deth
11-11-2003, 11:58 PM
ElliotP - Hey Vicki, You're a fab driver and I've read that you work as an instructor at certain circuits? So.... Which ones?!!! I use Oulton Park and Donnington all the time. Get up there :) Vicki BH - Thank you for your kind compliments on my driving. I've not instructed for a few years now so I've retired from the profession, but I can be bought... AquilaEagle - Hi Vicki can't wait to chat a bit later, there are quite a few S2000 owners from the UK club coming tonight, we really want you to join up :) Vicki BH - I share you're enthusiasm that the car is a fantastic one, however, a night out with my car is like a busmans' evening for me. Have a lovely time, and my thoughts are with you! Beano - Do you miss your Max Power days. What's the scariest car you've ever driven?? Vicki BH - I remember my Max Power days with great fondness, and there weren t any bare breasts when I was working on it. The scariest car I've ever driven was a twin engine Golf, very fast but didn't corner. AquilaEagle - So Vicki, fancy coming along to the S2ki supermeet this coming summer? ;) Vicki BH - No, thanks awfully for the invite. Believe me, you really will have a better time without me there. BlackBeard -Hiya Vicki. I am learning to ride a motorbike at the moment (direct access 500cc+). What would you recommend as my first bike - budget around £2.5k. Roy from London. Vicki BH - From your name of being called Black Beard, I presume you are a bloke, so I won't advise on any girlie bikes. Don't be silly and buy the fastest thing you can for the money, so just be a bit practical. The most experience you get, the more powerful you get. All good things come to those who wait. Wesdix - Vicki did he wreck that bike? Vicki BH - It wasn't very well afterwards. I'm still chuckling about it know. Rich222 -Did you not want to take your bike on the track ? Vicki BH - You must be joking when I had the offer of taking someone else s on the track. RamJam - Hi !, I'm 27 and part of the generation that feel a bit guilty driving down to the local shops (which would take me two mins to walk to!) Q: When do you think we will see eco friendly desirable road cars ? Like an electric Lotus Elise or TVR Tuscan perhaps ? :-) thanks Ram Vicki BH - Don't feel guilty about taking the car to the shops! I think sports car manufacturers would rather go bust that give up their powerful petrol engines, at least I hope so. Robo_racer - I am in the unfortunate position of being a company car owner - Nissan Primevil. What would be your ideal company car or what would you recommend from the follow: Primevil, Avensis, Laguana? Vicki BH - All much of a muchness. All I can say is drive before you make your decision, and trust your own judgement on that one, as I don't know what your exact needs are. He7ioS Hi Vicki I just saw to program now and it had some shots of the Koenigsegg. Have Fifth Gear tested it yet?? Vicki BH - We're trying to get our hands on it, but other people keep breaking it. Rich222 - What do you think of the Civic Type R ? Vicki BH - It's a brilliant little rocket of a car, and not for the faint hearted! Midgers - Can you tell us about the drifting event at Silverstone, or at least when it will be shown :) Vicki BH - I think it might be going on Fifth Gear next week, but the producer is the man to call, so call him! Bonheur - Luv the show. Any chance of a bike show on Five? Vicki BH - Obviously I'd like to do a bike show on Five, but I m not in control of any channel, so you'll have to ask the powers that be! GT global light. - any more track days planned? I remember meeting you at a company track day at Mallory about 3 years ago, you were driving a Vicki BH - No track days planned, but they're always good fun. redspecial2000 How did you get into this car reviewing malarky?? What's your background? Vicki BH - I raced 100cc karts from the age of 12-17. was a racing instructor at Silverton at the age of 17. Raced single seaters and saloon cars until today. Was a road tester for various car magazines for 7 years. Was a presenter on Top Gear for 4 years, and now present Fifth Gear. TS - Hi Vicki... when you did the Fifth Gear worlds best sports car last year what was it about the Boxsters that meant it beat the S2000? after all we know you are a fan of the S2000 and yet you all unanimously voted for the Boxsters! Vicki BH - At the end of the day, it came down to the Boxster having better low down engine performance. StevieP - deep down how did u feel about the modified saxo's you did a spot on, fun