Responsible off-roading by Top Gear

[thermidorthelobster]

Glad to see Top Gear are promoting responsible off-roading, and giving the rest of the world a positive image of our sport, by driving the Discovery up a bloody Scottish mountain.  As I write, Clarkson is "flooring it" (his words) up the summit.

That's great, I bet the ramblers and Ken Livingstone are very impressed.

I hope they asked the land owner's permission at least...

I'm also dubious that safe winching techniques involve holding the winch cable in one hand whilst the vehicle is winching itself.  I thought the approved Land Rover technique involved standing well away from the winch cable, not holding the damn thing.

David

[Tony W]

=D>  =D>

[Andy.]

Well sod the rambles of this world, great to see the new Discovery climb to the summit  :D

And you tell me of a 4x4 driver who has'nt said to another or done it, floored or givin it some welly to get out of bother.

As for the winching never done any so can't comment, but I would'nt of stood there  :shock:

Good feature I thought, lets forget the politics  

[thermidorthelobster]

But millions of people watch Top Gear.  If they give out the impression that 4x4 drivers spend their time charging across open countryside tearing great ruts everywhere, that's *exactly* what the anti-4x4 lobby wants to hear. :twisted:

Yes, it was an interesting feature, but what use is "interesting" if it damages our sport?  It's not political correctness, it's misrepresentation  :(

[pritch]

But millions of people watch Top Gear.  If they give out the impression that 4x4 drivers spend their time charging across open countryside tearing great ruts everywhere, that's *exactly* what the anti-4x4 lobby wants to hear. :twisted:

The question on my mind is 'what if just anyone thinks they can turn left off the black stuff, and start charging up mountains willy-nilly?'

If they'd taken the time out to say "We asked the landowner about this" or "we checked with the rights of way people about this" then that wouldn't be so bad.  I bet we'll see people going for a quick blast down bridleways and whatnot after that program.

[Pete5844]

Sorry but I enjoyed it just wish he'd tried to get out of the mud himself before getting help :)

[Vam]

Scince when has Clarkson EVER been responsible?

Actually saw it tonight, thought it was brilliant, and if he (an obviously very bad 4x4 driver) can get the landrover up the mountain then anyone can. And that was the point.

He's always getting slated for speeding in Wales or being irresponsible elsewhere, the way he was revelling in burning up those tyres on the viper... looked really fun, but you wouldn't do it.

I think Clarkson is getting into 'demigod' status with his driving antics and as a result no one would confuse him with a serious driver :lol:


Helen

[Andy.]

Sorry but I enjoyed it just wish he'd tried to get out of the mud himself before getting help :)

He did have a pair of wellies on Pete  :lol:

[Wanderer]

With regards to the winch rope (i didn't think it was cable) it wasn't under strain when the guy grabbed it.
I doubt (if it was plasma) that it would have done harm in that state.

Ed

[konadbn]

With regards to the winch rope (i didn't think it was cable) it wasn't under strain when the guy grabbed it.
I doubt (if it was plasma) that it would have done harm in that state.

Ed

Winching is a bit of an art from. Some people go to the extream of using the remote from inside the cab with the bonnet up as winch cable under tention can cut a man in half if it snaps.

[Eeyore]

=; [rant]
To be honest, I'm more dissapointed than angry..........

Thermidor has hit the nail square on the head, and I salute him.

Top Gear has again demonstrated irresponsibility of the highest order.

1) Clarkson needs to explain to Mr and Mrs Numpty that what he did was done with the landowners permission - in Scotland you cannot just drive to the top of the nearest mountain. Right to roam does not apply to vehicles (and there are people out there that think it does). Would it have hurt him to have said so? No, but it would have aided our cause.
2) The winching protocol was suicidal. It was on cable, not plasma. Regardless, you MUST NOT handle the cable when under tension (which it was, twice). Even with plasma, if it fails it will still hurt. If a shackle fails, you're still looking a several ounces of lethal projectile.  [-X . If a steel cable fails and your stood that close...................

If they're not driving pickups down steps on footways, they're finding other reasons for the anti's to shut us down.

Yeah, thanks Top Gear. Thanks a million.  
<sigh>

[/rant]
cheers
Eeyore

[Hightower]

I can see TG getting a few letters over this one . . . . . . .

I think (imho) that the worst bit was the lack of care taken while winching.  I think we can take it as read that permission was got for actually taking the car up that mountain, but there is no excuse for putting peoples lives in danger by not following basic safety precautions.

[turtle]

I agree with Eeyore I don't think it put us in a good light, as HT says TG will get a few letters over this one.

and as for the winching methods.... what can be said that hasn't already. Very silly in my mind.

[orlando]

Did you not get the impression it was a little tounge in cheek?

Afterall, I'm sure if Land Rover didn't agree with the message they were trying to get across they would have never agreed to the filming surely?

In a lot of the shots it wasn't clarkson driving either.

[gords]

Maybe some one (who has the knack and knowledge) should write to/contact Top Gear and raise these points - and ask for them to be covered in a later program.

Or even contact the complaints commission? (wouldn't know how you do that though :? )

[muddyweb]

I think that if anyone has string feelings about it, then they should write to the BBC... don't rely on someone else to do it, else no-one will ;-)

If they get a dozen letters, they will be more inclined to respond than one "well written" message.

