Top Gear series 9

{{EngvarB|date=September 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}} {{Infobox television season | series_number = 9 | bgcolour = #B0C4DE | image = | image_alt = | caption = | starring = {{Plainlist| *[[Jeremy Clarkson]] *[[Richard Hammond]] *[[James May]] *[[The Stig]] }} | num_episodes = 6 | network = [[BBC Two]] | first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2007|01|28}} | last_aired = {{end date|df=yes|2007|03|04}} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }}

Series 9 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 2007, and consisted of six episodes that were aired between 28 January and 4 March. Production on the series was delayed by several months when [[Richard Hammond]] was seriously injured after crashing the [[Vampire (car)|Vampire]] dragster racer whilst filming for the show; the first episode, which welcomed him back, showed the footage of this crash. This series was the first to introduce feature-length specials focused on road trips with motoring challenges, with other highlights including the presenters attempting to build a Space Shuttle with a [[Reliant Robin]], creating home-made stretch limos, and reaching top speed in the [[Bugatti Veyron]].

A compilation episode that was delayed by Hammond's accident, featuring the best moments of the eighth series and titled "Best of Top Gear", was aired on 1 March 2007. Two specials were aired after the series concluded, with the first being ''[[Top Gear of the Pops]]'' on 16 March, a crossover with the [[BBC]]'s music programme ''Top of the Pops'', focused mainly on musical performances in the programme's main studio. The second special was another feature-length motoring challenge, titled ''[[Top Gear: Polar Special]]'', which was aired on 25 July, focused on the presenters attempting to reach the 1998 location of the [[North Pole]]. The ninth series received criticism over some of its footage, including airing a mocked-up rail safety clip shortly after a major rail accident, while its ''Polar Special'' was criticised for attempting to debunk climate change concerns. {{-}} == Episodes == {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude> {{Episode table |background=#B0C4DE |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 9 | EpisodeNumber = 75 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = [[Jaguar XK (X150)|Jaguar XKR]] • [[Aston Martin Vantage (2005)|Aston Martin V8 Vantage]] | Aux2 = Roadworks in 24 hours • Hammond's Vampire dragster crash aftermath | Aux3 = [[Jamie Oliver]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|1|28|df=y}} | Viewers = 8.13 | ShortSummary = Clarkson and May welcome back Hammond after his near-death experience in the [[Vampire (car)|Vampire]], before proceeding with business as usual as the trio see if they can improve the duration of [[Road construction#Construction|road repairs]], by taking on the job of resurfacing a stretch of the D5481 [sic] near [[Bidford-on-Avon]] themselves and completing it within 24 hours rather than a week. But chaos soon ensues, as May's detours causes traffic mishap, Clarkson's motivational speeches annoy everyone, and there are supply issues with the [[Asphalt concrete|tarmac]]. Meanwhile, Clarkson pits the [[Jaguar X150|Jaguar XKR]] against the [[Aston Martin Vantage (2005)|Aston Martin V8 Vantage]] on the track to see which is better, chef [[Jamie Oliver]] returns to see if he can be faster than fellow chef and rival [[Gordon Ramsay]], and the trio look at the footage of Hammond's Vampire dragster crash.

''Note'': After its broadcast, the BBC aired three repeats of this episode, but it was never repeated again after this due to the footage of Hammond's crash. However, this episode was added to (in its original form) on [[BBC iPlayer]] in 2021 along with all other episodes (including ones that have been edited). | LineColor = B0C4DE }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | EpisodeNumber = 76 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = None | Aux2 = [[Bugatti Veyron]] to top speed at [[Ehra-Lessien]] • Shootout: Golf and Art in Coupes costing less than £25,000 ([[Audi TT#TT Mk2 (Type 8J, 2006–2014)|Audi TT]] • [[Mazda RX-8#Initial release (2002–2008)|Mazda RX-8]] • [[Alfa Romeo Brera]]). | Aux3 = [[Hugh Grant]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|2|4|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.20 | ShortSummary = The guys head out to Scotland to see which is the best stylish coupés, discussing them over a game of golf and then presenting them to the [[Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art]] to see which would be exhibited there—Clarkson feels it is the revised [[Audi TT#TT Mk2 (Type 8J, 2006–2014)|Audi TT]], Hammond believes it is the old [[Mazda RX-8#Initial release (2002–2008)|Mazda RX-8]], and May hopes it is the new [[Alfa Romeo Brera]]. Meanwhile, May attempts to prove that the [[Bugatti Veyron]] can reach its top speed of 407 km/h (253 mph) on Volkswagen's [[Ehra-Lessien]] test track, and actor [[Hugh Grant]] is talking about his car history before seeing how he fared in the Lacetti.