hobby? or a waste of cash?? Vicki BH - Fun hobby. They re cracking little cars, great for modifying, but don't spend too many 1000s on them. stevo18 - vicki who was the best person to work with: Jeremy Clarkson or Tiff? Vicki BH - Evil question. They're both very different people, but I ll have to say Tiff, cos I ve worked with him the longest, and he's a great friend and driver. Vicki BH - First of all, you have a great web name! I don't know where you live, and I haven't been on a rally day for a few years, so I can't recommend a single one, but do ring round your local schools and compare how long they give you in the cars, but enjoy it, and best of luck with your own school. Fest - Hi Vicki... Just wondered if you had managed to take a look at the mazda rx-8, I had a test drive and wondered what you thought of it (be gentle, my deposit is already paid!) Vicki BH -: My brother has had a go in one, I haven t, he says they're alright, but I can't say more that that cos I haven t driven one, but I m sure your money is in very safe hands. magnus- So is it bikes from now Vicki, Or are 4 wheels still what it s all about? Vicki BH - Thank you for your kind words, you obviously weren't looking properly at the bike section tonight. I remain a hopeless bike rider, so will stick to what I know best - cars! BossHogg7 -If you couldn't write / talk about cars what would you write / talk about instead? Vicki BH - I would be a jet fighter pilot, so I wouldn t write or talk about anything. Seamus - Do you find it easy to keep driving in other countries, i.e. the other side of the road, and then coming back home to drive on the left? Does the right hand drive/left hand drive make any difference, is there a "trick" to it or do you just get used to it? Vicki BH - It's something that you get used to , and it helps that I constantly drive different cars, so have to get used to each car very quickly. The only difference I initially feel is that the weight of the car is on the other side. Madlib - Do you think rear wheel drive cars with Teflon coated tyres and 1000bhp should be made mandatory by the government;-) Vicki BH - What a brilliant idea. I love the way you think. I think you should be Prime Minister!! KAKAtie - Do you think the police are right to go after cruisers/modded cars? if they're racing then fair enough, but not if they are just parked! Vicki BH - I agree with your thoughts. andy3004 - Hi Vicki, Age old question this, what's the best car to impress a lady, in your opinion!!! Thanks. Vicki BH - A pair of roller skates and an umbrella! BMWTom -Hi Vicki, do you think a MINI Cooper S would make a good track day car? Having driven it on the road, I feel it would be a great laugh on the track.......... Vicki BH - Yep, it would be an excellent choice, A lot of cheeky fun! Firestormer - Really enjoyed the bike feature tonight. Any chance of putting a standard bike with a good rider around a circuit and compare times with a supercar? I'm fed up with the 'tall guy in the Kevin Keegan wig' rubbishing bikes on that other channel. Any serious petrolhead knows that bikes are more fun and more accessible in terms of £ per BHP. What do you say? Vicki BH - We would do a supercar V road bike item, but it is a predictable outcome as the bike will be quicker in a straight line, and the car would beat it round corners, so it's a bit of a non-story really. But I agree, bikes are big fun! StevieP - I know that you do a bit of presenting for the British touring cars on the side (along with fifth gear) who is you hot tip racer for next season? Vicki BH - I don't know who exactly will be racing in the championships next year, but James Thompson and Matt Neal are consistently great drivers. Tazman - Would you like to get back into racing as a career or are you happier presenting ? Vicki BH - If I could make a living being a racing driver, I would, however, clearly, I wasn't brilliant at it, but I love, love, love my job! Kelk - Having driven so many different cars how do u make a choice on your make and model of your own personal car? Vicki BH - My S2000 suits me at my stage in my life perfectly, it's a rear wheel drive, 2 seater, soft-top sports car which is PERFECT for me, so it was an easy choice. There's no need for a Renault Espace in my life at the moment.... ricardo1500 - on which corner at Donnington did Tiff eat the kitty litter?? Vicki BH - It was the first corner, Redgate. Lovely use of words there, thank you! unclemonkey - Would you say you re addicted to speed or is it more racing that fuels your