2006-09-24 02:48:25 · 17 answers · asked by djbulit 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
He going much too fast in an unstable, exposed vehicle, and thats all there is to know.
How many times have we seen Hammond himself driving on public roads and, turning to the camera with that boyish, wolfish grin, say something like "This car can lose your licence in under four seconds"?
Well we now know that car can also kill you in under 4 seconds.
Top Gear may make for entertaining telly - but can anybody doubt that there is a connection between the brainless lust for speed that Top Gear encourages in our national culture and the front page story in the Daily Mail about the junior doctor Margaret Davidson aged 26 years who was killed by a senselessly speeding teenager?
Neil Lyndon writes: "I wonder why on earth Hammond was allowed behind the wheel of the Viper drag car in the first place. But piloting a jet-propelled dragster is not the remotely the same thing as making the tyres screech on a road-going Porsche.
We don't know how much training Hammond might have done for this attempt but controlling a car that can accelerate from 0-250 mph in five seconds is not an ability you can pick up by reading the handbook.
By the way a Motor Sport Licence means nothing at this level.
It requires disciplined training, supreme fitness and a fighter pilot's mental capacity to process physical sensation and translate it into appropriate responses. Thought and action must fuse seamlessly as one in the few seconds of a dragster's run.
It is enlightening to compare Hammond and the lardy Top Gear lads (with their incorrigible cult of drinking and smoking) with Andy Green, the holder of the world's 763 mph land speed record who recently achieved another record with 350mph in a diesel car.
Nobody could possibly meet Andy Green without being impressed by his seriousness. Not only is he the RAF's top instructor for fighter pilots but he is also the perfect embodiment of the Corinthian ideal - lean to the bone, as fit as a race horse, sober, gentle and self-effacing. He stands for everything the Top Gear gang would despise - including his habit of driving slowly on public roads.
The show actively delights in driving cars as recklessly as possible. Is it any wonder, then, that so many young drivers are tempted to follow suit?
This is not just irresponsible, it is a criminal waste of public money. For how can it be right that the Government spends millions of pounds of taxpayers' money on advertising the dangers of breaking the speed limit, with those haunting images of children knocked down by speeding cars, and then the BBC uses public funds to make a programme that promotes the exact opposite mentality? It beggars belief.
So the only good thing that could be said for Richard Hammond's terrible accident is that it might stop the folly of Top Gear in its tracks, before it can endanger any more lives."
Richard Hammond had a Choice.
Dr Margaret Davidson aged 26 years hit and killed by a Joy Rider, the antics of which Richard Hammond and Top Gear encourage, didn't.
2006-09-26 14:11:59 · answer #1 · answered by Hebrew Hammer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Despite what anyone might say, Richard Hammond is a true pioneer. Going at speeds of 300mph and more is totally uncharted territory. Tyre manufacturers don't even yet understand how a tyre behaves at such speeds. The problem is phenomenal centrifugal force. In my opinion, they should never have used "car" tyres, be it of the racing variety. Why on earth they didn't use aircraft wheels and tyres is beyond me...
Ultimately an experience like this makes you a stronger person and I wouldn't be surprised if he attempts the record soon again!
2006-09-24 06:17:24 · answer #2 · answered by mercyam01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the top gear producers (not Hammond himself, he generally seems to have an enquiring mind) are just old fossils and weren't interested in supporting a professional British land speed record team with a Bluebird vehicle that should do 350-400mph, see http://www.speedace.info/bluebird_electric_3.htm;
likely reason, it's not noisy & smelly enough for "real" men;
they can't understand that fossil fueled vehicles are not the best design avaiable; also they don't want to upset the manufacturers who place big full page ads in BBC mags, and send them on lots of jollys.
2006-09-24 06:00:23 · answer #3 · answered by fred 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a mild change in the auto he used this time circular tho, i'm certain he is not going to go in a type of drag automobiles again that go up to about 300mph!! All the guys in high equipment run the threat of crashing. So no i do not feel he's stupid I believe he's brave......
2016-08-09 15:04:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he just went out of control - go a search on Auntie beebs website for the full story. Read Jeremy Clarkson too. I just happen to have the link to his article on timesonline in my clipboard!
Visit my site while you are surfing. Great little video of a concept car matched against a Ferrari and a Porsche! Plus loads of other stuff - click an advert to help pay for the site! LOL
2006-09-24 02:53:38 · answer #5 · answered by Mike10613 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there's a reasonable distinction interior the vehicle he used this time around tho, i'm effective he won't bypass in one in all those drag vehicles back that bypass as much as approximately 300mph!! each and all of the lads in suitable kit run the possibility of crashing. So no i do no longer think of he's stupid i think of he's courageous......
2016-10-17 21:21:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently the car had two chutes to slow it down at the end of the run.
Only one of them opened which pulled it over to one side and onto the grass this flipped it over and the roll cage sunk into the grass and his head came into contact with the ground - big time.
RoyS
2006-09-24 02:58:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The crash is still being investigated but it looks like it was a burst tyre
2006-09-24 02:57:23 · answer #8 · answered by angelina.rose 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He had already done 1 Run (Exceeding 200MPH)
The second time it is believed he went for the Land-speed-record.
He lost control (Still unknown what happened) and Veered Adversely to the right of the runway.
Where the vehicle buried its nose in the grass(Tumbled),and it ended right there!
Thank Goodness he is doing well!(Considering!!)
2006-09-24 02:53:48 · answer #9 · answered by J. Charles 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Still investigating, but film footage shows a tyre bursting!
2006-09-24 02:55:58 · answer #10 · answered by Absie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