''Note'': This episode was originally due to have a segment where Clarkson created a mock [[public information film]] featuring a train crashing into a car to demonstrate the dangers of stopping on a [[level crossing]]. This segment was dropped prior to broadcast and was instead shown three episodes later. Because of this, the episode has a reduced run-time of 53 minutes instead of the typical hour.

| LineColor = B0C4DE }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | EpisodeNumber = 77 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = None – [[Top Gear: US Special|US Special]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear: US Special|US Special]]: ([[Chevrolet Camaro (third generation)|Chevrolet Camaro RS]] • [[Dodge Ram|Dodge Ram 150]] • [[Cadillac Brougham]]) | Aux3 = None | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|2|11|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.18 | ShortSummary = The trio try to see if it is better to purchase a car rather than [[Car rental|renting one out]]. With [[USD|$]]1000 to find a used car, each search around Miami for a good deal – Clarkson picks up a 1989 [[Chevrolet Camaro (third generation)|Chevrolet Camaro RS]] with a suspicious history to it, Hammond goes all American and takes a [[Dodge Ram]] pick-up truck, and May gets a rather bouncy and slow, 1989 [[Cadillac Brougham]]. With their cars, the presenters then begin a journey along the US South Coast, heading for [[New Orleans]], where along the way they stop at a [[Palm Beach International Raceway|raceway]] to find out how fast each car is and see how good the brakes are without going into an alligator-infested river, seek out roadkill for an evening meal, and decorate their cars with slogans which might lead to them getting shot at in [[Alabama]], which soon proves to be rather a bad idea. Upon reaching their destination, the trio's final task is to see how well they can give their cars away to those who need it, with assistance from a local Christian mission. In the closing studio segment Clarkson also revealed that after filming of the last segment of the film had been done, a lawyer had approached the group representing the mission and threatened to sue them for misrepresentation after it transpired that Clarkson's Camaro wasn't a 1991 model as promised but a 1989 model, further stating that they were told the lawsuit would be dropped on a settlement payment of US$20,000, before May added that after the lawyer had seen them, a group of "burly" men arrived and told them to "get off their street".

