Top Gear series 13

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Use British English|date=December 2011}} {{Infobox television season | series_number = 13 | bgcolour = #D8BFD8 | image = Top Gear Series 13 2009.jpg | image_upright = 1.13 | image_alt = | caption = Promotional poster | starring = {{Plainlist| *[[Jeremy Clarkson]] *[[Richard Hammond]] *[[James May]] *[[The Stig]] }} | num_episodes = 7 | network = [[BBC Two]] | first_aired = {{Start date|2009|06|21|df=y}} | last_aired = {{end date|2009|08|02|df=y}} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }}

Series 13 of ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'', a British motoring magazine and [[factual television]] programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on [[BBC Two]] during 2009, consisting of seven episodes that were aired between 21 June and 2 August. As a publicity stunt, the series also had [[Michael Schumacher]] disguise himself as "[[The Stig]]", primarily due to the fact that a car they reviewed could not be driven by anyone but Schumacher for a timed lap of the programme's test track. Alongside this, this series' highlights included a 1940s styled race, a motoring challenge involving rear-wheeled cars, and the presenters entering a classic car rally. The thirteenth series received criticism over two elements - one for an advert designed by [[Jeremy Clarkson]] as part of a film for an episode; the other for the use of a word deemed offensive. {{-}} == Episodes == {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude> {{Episode table |background=#CC99CC |overall=5 |series=5 |aux1=24 |aux2=34 |aux3=11 |airdate=11 |viewers=10 |country=UK |aux1T=Reviews |aux2T=Features/challenges |aux3T=Guest(s) |viewersR=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?|title=Weekly Top 10 Programmes|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]}}</ref> |episodes= {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 13 | EpisodeNumber = 106 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = [[Lotus Evora]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear Race to the North|Race to the North]]: ([[LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado]] steam train • [[Jaguar XK120]] • [[Vincent Black Shadow]]) • [[Ferrari FXX]] Lap Time | Aux3 = [[Michael Schumacher]] (disguised as [[The Stig]]) | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|6|21|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.86 | ShortSummary = The trio determine what a ''Top Gear'' race from [[London]] to [[Edinburgh]] would be like in 1949. While May competes in a [[Jaguar XK120]], Hammond races him on a [[Vincent Black Shadow]], and Clarkson enters as part of a train crew aboard a [[LNER Peppercorn Class A1|LNER Peppercorn A1]] locomotive, the [[LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado|''Tornado'']]. Starting from [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]], Hammond and May find themselves sticking to the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1 Road]] and avoiding the motorways, while Clarkson endures the noise and heat in the train cab, as all three vying to reach the finish line at a bar in the [[Balmoral Hotel]]. Elsewhere, Clarkson is testing out the [[Lotus Evora]] around the track, while the Stig takes the [[Ferrari FXX]] for a power lap before coming into the studio and finally revealing who he is. | LineColor = CC99CC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 13 | EpisodeNumber = 107 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = [[Lamborghini Murciélago#Murciélago LP 670–4 SuperVeloce (2009–2010)|Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV]] | Aux2 = Perfect £2,500 car for 17-year-olds: ([[Volvo 900 Series#Volvo 940|Volvo 940 Turbo Estate]] • [[Volkswagen Golf Mk 3|Volkswagen Golf Mk III]] • [[Hyundai Scoupe]]) • Drag Race: ([[Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren#722 Edition|Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition]] vs. [[Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce|Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV]]) • Drag Race II: ([[Bugatti Veyron]] vs. [[McLaren F1]]) | Aux3 = [[Stephen Fry]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|6|28|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.00 | ShortSummary = The presenters find themselves going out and buying a car that would be perfect for 17-year-olds, on a budget of £2,500 to cover their purchase plus insurance—Clarkson buys a [[Volvo 700 Series#Volvo 740|Volvo 940 Turbo Estate]], Hammond for a [[Hyundai Scoupe]], while May purchases a [[Volkswagen Golf Mk 3|Volkswagen Golf Mk III]]. In a series of challenges, the group engage in teenage activities the car would endure, including leaving a festival car park, repairing damage after a roll, and completing an obstacle course in time while hitting everything. Elsewhere, [[Stephen Fry]] is the latest star in the reasonably priced car, while Hammond is in [[Abu Dhabi]] to see if the new [[Lamborghini Murciélago#LP670-4 SuperVeloce|Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV]] is a hypercar in a race against a [[Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren#722 Edition|Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition]], before taking on the Stig in a drag race between the [[McLaren F1]] and the [[Bugatti Veyron]]. | LineColor = CC99CC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 13 | EpisodeNumber = 108 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = [[Mercedes-Benz R230#SL 65 AMG Black Series (2008-11)|Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series]] | Aux2 = Cheap ''and'' Cheerful car I: ([[Perodua Myvi#First generation (M300; 2005)|Perodua Myvi]] • [[Chevrolet Aveo#First generation (2002–2011)|Chevrolet Aveo]] • [[Proton Satria#Satria Neo (2006–present)|Proton Satria Neo]]) • Cheap ''and'' Cheerful car II: ([[Škoda Roomster]] • [[Toyota iQ]] • [[Alfa Romeo MiTo]] • [[Fiat 500 (2007)|Fiat 500]]) • Gymkhana rallying on the airfield ([[Subaru Impreza WRX STI#Third generation (2008-2012)|Subaru Impreza WRX