Top Gear accident at Elvington

Post by **Garry Russell** » 22 Sep 2006, 11:49

They certainly did

Something like this is dangerous and that is the excitment.

So it needs to be geared up to any incident that may occur.

And everyone did indeed do a great job.

Garry

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 22 Sep 2006, 11:50

A Leeds General Infirmary spokesman said: "Doctors say Richard Hammond is making satisfactory progress.

"This morning he has been moved from intensive care on to a high dependency unit.

"His condition has been downgraded from 'serious but stable' to 'stable'."

Post by **Garry Russell** » 22 Sep 2006, 11:52

Fantasic result given the circumstances.

Great news

Garry

Post by **DaveB** » 22 Sep 2006, 12:01

I saw Quentin Wilson being interviewed briefly on the day of the accident and he said that the BBC are very much 'Health and Safety' orientated for this sort of thing but the simple fact is that driving a vehicle at that speed pushes the boundaries a little (and fair comment). There is always going to be a risk and the best you can do is minimise it as best you can

I don't know what sort of driving qualifications Richard has but considering his job (one of them) is presenting a 'Driving' programme, I'd imagine his vehicle control far exceeds that of most of us here (professionals excepted) and in reality, all he had to do was hang on to the darned thing in a straight line. Seems dead simple doesn't it but the accident has proven otherwise. Speed is obviously the main factor but that was the whole point of the exercise :roll:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Tom Everitt AFG · Post by **Tom Everitt AFG** » 22 Sep 2006, 12:57

I have to say in my experience the BBC are extremely H&S orientated. We recently had a Rapide filmed by them for a new series and the risk assessment I had to fill in extended to several pages and covered just about every eventuality, including potential exposure to cryogenics :k:

Personally, the only time Iâ€™d wish to be strapped to an Orpheus is if there are wings attached!

Tom.

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 22 Sep 2006, 13:04

From what little I've been able to find, it seems the loss of control is related to an asymmetric deployment of the braking chutes. Once you cut the power and pull the chutes, there is really little you can do as the drag created by them greatly overpowers any steering control you may have. There have been several drag racer crashes here in the US for the same reason. It's one of the problems with having a dual chute system, especially on a vehicle like the one he was driving where the chutes are placed well off the centerline of the vehicle.

Stewart Pearson · Post by **Stewart Pearson** » 22 Sep 2006, 23:37

Nigel H-J wrote:Just look at Andy Green who broke the Land Speed Record at over 700mph, he was not a trained driver of fast cars but an RAF pilot!!!!! So what is the difference I ask??!!!!

Nigel the difference is that;

a) Andy Green trained long and hard in the vehicle before making his attempt. Richard Noble who built the car, has indeed today expressed his incredulity at this incident and highlighted these very differences between Green and Hammonds' experience levels.

b) He (due to his fast jet expereience) is used to travelling on the ground at very high speeds. There must be a vast difference between driving at 100 mph and attempting to drive at 300 mph.

I stand corrected on the fact that Mr Hammond has a racing licence. So do I. Doesn't mean I'm in any way experienced enough or qualified enough to go out and tackle this task.

I have no doubt Mr Hammond is a popular TV presenter as has been stated. This unfortunately is no guarantee against making a stupid mistake nor a foolhardy decision.

2 things emerged through media sources today, which I did find interesting. One was from a respected Motoring Journalist who highlighted the "several" occasions when his proposed road tests have had to be postponed by vehicle manufacturers, after the said test vehicle had been "trashed" by the Top Gear team. Thrashing vehicles to destruction is not a road test it is nothing more than stupid loutish behaviour (no doubt lead by the Arch idiot Clarkson) which can be of absolutely no benefit whatsover to someone interested in perhaps purchasing a vehicle and looking for some guidance.

The second item which caught my eye was a report alleging that the production team on Top Gear had not informed the BBC bosses of this proposed "stunt".

Now I accept that some folks don't want to hear these sorts of things, but hey guys that is what a forum is about. It allows us all to express an opinion.

Ben thanks for the apology. I am sure it was a misunderstanding on my part.

Cheers

Stewart

Post by **DaveB** » 23 Sep 2006, 00:43

I have no intention of standing on anyones feet here but those are all valid points Stewart (as are those of Chris Trott who posted before you)

Speed is obviously the main contributary factor to the outcome of the accident here whether you have a racing licence or fly fast jets. An F1 driver.. even on the fastest circuits will not be close to 280/300mph (or however fast the jetcar was doing) but their reactions will be such that their response will be better placed to deal with a problem.. however uncontrollable the car may have been. The main difference would be that in an F1 car, the driver may have been able to walk away.. due in no small part to the current regulations and the millions of pounds/dollars spent in research to make the vehicle comply with these regulations. It all remains speculation but cast your minds back to Donald Campbell and Bluebird. Here was an experienced speed record holder and yet even he had no control over the last, fateful record attempt. There are times when, as CT's post illustrated, no matter how much experience a pilot/driver may have.. once a sequence of events begin, there is little anyone can do to stop it.

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Hot_Charlie · Post by **Hot_Charlie** » 23 Sep 2006, 11:30

Stewart Pearson wrote:
Nigel H-J wrote:Just look at Andy Green who broke the Land Speed Record at over 700mph, he was not a trained driver of fast cars but an RAF pilot!!!!! So what is the difference I ask??!!!!
Nigel the difference is that;

a) Andy Green trained long and hard in the vehicle before making his attempt. Richard Noble who built the car, has indeed today expressed his incredulity at this incident and highlighted these very differences between Green and Hammonds' experience levels.

Indeed - Andy Green beat a lot of people to become Thrust SSC's driver - and that group included a lot of professional racing drivers, with various mental and driving taskd. IIRC, on the set of aptitude tests they all took, he got one of the highest scores ever recorded.

Charlie Bravo · Post by **Charlie Bravo** » 23 Sep 2006, 13:38

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006440317,00.html