''Note'': The closing credits replaced the first name of the presenters and crew members with references to American [[redneck]] stereotypes. | LineColor = B0C4DE }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | EpisodeNumber = 78 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = [[Brabus#Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, SLK-Class and SLS-Class|Brabus S Biturbo roadster]] (based on a [[Mercedes-Benz R230#SL65 AMG|Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG]]) • [[Porsche 997#Turbo|Porsche 911 Turbo]] | Aux2 = [[Reliant Robin]] Space Shuttle challenge | Aux3 = [[Simon Pegg]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|2|18|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.51 | ShortSummary = Hammond and May see if it is possible to convert a 1992 [[Reliant Robin]] into a [[Space Shuttle]], with help from the British Amateur Rocket Society, but have 12 days to build it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/amazing-space-launch-for-delboy-s-motor-1-642185 |title=Amazing space launch for .Delboy's motor! |access-date=21 February 2007 |last=Bellicoso |first=Louise |date=15 February 2007 |work=Buxton Advertiser |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109183656/http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/amazing-space-launch-for-delboy-s-motor-1-642185 |archive-date=9 November 2012}} ''While the show alludes to a 12-day build, in reality, it took over 4 months to build the final product.''</ref> They soon face a tough ordeal, with complicated engineering, but are highly ambitious of success and the hope of proving Clarkson wrong that the idea is preposterous. Meanwhile, Clarkson is seeing how good the [[Brabus#Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, SLK-Class and SLS-Class|Brabus S Biturbo roadster]] is, the result of a modifying company's work on the already monstrous 6.0L twin-turbo V12 [[Mercedes-Benz R230|SL 65 AMG]], before putting aside his Bias for a review of the latest [[Porsche 997#Turbo|Porsche 911 Turbo]]. Meanwhile British actor Simon Pegg talks about his part in the film, ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'', and sees how fast he was in the Lacetti. | LineColor = B0C4DE }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | EpisodeNumber = 79 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Lamborghini Murciélago#Murciélago LP 640 (2006–2010)|Lamborghini Murciélago LP640]] | Aux2 = Railway crossing hazard video • Tractor challenge ([[JCB Fastrac|JCB Fastrac 8250]] • [[Case STX Steiger|Case STX Steiger 530]] • [[Fendt|Fendt 930 Vario]]): Home-made [[biofuel]] • Top Gear survey 2006 results | Aux3 = [[Kristin Scott Thomas]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|2|25|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.58 | ShortSummary = The trio decide to grow their own petrol, but first must get to grips with some tractors they will use for the job – Clarkson chooses a speedy [[JCB Fastrac|JCB Fastrac 8250]], Hammond goes with a monstrous [[Case STX Steiger|Case STX Steiger 530]], and May picks the complicated controls of the [[Fendt|Fendt 930 Vario]]. After putting them through their paces with a series of challenges at the test track, including setting a slower time than (the late) [[Richard Whiteley]], and competing in a "Drag" race, the boys head to the 25 acres they've rented out to plough it before planting their own [[Brassica napus|rapeseed biofuel]]. Meanwhile, Clarkson finds out how much of a hypercar the new [[Lamborghini Murciélago#LP640|Lamborghini Murciélago LP640]] is, and creates a Public Service Video in regards to [[level crossing]]s. Actress (and Cool Wall muse) [[Kristin Scott Thomas]] is in the Lacetti and discussing about the various cars on the Cool Wall. | LineColor = B0C4DE }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | EpisodeNumber = 80 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Aux1 = [[Shelby Mustang#2007–2009 Ford Shelby GT500|Shelby Mustang GT500]] | Aux2 = [[Stretch limo]]s from ordinary cars ([[Fiat_Panda#Mk2_(141a;_1986)|Fiat Panda]] • [[MG F / MG TF#Mark II|MG F]] • [[Alfa Romeo 164]] & [[Saab 9000#9000 CS (liftback)|Saab 9000]]) | Aux3 = [[Billie Piper]] • [[Chris Moyles]] • [[Jamelia]] • [[Lemar]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|3|4|df=y}} | Viewers = 8.12 | ShortSummary = The trio build their own limos and see who can make the best – Clarkson extends a 1992 [[Fiat Panda]] into a humongous limo, Hammond makes an open top limo out of a 1996 [[MG F]], while May uses the front ends of a 1994 [[Saab 9000]] and a 1996 [[Alfa Romeo 164]] to make a conjoined limo. On the test track, they test each others out, before seeing how good they are in a number of challenges, before transporting a VIP to the [[Brit Awards]], with Clarkson chauffeuring [[BBC Radio 1]]'s [[Chris Moyles]], Hammond taking [[Jamelia]], and May driving [[Lemar]], with varying degrees of trouble. Elsewhere, Hammond is test-driving the latest [[Shelby Mustang#2007–2009 Ford Shelby GT500|Shelby Mustang GT500]], and actress [[Billie Piper]] is seeing if she is faster than the Ninth Doctor as the latest star in the reasonably priced car. | LineColor = B0C4DE }} }}</onlyinclude>

===Best-of episodes=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;" |- ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Total ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | No. ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Feature ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Original air date

{{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | EpisodeNumber = S9 | EpisodeNumber2 = CE | Title = The Best of Top Gear: 2006 | Aux1 = Best Moments from Series 8 | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|3|1|df=y}} | ShortSummary = A look back at some of the best moments from Series 8.