engine? Vicki BH - I love racing and it's more cornering that floats my boat, than flat out speed! Fruzzer! - Vicki - your ex co presenter Jeremy was a noted hater of the Corvette - what is your opinion of this and other American 'Muscle Cars?' Vicki BH - I'm a big fan of American Muscle cars. The may not be the best handling cars in the world, but they sound fantastic, which is all good news in my book! Henry - Vicki. How did you get on driving in the Porsche cup the other day ? Vicki BH - Henry, so lovely to come across somebody with a normal web name, so top brownie points already! I beat Tiff in both races, and had a fantastic time, they are awesome cars. Tiff would have beaten me though, had he not crashed or blown up a gear box! Tazman - Hiya Vicki, I m limited to Automatic's at the moment, are there ANY auto's out there, which are still fun to drive, and that you'd recommend ? Vicki BH - I wish I could recommend an automatic, but they're so go against my belief. I appreciate you have to drive an auto at the moment, so anyone would really do, and I hope you get back to a manual as so as..... ricardo1500 - which UK track is your favourite and why?? Vicki BH - I love Oulton Park as it's like a country road. I love Donnington because it's just Donnington, and I love Brands Hatch s I've raced on it the most. I'm allowed three favourites because I'm a girl! DemWheelz - Hiya Vicki, Can I moan?!! Being a disabled driver I am becoming more and more annoyed at the negativity shown by presenters to Automatic cars. With the vast amount of disabled drivers now on the road that have no choice in having either a manual or automatic gearbox, do you think it a good idea to maybe have a disabled presenter - maybe even as a 'guest' spot every so often? POSS. I love you!! Vicki BH - What a brilliant idea to have a disabled presenter or to give someone a slot. Or course I understand the need for an automatic box in certain circumstances. I am a big fan of the Motobility Show and attended it at Donnington last year. I will speak to my bosses and try and do more mobility stuff on the TV. I can but ask. All the best to you. jezman - Hi Vicky which of the legendary golf's do you prefer the MK1 GTI 1800 or the MAKE 16v ? Vicki BH - I own a MAKE 16v, so chances are I'm choose that as my favourite, but the MK1 is a lovely little thing. chilli - Do u reckon the new DAB will be the next Bond car? I reckon you'd make a well good Bond girl don't you!? Vicki BH - Will flattery like that, you will do very well for yourself young man! big' fla -Hi Vicky, loving your work babe, I am 6ft 6 inches, is there a sports bike for the taller people of the world, I have a SL55 for 4 wheel fun but would love to have tome two wheel fun too, any ideas? Vicki BH - Maybe an off road bike would suit you the best. Something chunkie beneath your legs! crankshaft - Surely Tiff has ridden before. He makes out he's a novice! Vicki BH - Tiff has ridden before, but he rides a couple of weeks each year, so he's no expert, as his crash clearly demonstrated! JMP - Vicki, did you know you have a 61 ton steam engine (built in 1920 and now preserved at the Transport Museum in Clapham) that carries your name! (Butler-Henderson not Vicki) bet you couldn t power slide that one! Vicki BH - Yes I do know. It's named after one of my ancestors. I was lucky enough to ride on it, on it's last ever run. I was amazing! Vicki BH- He did more than a tenner's worth of damage, but his ego somehow remained in tact. My most favourite TV moment was going up in a Jaguar Jet Fighter Plane. It was the most amazing working experience of my life. Clarkyboy - Hey Vicki. ive got twenty grand to spend on a new car. I want a sporty hot-hatch with lots of power , what would you recommend ? Vicki BH - Me, or a Honda Civic type R, and you'll get some change! Guest - Is a Caterham the best accelerating car for the money cos I'm thinking of buying a very quick car for as cheap as possible? Vicki BH - It depends what engine you get. The best power to weight machine is a motor bike, but just get the biggest engine in a small car that you can afford. Chris75 - Did you get to go pillion with Niall Mackenzie as well as Tiff and if so how was it ? Vicki BH - No I didn't, but I have been on the back of Randy Manola a few years ago, which was terrifying exhilarating. speedfreak72 - which would you prefer to be seen in on the Kings Road. A Chevette or a Corvette? Vicki BH -I can't answer because I'm laughing too much! scipio - what is your expectations of the new ford capri?? Vicki