STI]]) | Aux3 = [[Michael McIntyre]] • [[Ken Block (rally driver)|Ken Block]] • [[Ricky Carmichael]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|7|05|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.38 | ShortSummary = To beat the recession, the trio take to the streets of London in three small cars that they hate and that bankers will be forced to use—the [[Proton Satria Neo]], the [[Chevrolet Aveo]], and the [[Perodua Myvi]]—before heading to the track with three small cars they like—the [[Škoda Roomster]] for Clarkson, the [[Alfa Romeo MiTo]] for Hammond, and the [[Toyota iQ]] for May—and testing them on a challenge devised by each presenter. Meanwhile, Clarkson tests out the new face-lifted [[Mercedes-Benz R230#SL 65 AMG Black Series (2008-11)|Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series]], May meets professional American stunt driver [[Ken Block (rally driver)|Ken Block]] and gets taken for a ride around Ken's own [[Gymkhana (motorsport)|gymkhana]] and his tuned [[Subaru Impreza]] and a race with [[motocross]] legend [[Ricky Carmichael]], and comedian [[Michael McIntyre]] steps into the reasonably priced car. | LineColor = CC99CC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 13 | EpisodeNumber = 109 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = [[Ford Focus (second generation, Europe)#Focus RS Mk 2|Ford Focus RS]] • [[Renault Mégane Renault Sport#Renaultsport 230 Renault F1 Team R26.R (2009-)|Renault Mégane R26.R]] • [[Porsche Panamera]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear Races#Car versus... challenges|Race]]: [[Porsche Panamera]] vs. the [[Royal Mail]] service • Playing [[British Bulldog (game)|British Bulldog]] with live fire against the British Army in a [[Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII]] | Aux3 = [[Usain Bolt]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|7|12|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.80 | ShortSummary = Clarkson sees if he can save an old school playground game with cars, by going to a British Army testing area in [[Dorset]] and taking on an array of new military hardware, including a [[Jackal (MWMIK)|Jackal]], [[Mastiff PPV]] and a [[Challenger 2#Trojan|Trojan]] [[combat engineering vehicle]], in a point-to-point race with a [[Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution#Evolution VII|2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII RS]], while Hammond and May see if the new [[Porsche Panamera]] can get from [[Porthloo]] in the [[Isles of Scilly]] to [[Birsay]] on the [[Mainland, Orkney|Orkney Isles]] faster than a letter being ferried and delivered by the [[Royal Mail]]. Meanwhile Clarkson and Hammond compare the latest [[Ford Focus RS#Focus RS Mark II|Ford Focus RS]] against the [[Renault Mégane Renault Sport#Renaultsport 230 Renault F1 Team R26.R (2009-)|Renault Mégane R26.R]] around the track, and [[Usain Bolt]] attempts to prove that he can be fast in the Lacetti as he is with his feet. | LineColor = CC99CC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 13 | EpisodeNumber = 110 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Jaguar XF (X250)#XFR (2009–2015)|Jaguar XFR]] • [[BMW M5#E60 M5 (2005–2010)|BMW M5]] | Aux2 = [[List of Top Gear challenges#s13e5|Proof]] of three £1,500 [[rear-wheel drive]] coupés better than [[front-wheel drive]]: ([[Porsche 944#944 S2|Porsche 944 S2]] • [[Ford Capri#Ford Capri Mk III (1978–1986)|Ford Capri 2.8i]] • [[Nissan 300ZX#Z32|Nissan 300ZX]] • [[Morris Marina]]) • Clarkson's inspired [[greenhouse]] trailer design to save the world | Aux3 = [[Sienna Miller]] • [[Olivier Panis]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|7|19|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.38 | ShortSummary = Clarkson, Hammond and May prove that [[front-wheel drive]] are no good by buying three second-hand [[rear-wheel drive]] cars on a budget of £1,500—Clarkson uses a [[Porsche 944#944 S2|Porsche 944 S2]], Hammond drives a [[Nissan 300ZX]], while May buys the [[Ford Capri#Ford Capri Mk III (1978–1986)|Ford Capri 2.8L]]. Driving across France, the trio engage in a series of challenges to prove RWD is good, but when it comes to an ice race at [[Val Thorens]], one of the trio is left having to make use of the back-up car—a [[Morris Marina]]. Elsewhere, the new [[Jaguar XF (X250)#XFR (2009–2015)|Jaguar XFR]] is given a thorough test by Clarkson against its main rival, the [[BMW M5#E60 M5 (2005–2010)|BMW M5]]. Clarkson does his bit for the environment at finding ways to reduce [[Greenhouse gas emissions|carbon dioxide emission]] (with varying results), and [[Sienna Miller]] hopes to be an expert at getting a fast time with the Lacetti. | LineColor = CC99CC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 13 | EpisodeNumber = 111 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Aux1 = [[BMW Z4 (E89)|BMW Z4 sDrive35i]] • [[Nissan 370Z#370Z Coupe (2009–)|Nissan 370Z]] | Aux2 = Pre-1982 £3,000 classic cars for a [[Regularity rally|TSD rally]] in [[Mallorca]]: ([[Austin-Healey Sprite#Mark IV|Austin-Healey Sprite]] • [[Citroën Ami]] • [[Lanchester Fourteen#Post-war Fourteen and Leda|Lanchester LJ 200]]) | Aux3 = [[Brian Johnson]] • Madison Welch • Brian Wheeler | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|7|26|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.69 | ShortSummary = The team engage in a classic car rally in [[Majorca]], with three pre-1982 cars purchased at an auction—Hammond in a [[Lanchester Fourteen#Post-war Fourteen and Leda|Lanchester LJ 200]], Clarkson in a [[Austin-Healey Sprite]], and May in a [[Citroën Ami]]. After getting the cars prepped, they arrive late to win the Mallorca Classic Car Rally, and so compete against each other in the remaining events, aided by some unique assistant drivers chosen for them. Meanwhile, Clarkson reviews some ferocious dinosaurs on the track, in the form of the new [[BMW Z4 (E89)|BMW Z4]] and the replacement of the [[Nissan 350Z]], the [[Nissan 370Z|2009 Nissan 370Z]], while [[AC/DC]] front man, [[Brian Johnson]], sets out to make a quick lap with the Lacetti.

