By Karan Singh

StreetFire.net

Watch as Top Gear attempts to send the Robin into space…

Top Gear Season 9 Episode 4 2007 Reliant Robin

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

Shaun White has nothing on Tanner Foust. After all, he only competes in TWO disciplines, snowboarding and skateboarding. Meanwhile Foxy Tan Tan (as we like to call him) is a regular threat for a podium in drifting, rally (including the X Games), the International Race of Champions and time attack just to name a few motorsports. Let’s not forget he’s the host of Supercars Exposed and he was this close to being the Stig’s more talented American Cousin. Not to mention he’s a big time Hollywood stunt driver lending shock and awe to supplement the absurd in movies like the Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.

This season Tanner will add the position of rallycross driver to his already impressive resume. Tanner will compete in select rounds of the European Rallycross Championship this year in addition to the Formula Drift series, the X Games and select Rally America events. Rallycross is like a hyper frenetic, condensed version of a rally stage (like a super special) and the ‘cross cars are even more potent than their rally cousins. Hit the jump to see some videos from the 2009 X Games of Tanner with the Olsbergs MSE rallycross Fiestas. There’s also the obligatory – and usually bland and uninformative – press release as well. However, in this release Tanner is quoted saying that rallycross will come to the US later this year. Well, wouldn’t that just be all sorts of awesome. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.

Continue reading "Tanner Foust to Compete in Rallycross, World Domination to Soon Follow" »

By Tony Castellano

Tcassa

The other week I paid a visit to the World of Top Gear, located in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. The ‘Enormodrome’ as it’s called allows you to get up-close and personal with some of the battered, modified and ruined cars from many of your favorite TG episodes! My favorite was probably seeing Jeremy’s Fiat Panda Limo… what an awesome creation! Plenty of pics after the jump!

Continue reading "World of Top Gear" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

I’m not sure how old it is, but this bit from a UK comedy show had me laughing my ass off. Apparently, Clarkson Island has more Jeremy Clarksons per square mile than anywhere else in the world, and there’s even a farm dedicated to breeding them. According to the head farmer, they have to be sheared frequently to keep their bushy hair from getting filled with the crap that comes out of their mouths. Ha! Now, I love Jeremy Clarkson, and if the man himself has half the sense of humor he’s demonstrated on Top Gear,  he’s got to think this is funny. Oh, and if you want to make your dialog sound like Clarkson’s, just remember to pause… in the middle.

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

I went to the premiere of Ken Block’s latest and greatest a while back and KB told me that he was about to film a Top Gear segment. Block later sends me a message thanking us for our video feature on the event. In the email Block writes about how cool it was to bomb his rally car around an airstrip in the desert with James May and Ricky Carmichael. I punch out a cryptic Tweet about Block and RC doing something with Captain Slow in a feeble attempt to name drop my sorry ass onto the D-list. Then I get an @message response to my Tweet that reads, “stay tuned!” with this twitpic attached from a user by the name of “4carmichael”. OMG, WTF, the only thing I love more than Top Gear is the Interweb. And yes, I do think I’m cool because Ken Block and Ricky Carmichael (or at least their people) have reached out to me. I know it’s pathetic, but it’s all I got.

By Ron Honig

WaytooFurious

When Top Gear Australia hit the small screen last year some people wondered if it would survive the first season. It didn’t help when the shows host, Charlie Cox, quit. I have seen a preview of the first episode for season two, and I have to say that if it is anything to go by, the rest of this current series should be great. Cox has been replaced by renowned musician James Morrison, who has been a long time car aficionado. The team get up to some great antics. Where else are you going to see someone race a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 against a personal watercraft? I don’t know how the other Top Gear franchises have panned out, but if you have cable or live in my part of the world keep an eye out for Top Gear Australia. Thanks for the preview Heidi.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

It actually seems like kind of a lot to build an old diesel Rabbit, but then again they are also going for a sub 7 second 0-60 time. More at TopGear.com

Continue reading "Top Gear to Build 70-mpg Car for $7,000" »

Sunday, I’m flying to the Sunshine State to see my folks, so this will be the last New on the Net for a little while. I’ve lived in Seattle for over 12 years, but to me, nothing says Christmas like lights strung around a palm tree. Weird, I know. Anyway, here’s the news:

• It might seem silly that I’d make fun of someone for not being able to spell, as eagle-eyed readers have caught my blunders more than once. But if I was going to, say, get a tattoo or make a fake delivery truck to smuggle pot, I’d make sure everything was kosher. Special delivery indeed! Phoenix New Times
• I was pretty sure the auto bailout would get passed pretty quick, so I was a little surprised that the Senate killed it yesterday. In related news, the General has hired bankruptcy attorneys. Yikes. Detroit News
• Looks like Top Gear America won’t be on NBC after all. There was no real info on why the show is headed for cable, but I’d bet the Peacock’s dismal ratings have something to do with it. Top Gear
• When I first saw this concept, I actually thought it was another fancy Lamborghini lighter or something. As it turns out, it’s a double-decker bus concept, and it looks super dope. Yahoo.uk via Jalopnik

Last night, I went to see a DJ set by Andy Rourke, who was the bassist for the Smiths. While we were chatting outside, I told him I think the bass line for “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” is one of the greatest ever written. Then we talked about Mingus. It was awesome. Anyway, here’s the news:

• So Detroit is getting a bailout. But who will be the new car czar? Angus MacKenzie says it should be Roger Penske, and I agree with him. Motor Trend
• Apparently, some of the manufacturers who’ve gotten their products flogged on the Aussie version of Top Gear are complaining about the “damage” done to the vehicles, and one even had the balls to say “we have no appetite for automotive jackass.” Um, so why did you give your car to Top Gear? Carsguide 
• Trademarks are important, but the Blue Oval has taken it a little too far. While its CEO is begging for money from the feds, the company is actually suing fan sites for infringement. Explain to me why we’re going to give money to people who make decisions this dumb again? Ranger Station via Autoblog
• Ford has already proved it hates its fans, but will it sanction the dealer that aired a boneheaded—and borderline racist—ad? Probably not. Detroit News

While I don’t have any official statistics, I’m sure there are plenty of people that get cold feet and cancel their weddings at the last minute. But not everyone sets fire to the venue to delay the ceremony. I mean, that’s bold. But at least Tatsuhiko Kawada got his wish—it’s hard to get married when you’re in jail for arson. Anyway, here’s the news:

• There have been rumors that Michael Schumacher might compete in the World Superbike series for the last few months, but the former F1 champ has always denied any interest in returning to the grid on a motorcycle. Will an offer from Honda make him change his mind? Autosport
• United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger has stated that the unions have nothing to do with the problems currently facing the Big Three. Now, that doesn’t seem accurate to me, but I guess if you’re going to tell a lie, it’s probably best to tell a big one. BrietBart
• Eric Stromer—one of the hosts of the American version of Top Gear—was recently involved in an accident which left his Camry Hybrid on its side leaning against a palm tree. He’s ok, and it was apparently another driver’s fault, but the really funny thing? The airbags didn’t go off. Jalopnik
• Purdue University has just released a study that says most of its locals don’t have a problem speeding, and consider posted limits to be suggestions. While I certainly don’t want to see people ripping through residential areas at triple digit speeds, this did make me wish people in the Emerald City would actually drive the posted limit. World Car Fans