BH - I love the original Capri, so I will be a fan of anything carrying the name Capri. BossHogg7 -What's more important in a car - sound or looks? Personally a V8 wins every time... Vicki BH - I'm so with you my boy. ComedyDav -Do u think there is any point to building the Merc CL65 AMG and then limiting it to 155mph ??? Vicki BH - Most German cars are limited to 155 mph, but it's a very simple operation to take the limiter off it. But only for use on autobahns. Daf -What is the worst car you have owned/ driven? Vicki BH - Worst car driven was a twin engined Golf that I spoke about earlier. It was noisy, smelly, and only went in a straight line. sv1000s -Hi vicki what is your fav. bike you have ridden ? Vicki BH - A Honda Fireblade and a Suzuki GSXR1000. Guest -Vicki. What's the best road car you have ever driven? Vicki BH - Lamborghini Diablo GT, it was AWESOME! Andyvtr - Hi Vicki, thought you looked 'cool' on the bike (well what I wanted to say may be classed as sexist according to the rules) - Anyway do you have an official fan club? Vicki BH - No official fan club, and I wouldn't be cross with you for a bit of sexism! BossHogg7 - Vicki, what's the most unusual form of motor sport you're tried? Vicki BH - Easy! I did Banger racing in a combine harvester. I kid you not. I was in Cornwall, and was bonkers! I've never been asked that question before! jezman -You say you own a MK2 16V an S2000 and I thought I heard Tiff say you had a Ducati.... How many tools for the job do you own Vicki BH -That's it now, oh, and a push bike! Super -Hiya Vick.... I was wondering, how could I get into " Touring Cars " when I'm older, because I'm only 15, so I'm off to college, so I might do a car mechanic course to get started, but I would really like to get into touring cars..... Vicki BH - I presume from your college course that you want to be a mechanic rather than a driver, so I suggest you contact all the touring car teams now, and try and build up a relationship with one of them for employment in the future. I wish you all the best of luck. trinity579 -Vicki, I m looking for a change - currently have one of those funny looking BMW M Coupe's - great fun but time for a change. For around £35k what would you recommend - thinking 2 seater and not worried about 2nd hand options Vicki BH - A TVR would be fantastic fun with that hint of unpredictability........ Tazman - Do any of your girlfriends share your love of motors ? Vicki BH - To a small extent, most of them do, but it's probably sympathy that they're showing, rather than a real interest. But I do sometimes have good chats with my girlfriends about motors! Fruzzer! - Vicki, What piece of music do you most like to drive to? Vicki BH - : I don't think I've got a particular favourite, but anything with a good bass is usually a winner. mrsp - Vicki, having been unceremoniously lifted out of the gravel trap at Brands 3 weeks ago in my Caterham, I am only a novice, at least that s my excuse, have you driven Caterhams and if so how do they compare to bikes around Donnington? Vicki BH - I have raced in a Caterham, and been rather successful, but a bike is much more scary, and you are in very good company, as both Tiff and I have been in the Kitty Litter and Brand Hatch over the years. Lou_Rawls - On the subject of the BTCC, we support Phil Bennett because he has the craziest sideburns. How do you choose who to support? Vicki BH - I don't have a favourite, and that's not me sitting on the fence, it's just that I don a job presenting the BTCC show, rather than being a supporter for someone. I like your choice in Phil. He is a wonderful nutter! Abou27 - If you were to present a current non-motoring programme, which would it be? Vicki BH - Have I got New For You, and any holiday programme! Fatman&Blobin -Do you think there are enough women in motor sport? I personally feel that they are under-represented but is this through lack of interest rather than ability? Vicki BH - I agree, but it's through lack of interest as much as lack of exposure to the sport. If my father had not been an ex-racing driver, I would probably not be doing what I'm doing. Fruzzer! - you have 1 day left on earth, what would you do? Vicki BH - Unprintable! Vicki BH -Thank you very much to everybody who has taken the time to write in. Happy motoring. A transcript is also available on the website. Moderator - Thanks to everyone who took part and to Vicki for taking time. Note the chat transcript will be online tomorrow. Please log off the chat room which is being closed now. Thanks!