''Note'': A number of [[animatronic]]s borrowed from the ''[[Walking With Dinosaurs]]'' live theatrical show were borrowed by production staff for this episode. | LineColor = CC99CC }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 13 | EpisodeNumber = 112 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Aux1 = [[Vauxhall VXR8|Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst]] • [[HSV Maloo#E Series|HSV Maloo]] • [[Audi S4#B8 .28Typ 8K.2C 2009-.29|Audi S4]] • [[Aston Martin Vantage (2005)#V12 Vantage|Aston Martin V12 Vantage]] | Aux2 = Producing [[Volkswagen Scirocco#Scirocco III (2008–present)|Volkswagen Scirocco]] adverts | Aux3 = [[Jay Leno]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2009|8|02|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.11 | ShortSummary = Clarkson and May take on the challenge of creating a simple but effective TV advertisement for the new [[Volkswagen Scirocco#Scirocco III (2008–present)|2009 VW Scirocco TDi]], but, as is true with ''Top Gear'', their ambitious ideas of what it should be are truly rubbish and unimpressive for the advertising execs. Elsewhere, Hammond takes a look at a modified version of the VXR8, the [[Vauxhall VXR8]] Bathurst Edition, and the [[HSV Maloo|Maloo E Series]], while Clarkson drives a car he feels will be consigned to the history books—the [[Aston Martin Vantage (2005)#V12 Vantage|Aston Martin V12 Vantage]]. Meanwhile, the Lacetti gets driven around the track by American talk show host, [[Jay Leno]], who recounts an interesting story of how he avoided being done for speeding while showing off a car.