[datalas]

just out of curiosity ...

since they were in scotland, and *not* on a green lane, how does this do the anties any good whatsoever?

he was on private land in a country with no greenlanes anyhow, to argue that this shows how irresponsible off roading is seems a little odd, kinda equivalent to me walking across the carpet in golf shoes, damaging, but since it's my house who cares ?

now, I'm not saying that the anti's won't try to use it to bolster their defences, but surely it's easy enough to shoot down in flames... although, for us to argue our way out of it we'd have to find someone willing to listen to us in the first place ....

 

[thermidorthelobster]

Afterall, I'm sure if Land Rover didn't agree with the message they were trying to get across they would have never agreed to the filming surely?

I'm pretty sure Land Rover wouldn't have had any say in the matter.  If you give your car over to a bunch of journalists, you just hope you get it back in as few pieces as possible.  There's no editorial control either, otherwise you would never see scathing reviews.

My brother is in the motor trade and has largely given up lending cars to journos - although one of his did feature in Top Gear recently.

since they were in scotland, and *not* on a green lane, how does this do the anties any good whatsoever?

Because they give the impression to non-4x4 drivers that 4x4 drivers spend their time driving all over the countryside wherever the hell they want, which is patently not the case;  and also because it gives potential 4x4 owners the impression that they can buy a Disco III and start driving up mountains whenever they feel like it.

If you were a rambler, what conclusion would you jump to?

I agree, if they'd explained that they had the land owner's permission and that it wasn't normal to drive up mountains, it would have been infinitely preferable.

David

[davidlandy]

personally I took it all as a bit tongue in cheek and in typical true top gear spirit i.e a little insane.  

The winching tactics did leave a lot to be desired , but then again how people watching from the millions it are (like us?) true winching experts and would notice the glaring breaches of best safety practise?

I have also had a quick look on the ramblers forum and there is absolutley no mention of this whatsoever.

hmmmm - not good, but maybe we shouldnt blow this up out of all proportion.

Dave

[Sooty]

I watched Mr Clarkeson drive that 2.7 ton dream machine up that 1000 ft scotish mole hill and wished I could do the same.
We all know that we can't do that for one reason or another and anybody who thinks that all 4x4 owners just turn left off the black stuff when ever the fancy takes them must also think that all Dodge Viper owners do donuts in the middle lane of the M1 when ever the fancy takes them.
All the items on TG are done for effect and all viewers of the programme with a small amount of common sence will realise that, having said that the winch prosedure was complete and utter rubbish (I am sure I noticed one no brainer running in front of the D3 with the cable in his hand as it drove out of the peat bog :roll: )and it will be used by the anti 4x4 lobby with there own spin on it I am sure.
Thats life boy and girls, get used to it you won't change it.

[Mace]

Did anyone catch the bit when the ground anchor started to slip under tension, so one of the blokes just jumped on it with his size 10 wellies and it pulled him along too. And don't forget the LR build quality...the door trim fell off in the peat bog.

Even my brother-in-law who's only been a passenger off-road once with me said "he's holding the bloody cable!"

[RRC]

I found it quite enjoyable really. Would the Disco 3 be so memorable had it been driven in a 'play and pay.'

But if anyone disagrees (and by the looks of things there are), go ahead and tell ol' Terry Wogan on Points of View.

Door trim falling off...... it's expected if its buried in pete.

The idea of driving up the mountain shows the excellent capabilities of the Disco, and the success that Land Rover (and Ford) have achieved over the past few years.

[Eeyore]

Did anyone catch the bit when the ground anchor started to slip under tension, so one of the blokes just jumped on it with his size 10 wellies and it pulled him along too.

It's suprisingly how those kind of anchors work. Generally they need a bit of mass on them to make them dig to start with before they become effective.

I wouldn't recommended them for use with cables for the previousaly mentioned reasons!

cheers
 8)
Eeyore

[Mace]

It just made me laugh, it looked like he was learning to skateboard !

[Guy90]

You'll see cables being held like that at just about every challenge event going. Not a goo idea though. Just quick.

It made for entertaining TV. I wouldn't have taken that line. You could see it was boggy. it was a V in the gully. Water is bound to gather there.

Guy

[Andy.]

I found it quite enjoyable really. Would the Disco 3 be so memorable had it been driven in a 'play and pay.'

But if anyone disagrees (and by the looks of things there are), go ahead and tell ol' Terry Wogan on Points of View.

Door trim falling off...... it's expected if its buried in pete.

The idea of driving up the mountain shows the excellent capabilities of the Disco, and the success that Land Rover (and Ford) have achieved over the past few years.

Well said, a positive response in amongst all this doom and gloom  :)

[muky-kid.]

:shock: I saw the repeat last night, and i must admit i did enjoy it and the new disco 3 is a good capable offroader. But saying that some parts of the action made me cringe, like the way he just turned off the tarmac straight onto the mountain without saying before hand that they had permision to do so, and as for the use of the winch and accesorys the mind bogles. Good motor but i think they couldve done it with a bit more thought. Thats my opinion.....

[hingmy]

Btw - the ground used is part of the estate of Alan Clark's son and was used for the official launch earlier in the year.

[Tiny Tim]

I thought it was a good, entertaining piece although I did wince at the winching. Thought the assistants may have been from Scottish LR Club when I saw it.

In the light of all this - I guess it could have been shown to have been done more responsibley.

Anyway, on another note, all those gadgets are fine but ...
 - would you be offraoding £30K worth of car like that ?
 - and would you trust your life to Landy electrics ?  :shock:

[kevbutty]

Excellent programme  :D

Fantastic vehicle  8)

Nuff said [-(