Top Gear Polar Challenge Special

sujaylahiri · 28th July 2007, 10:46

Hi guys
How many of you guys saw the Top Gear Summer special, the challenge to the North Pole which was aired on BBC on the 25th of July 2007. In this special one off episode, Jeremy and James race with Richard in a race to the North Pole. They have to cover over 450 miles from Nunavut in Canada across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole. They wanted to prove that it's not that hard for North Pole explorers to use a car instead of a sledge, something which has never been done before.
While Jeremy and James had the "luxury" of a Toyota Hilux 2007 alongwith another Hilux and a Chevy Silverado for the camera crew, Richard simply had to be happy with a sledge and 10 dogs and his guide.
I won't spoil it for you guys by saying anymore, but I must say that it's the best made Top Gear special ever, way better than the American one they had few months back.
You can make this the discussion thread for the Top Gear Polar Challenge special, and discuss what you liked and didn't like about the show. And add some Jeremy bashing to make it more entertaining.
BBC - Top Gear - Homepage

sidharth_j · 29th July 2007, 22:29

Yep, saw it and it was FANTASTIC!. Quite simply, the best Top Gear special so far.
I downloaded the HD version (720p) from final gear, and the picture clarity was just awesome! You've just got to see it to understand why Top Gear is without doubt, the best television program on the planet, and not just that, the most viewed as well!.

But, i did feel sorry for Richard Hammod that he lost. What a brave man! Towards the end of the journey, you could see that he was totally spent as compared to the other two.
Also thought that 1 hour was too short for the program..maybe 90 mins would have been better...

Hopefully a brand new series would be around the corner for this fall to entertain us...

Rehaan · 30th July 2007, 02:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sujaylahiri

I won't spoil it for you guys by saying anymore,

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidharth_j

But, i did feel sorry for Richard Hammod that he lost.

That was shortlived

Atleast its not some murder mystery we are talking about, that would be

But thanks for the 720p tip... will download that now!

cya
R

vcash · 30th July 2007, 07:11

I want an ARCTIC TRUCK NOW!!!

Arctic Trucks

and Sujay - there was no silverado - Just the 2 red Hilux and a black LC Prado. Hammond's camera crew was on a snowmobile.

P.S. I am sure Ishan would appreciate these - Cost 2000 quid each!

tsk1979 · 30th July 2007, 09:47

There were 3 vehicles. One Hilux used by JC, a black LC, and another Red SuV which is used to tow out these guys.
I believe Hammond won, because if JC and James had been alone, they would have been stuck with a broken down car in the middle of nowhere.

highwayblaze · 30th July 2007, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

There were 3 vehicles. One Hilux used by JC, a black LC, and another Red SuV which is used to tow out these guys.
I believe Hammond won, because if JC and James had been alone, they would have been stuck with a broken down car in the middle of nowhere.

the other SUV was a Hilux as well.
I didnt see the Black LC though...hmm maybe i missed that part.

nitrous · 30th July 2007, 20:57

The hilux's engine is the same that comes in the fortuner.
A picture from this challenge will go a long way in marketing the fortuner/hilux!
I LLOVED the truck!
I want one for off-roading!

vcash · 30th July 2007, 21:36

GTI - Jezza and May's 3 truck convoy:

highwayblaze · 30th July 2007, 23:09

sigh man...those are such handsome looking vehicles. a nice lil diesel is soooo welcome.

thanks for the pic its now on my desktop at work!

esteem_lover · 31st July 2007, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidharth_j

Yep, saw it and it was FANTASTIC!. Quite simply, the best Top Gear special so far.

Sorry guys, for a moment i thought this was the palar challenge that our jeepers creepers do now & then,

ac 427 · 31st July 2007, 01:21

as we talk, the episode is being downloaded

. Adding to my already large collection of Top Gear Episodes.

cheers.

iraghava · 31st July 2007, 02:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcash

P.S. I am sure Ishan would appreciate these - Cost 2000 quid each!

Et tu Vcash!! Anyways will comment after I see the episode being discussed, it's being downloaded right now!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac 427

Adding to my already large collection of Top Gear Episodes.