''Note'': The closing credits were played out to Ascent (An Ending) by [[Brian Eno]], rather than the ''Top Gear'' theme tune. | LineColor = CC99CC }} }}</onlyinclude>

=="Schumacher is the Stig" stunt== On 20 June 2009, the day before Series 13 was to premiere, Jeremy Clarkson announced in his newspaper column that the Stig would be showing his face on the first episode of the new series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2009/06/20/jc-stig-to-remove-helmet/ |title=JC: Stig to remove helmet |publisher=Top Gear (2002 TV series) |work=Top Gear News Blog |date=20 June 2009 |accessdate=27 August 2010 }}</ref><ref name=TIIS>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article6550528.ece |title=And the true identity of The Stig is . . . . Michael Schumacher |work=[[The Times]] |last=Malvern |first=Jack |date=22 June 2009 |accessdate=27 August 2010 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> During the episode, the Stig, who had been shown driving a black [[Ferrari FXX]] around the test track for a record-setting time of 1:10.7, walked into the studio, before joining Clarkson at the centre stage, whereupon he removed his helmet and revealed himself to be F1 driver [[Michael Schumacher]].<ref>[http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2009/06/20/jc-stig-to-remove-helmet/ Topgear.com]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/stig-revealed? |title=Stig Revealed! |publisher=topgear.com |accessdate=27 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624040248/http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/stig-revealed |archivedate=24 June 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/AUTOTRADER/CELEBRITYCARS/the_stig_revealed_on_top_gear.html |title=The Stig revealed on Top Gear |publisher=[[Auto Trader Group|Auto Trader]] |first=Adrian |last=Hearn |date=22 June 2009 |accessdate=27 August 2010 }}</ref> In the subsequent interview, Schumacher exhibited some of the Stig's supposedly defining character traits, such as knowing only two facts about ducks that were both wrong.<ref name=TIIS/> Before the episode ended, Clarkson showed a video clip of the Stig driving around in the [[Suzuki Liana]], where he was shown to exhibit very poor car control, while striking a camera tripod, and eventually getting lost, leaving the presenter to conclude that Schumacher was not truly the Stig after all.

Following the episode's broadcast, the [[BBC]] would not confirm if the Schumacher being revealed as the Stig was merely a stunt for the show, but ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' reported the following day that a spokesperson for the show had confirmed that Schumacher played the role of the Stig for the FXX's Power Lap, citing that Ferrari would not allow anyone, neither [[Ben Collins (racing driver)|Ben Collins]] (the man in the role of the Stig at the time) or anyone else, to drive the £1million car other than Schumacher, further adding that "the identity of the driver at other times would remain 'a mystery'."<ref name=WR>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/5601379/Top-Gear-who-really-is-The-Stig.html |title=Top Gear: who really is The Stig? |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=22 June 2009 |accessdate=27 August 2010 |location=London |first=Chris |last=Irvine }}</ref> The following episode, the lap time for the FXX, which was owned by Schumacher himself, was taken off the board after because it both failed to meet road legal standards and used [[Racing slick|slick tyres]].

==Criticism and controversy==

===Volkswagen Scirocco TDI advert film=== During the final episode of the series, Jeremy Clarkson and James May were assigned to produce an advert for the new [[Volkswagen Scirocco]], albeit a spoof of one. The segment received extensive complaints in regards to some of the content in it. One series of complaints was against a remake of a VW advertisement, which seemed to show the actor in it committing suicide on-screen, with [[Ofcom]] investigating and later ruling that there had been no editorial justification for its inclusion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.melonfarmers.co.uk/thread00367_top_gear.htm |title=Top Gear - Ofcom whinges at Top Gear spoof car adverts |publisher=melonfarmers.co.uk |date=12 November 2009 |accessdate=6 July 2016}}</ref> The other series of complaints was directed against Clarkson's spoof ad, which showed crowds of Polish people leaving [[Warsaw]] in terror on buses and trains, because of the imminent [[Invasion of Poland|German invasion of Poland]], ending with the line "Volkswagen Scirocco TDI: Berlin to Warsaw in one tank". {{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

==="Pikey" comment=== In an article for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Jodie Matthews accused the show, particularly Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, of using the word "[[pikey]]" during the final episode when discussing about the saloons that Hammond had been reviewing, or alluding to it as Clarkson did by claiming that one of the saloons would be a "perfect car for anyone whose business is selling pegs and heather". She further stated in her article that it would popularise the racist term for Gypsies and Travellers, reinforce traveller stereotypes and legitimise past racist attitudes that had been deemed no longer appropriate, further commenting that she hoped rumours that the motoring show wouldn't be returning (at the time her article was published), turned out to be true.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/aug/06/top-gear/ |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Jodie |last=Matthews |title=Top Gear goes backwards |date=6 August 2009|accessdate=6 July 2016}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:2009 British television seasons]] [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]]