''Note'': This episode was due to be broadcast before the start of the series, but due to Hammond's severe crash, it was postponed indefinitely. When the repeat of the fifth episode of Series 9 was pulled, this episode was shown in its place. | LineColor = B0C4DE }} |}

===Spin-Off Special=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;" |- ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Guest(s) ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Original air date {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | Title = [[Top Gear of the Pops]] | Aux1 = [[Travis (band)|Travis]], [[McFly]], [[Supergrass]], [[Lethal Bizzle]], [[Justin Hawkins]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|3|16|df=y}} | ShortSummary = ''Top Gear'' does a special edition of ''Top of the Pops'', with boyband [[McFly]] challenged to write and perform a song with the words "sofa," "Hyundai," and "administration" but not "love", "baby," or "heart". There are performances by [[Lethal Bizzle]], [[Travis (band)|Travis]], guest [[Adrian Edmondson]] is on guitar alongside [[Supergrass]], and the trio support [[Justin Hawkins]] with the closing number.

''Note'': Complaints were raised by viewers following this special, in regard to James May throwing birds onto the stage of one of the performances that the trio were handling special effects for.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} | LineColor = B0C4DE }} |}

===Special episode=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;" |- ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Total ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | No. ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Feature ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Guest(s) ! scope="col" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Original air date {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 9 | EpisodeNumber = SP | EpisodeNumber2 = SP | Title = [[Top Gear: Polar Special]] | Aux1 = Race to North Pole: Modified [[Toyota Hilux]] vs. Dog Sled | Aux2 = [[Sir Ranulph Fiennes]] | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2007|7|25|df=y}} | ShortSummary = {{main|Top Gear: Polar Special}} In this special edition of ''Top Gear'', the presenters take part in a race to see who can reach the [[Magnetic North Pole]] first. While Hammond attempts to get their first with a sled pulled by a team of ten [[Canadian Eskimo Dog|Canadian Inuit dogs]] and the aid of American explorer [[Matty McNair]], Clarkson and May see if they can beat him with a specially adapted [[Toyota Hilux]] pick-up truck, all while seeing if a car can achieve the impossible and make it to the Pole for the first time. Prior to the challenge, the boys first underwent arctic training, learning how to pitch a tent and what to do if you fall in freezing cold water, before getting insight into the risks they would encounter from [[Sir Ranulph Fiennes]]. On their race from [[Resolute, Nunavut]] to the Pole, the group would deal with mountainous land masses, thin ice, polar bears, freezing arctic weather, and a massive ice boulder maze, which for the Hilux, will be the toughest test it has ever undergone.

''Note'': This special did not feature an opening title sequence to it. In addition, each person credited in the special's closing credits had their first name replaced with "Sir Ranulph" in homage to Sir Ranulph Fiennes (e.g. "Sir Ranulph Clarkson", "Sir Ranulph Hammond", etc.). This was the first episode of Top Gear to be shown in [[high-definition television|high-definition]]. | LineColor = B0C4DE }} |}

==Criticism and controversy== {{main|Criticism of Top Gear}}

==="Mental" comments=== Following the broadcast of the first episode of the series, several viewers complained after watching Clarkson ask Hammond how he felt after the crash with the question "Are you now a mental?", before witnessing May offer him a tissue in case he "dribbled". In response to the complaints, the [[BBC]] claimed that the comments had been merely made as a joke, but realised they would have caused offence to mentally disabled and brain-damaged viewers, and thus apologised for failing to consider this.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.examiner.ie/breaking/index.aspx?c=ireland&jp=mhaukfauaukf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315000318/http://www.examiner.ie/breaking/index.aspx?c=ireland&jp=mhaukfauaukf |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 March 2008 |title=BBC apologises after Clarkson calls Hammond 'mental' |publisher=[[Irish Examiner]] |date=6 March 2007 |access-date=28 July 2008}}</ref>

