Are Clarkson's Challenges really that challenging?
 

Someone please help me with this....

In the past, we've seen some great challenges with Clarkson vs May and Hammond such as the DB9 vs Train, Ferrari 612 vs Plane, SlR vs Boat, and most recently the Bugatti vs the private Plane.

Here's my problem.....In every one of these races, there is a camera van that follows Clarkson in whatever car he's driving and gets outside shots, vids of Clarkson...whatever. In each of the races, that same van makes it to the destination with Clarkson filming the whole thing. Does this mean that it really doesn't matter what Clarson is driving because even the camera van would have beaten James and Richard? Or is there some other method of filming at work here?

yes we all know the races are 90% TV magic. but lets keep the dream going :P

Good point, I've also thought about it, also the way its edited may be slightly fix to make it seem closer than what it really was. But ya never know for sure.

I really would like to see Clarkson lose tho ...... give him a Corolla next time BBC!!

I don't think it would matter what he drives, as I mentioned above, the camera van would have beaten James and Richard. Those two need to figure out a way to beat the camera van, then they will have a real chance at winning.

^lol, if they beat the camera man, what are we gonna watch?? keke

^^^ Ummmm...good point. Maybe the in-car cameras would have to be sufficient.

They've got the fastest BBC Van on earth, makes me remember an old E39 M5 advertisement with the M5 filming the world speed record :D

Im sure they set up cameras ahead of time, its done in other things aswel...


Although I am sure a lot of it is highly edited and such I dont believe its competly bullshit.

Plus dont forget clarkuson did lose that mountain climbers vs. Audi race ;)

Id say like the majority of Clarksons comments, the majority of it is entertainment, not fact. Not that that takes anything away from it.

Sure they go over the limit. No cop will be able to use that footage for anything. ;)

BBC can say it is edited etc.....its just not possible.

With proper planning, JC can get whatever results he wants... okay, not too sure about the breakdown of the boat, that was kinda hard to plan or was it? :roll:

Indeed. The races and challenges they set up really give the show some variety and a chance for them to display more of their unique humor (and arguing) 8)

I've often wondered about the races too, but I just figured they had camera crews already set up throughout Jeremy's route, waiting for him to come by. Since he won't be doing insane speeds all the way, it's quite reasonable that they can stay with him for some of the outside shots. If they can't keep up with him on the road, they always get a chance when he's fueling up.

same thing goes for James not running in TV, camera guy has to run with all his equipment (unless they invent a super zoom so they zoom intead of follow lol) so yeah both ways its cheating!

I assumed the same as racer_f50. They know the route which will be taken in advance so 2 or 3 crews go on ahead, and Jezza has an in-car camera setup. They meet him at his natural break points where they shoot any film of him outside the car if necessary (I.e. making jokes about MPG at the petrol station), and thereafter have a convoy for a few miles before he zooms off at single-digit MPG speeds :twisted:

As for whether it is TV magic or a genuine fair race, I am not concerned either way, it is great to watch and very innovative TV.