While we are on the subject, let me show off a bit! I have the complete 9 seasons of modern Top Gear with me!

sujaylahiri · 31st July 2007, 06:40

My bad. The huge extended cab on the other Hilux made me think it was a Chevy. I didn't even notice the black one properly.
Anyway, I somehow get the feeling that Hammond never went all the way. They never showed him at the Pole. He was probably airlifted way before since he didn't look very good.

madan80 · 31st July 2007, 09:38

why cant BBC package and sell top gear on the dvd stores. BTW: have the vehicles been modified (like raised suspensions etc) for this race / challenge?

tsk1979 · 31st July 2007, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by madan80

why cant BBC package and sell top gear on the dvd stores. BTW: have the vehicles been modified (like raised suspensions etc) for this race / challenge?

Lots of things have to be changed, not just suspensions and tires.
For example extra thick sump guards, engine mountings, ECU recalibration...

28th July 2007, 10:46	#1
sujaylahiri BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North America Posts: 960 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Top Gear Polar Challenge Special Hi guys How many of you guys saw the Top Gear Summer special, the challenge to the North Pole which was aired on BBC on the 25th of July 2007. In this special one off episode, Jeremy and James race with Richard in a race to the North Pole. They have to cover over 450 miles from Nunavut in Canada across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole. They wanted to prove that it's not that hard for North Pole explorers to use a car instead of a sledge, something which has never been done before. While Jeremy and James had the "luxury" of a Toyota Hilux 2007 alongwith another Hilux and a Chevy Silverado for the camera crew, Richard simply had to be happy with a sledge and 10 dogs and his guide. I won't spoil it for you guys by saying anymore, but I must say that it's the best made Top Gear special ever, way better than the American one they had few months back. You can make this the discussion thread for the Top Gear Polar Challenge special, and discuss what you liked and didn't like about the show. And add some Jeremy bashing to make it more entertaining. BBC - Top Gear - Homepage Last edited by sujaylahiri : 28th July 2007 at 10:49.
	() Thanks

29th July 2007, 22:29	#2
sidharth_j BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 139 Thanked: 36 Times View My Garage	Yep, saw it and it was FANTASTIC!. Quite simply, the best Top Gear special so far. I downloaded the HD version (720p) from final gear, and the picture clarity was just awesome! You've just got to see it to understand why Top Gear is without doubt, the best television program on the planet, and not just that, the most viewed as well!. But, i did feel sorry for Richard Hammod that he lost. What a brave man! Towards the end of the journey, you could see that he was totally spent as compared to the other two. Also thought that 1 hour was too short for the program..maybe 90 mins would have been better... Hopefully a brand new series would be around the corner for this fall to entertain us...
	() Thanks

30th July 2007, 07:11	#4
vcash BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 453 Thanked: 22 Times	I want an ARCTIC TRUCK NOW!!! Arctic Trucks and Sujay - there was no silverado - Just the 2 red Hilux and a black LC Prado. Hammond's camera crew was on a snowmobile. P.S. I am sure Ishan would appreciate these - Cost 2000 quid each! Last edited by vcash : 30th July 2007 at 07:16.
	() Thanks

30th July 2007, 09:47	#5
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,718 Thanked: 22,833 Times View My Garage	There were 3 vehicles. One Hilux used by JC, a black LC, and another Red SuV which is used to tow out these guys. I believe Hammond won, because if JC and James had been alone, they would have been stuck with a broken down car in the middle of nowhere.
	() Thanks

30th July 2007, 20:57	#7
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	The hilux's engine is the same that comes in the fortuner. A picture from this challenge will go a long way in marketing the fortuner/hilux! I LLOVED the truck! I want one for off-roading!
	() Thanks

30th July 2007, 21:36	#8
vcash BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 453 Thanked: 22 Times	GTI - Jezza and May's 3 truck convoy:
	() Thanks

30th July 2007, 23:09	#9
highwayblaze BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago/Mumbai/Pune Posts: 771 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	sigh man...those are such handsome looking vehicles. a nice lil diesel is soooo welcome. thanks for the pic its now on my desktop at work!
	() Thanks

31st July 2007, 01:21	#11
ac 427 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,393 Thanked: 244 Times View My Garage	as we talk, the episode is being downloaded . Adding to my already large collection of Top Gear Episodes. cheers.
	() Thanks

31st July 2007, 06:40	#13
sujaylahiri BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North America Posts: 960 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	My bad. The huge extended cab on the other Hilux made me think it was a Chevy. I didn't even notice the black one properly. Anyway, I somehow get the feeling that Hammond never went all the way. They never showed him at the Pole. He was probably airlifted way before since he didn't look very good.
	() Thanks

31st July 2007, 09:38	#14
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	why cant BBC package and sell top gear on the dvd stores. BTW: have the vehicles been modified (like raised suspensions etc) for this race / challenge?
	() Thanks