MPH - Top Gear Style Tribute to Richard Hammond
27 October 2006 Auto Trader’s Alex Eckford was at the show as Jeremy Clarkson and James May paid their unique tribute to The Hamster. Richard Hammond’s TV sparring partner James “Captain Slow” May looks at the crowd and pauses. Crash helmet in hands he is about to perform a stunt involving a shopping trolley, ten pin bowling and a Ford Mustang. "Well, if I do crash, I can sell my story to the Daily Mirror and make a fortune," says May thoughtfully before stowing his locks within the safety headgear.
"He's completely fine, but he did chip one of his teeth - and you know how much they cost." Hammond, seriously hurt in a high speed crash only a month ago was due to complete the trio of Top Gear stars on stage for the performance car spectacular. This week he gave his first interviews since the 300mph crash which left fans fearing the worst after he was rushed to Leeds Royal Infirmary. The 36-year-old star has stunned friends and family with an amazing recovery which culminated in his first post-crash interviews this week.
Top Gear style banter turned up to 11, the show unfolds with a fantasy line-up of There are a few fluffs – the Stig’s car breaks down - but the mistakes and missed cues fuel the show's best asset – the presenters' quick wit. Beyond the live arena there are great displays of cars, from Jaguars to Caterhams, while show-goers get the chance to change the tyres on an F1 car and drive a Land Rover over an obstacle course.
Talking exclusively to Auto Trader he said: "I really hope people come to the show - we've put a lot of work into it, and I think it's paid off." "Plus It's nice to be paid for something while Top Gear's off the air. “Tonight went pretty well, apart from all the mistakes. “Mind you, that's all we do with Top Gear. We set up the cameras, film a day of mistakes and go home." "Our biggest mistake was employing Richard Hammond." Auto Trader links Slide show: MPH'06 Auto Trader TV show presenters Mike Brewer and Edd China Top Gear star beats Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp
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Jeremy Clarkson can’t resist the cue.
At MPH ’06 even former Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell – now star of Fifth Gear - gets in on the act.
After the show we catch up with Jeremy Clarkson signing programmes for fans who seems happy with the final run-through.Page 1
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