===US Special: Cow on Camaro=== Following the airing of the US Special, both the [[BBC]] and the UK media regulator [[Ofcom]] received 91 complaints in regards to the scene in which Clarkson drove to the trio's campsite with a cow tied to his [[Camaro]]. In response to this, the BBC defended the programme by stating that the cow had not been harmed or injured by Clarkson and that it had died several days previously before the scene was filmed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/bulletins/br/article/632286/top-gear-dead-cow-stunt-garners-69-public-complaints-/ |title=Top Gear dead cow stunt garners 91 public complaints |date=12 February 2007 |access-date=28 July 2008 |work=Brand Republic |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701014951/http://www.brandrepublic.com/bulletins/br/article/632286/top-gear-dead-cow-stunt-garners-69-public-complaints-/ |archive-date=1 July 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Level crossing public service video=== During episode 5, Clarkson filmed a segment in which he did a public service video about level crossings, with a reconstruction organised by [[Network Rail]] as part of their ''Don't Run The Risk'' campaign. However, the segment was heavily criticised after it had been aired. Some of the criticism it garnered was due to the fact that it was broadcast two days after the [[Grayrigg derailment|Cumbria train crash]], even though the crash had not been caused by a track incursion. Other criticism was on the reconstruction by Network Rail, with Anthony Smith, chief executive of the rail watchdog [[Passenger Focus]], stating that "We need to raise awareness of the issue, but now is not the right time."<ref name=TGTrain>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6394845.stm |title=Top Gear to screen train stunt |access-date=7 July 2016 |publisher=[[BBC News Online|BBC News]] |date=25 February 2007}}</ref> However, because the item had been delayed for several weeks due to an earlier fatal level crossing crash, it was decided that with only one more programme remaining in the series along with the frequency of level crossing accidents, that there was no other "appropriate" time to show the film without "offending" somebody.

A repeat of the episode was due to be aired on 1 March 2007, but because of another death on a level crossing that had occurred earlier that morning,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/6407025.stm |publisher=[[BBC News Online|BBC News]] |title=One dead in level crossing crash |date=1 March 2007 |access-date=15 April 2007}}</ref> it was decided that the repeat would not be shown. Instead, it was replaced with the "Best of Top Gear" episode that had been postponed by Hammond's crash.

===Polar Special=== Following the broadcast of the ''Polar Special'', the [[BBC Trust]] found that the scene in which both Jeremy Clarkson and James May were shown to be drinking a [[gin and tonic]] whilst driving through an ice field, could "glamorise the misuse of alcohol" and that it "was not editorially justified in the context of a family show [[Watershed (television)|pre-watershed]]", despite the producer's claiming they were beyond the jurisdiction of drink driving laws, and Clarkson stating on the programme that he was not driving but "sailing" (piloting a vehicle on (frozen) water as opposed to actual land).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7485313.stm |publisher=[[BBC News Online|BBC News]] |title=Top Gear rapped for alcohol use |date=2 July 2008 |access-date=3 July 2008}}</ref>

In addition, Emily Armistead, a speaker of [[Greenpeace]], heavily criticised the episode. In an article by the ''[[Daily Express]]'', she condemned the feature as being "highly irresponsible", further adding that ''Top Gear'' had taken some of most polluting vehicles on the road to try to destroy the Arctic quicker than climate change was and that Clarkson "represented some [[climate sceptic|climate-sceptic]] views and for someone to be on national television saying that is quite alarming."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/13538/Top-Gear-team-in-hot-water-over-Pole-race|title=Top Gear team in hot water over Pole race|author=David Stephenson|newspaper=[[Daily Express]]|date=15 July 2007}}</ref>

The final car destination shows [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=78_35_7_N_104_11_09_W 78°35'07.0"N 104°11'09.0"W] as the North Pole, which is somewhere west of [[Ellef Ringnes Island]], and was the location of the [[North magnetic pole|Magnetic North Pole]] in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/magnetic-north-pole-location-1996/view/google/|title = Magnetic North Pole Location, 1996 in Ellef Ringnes Island, Canada (Google Maps)|date = 13 July 2006}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:2007 British television seasons]] [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]]