mischievous antics of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in the main live show that proved most popular.
Making their entrance on a stage powered with a V8 engine, the silliness began immediately.
"Who would like to see me do a doughnut?," said Clarkson. "Ye" shouted a few enthusiastic lads in the crowd.
May was then slated for buying a yellow Ferrari 458 before discussing progress on the new series and Christmas special, which, to the dismay of the presenters, will be shown in February.
One highlight was a James Bond-themed Aston Martin display to celebrate the launch of the new film, which featured a woman hanging from the ceiling in a flesh coloured bodysuit.
Hammond uses) a BMW to propel Fiestas containing Clarkson and May into a row of scrap cars. "This is a stupid game", complained Clarkson.
The show runs until Sunday.
By David Lumb
