[URL]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5365676.stm[/URL]
I'd never heard of him until watching the news last night. It's a tragedy it wasn't that twat Clarkson instead. -- Ian
I heard about this on the radio this morning, I hope he gets well soon, but also hope he now realises that, just cos your a prity face on TV doesn't mean you have any driving tallant, keep to sitting on the sofa and leave the driving to those who know what they're doing! (same goes for Clarkson!) That's why I prefer 5th gear, at least 3 of the presenters are experienced racing drivers, so KNOW what they're talking about and can, err DRIVE!!
True, That Tiff fella on 5th Gear can really hammer a car around a track and do a full-on commentary at the same time. As predicted, there is a media witch hunt to find out if the BBC had let slip on their safety standards. The guy was in a jet car topping 300mph FFS. As soon as he agreed to do it, all normal safety standards were out the bloody window.
I hope he gets better soon for his wife and kids. He's brought a lot to the show too - without him I doubt James May could dampen Jeremy Clarkson's ego. I somehow suspect the rocket powered car was his idea! This is Mr. Braniac...
ya actually surprised that he didn't just strap a rocket to a shopping trolley As the old saying goes, if you play with fire you will get burned.
Well he was able to speak to the fire crew after the crash so hopefully there will not be any long term brain damage. I like Richard Hammond a lot but he was a selfish sod. The reason I say this is he had a family, when you have a family you need to think about them before taking such stupid risks. I hope he gets well soon and he is back on Top Gear before we know, some how I doubt he will be on Top Gear again though
Absolubly, you don't pull a stunt like that with a wife and family. Like you say, he seems a nice guy, hope he gets better soon.
Wow, how pleasant people are... 1) How do you know what hammond's driving credentials are or aren't? He may not have been a racing driver, but there's plenty of very good drivers out there who aren't. 2) Maybe his family supported him in his wishes to do such things? As for wishing ill on others, that's rather a poor attitude I think. I hope he makes a full recovery.
If, thatwas pointed at me, Isaac, I think may have missed my point. True, his wife may hve supported him but you still have to think twise about doing these things. My Dad/Brother could have fancied sailing around the world.......but havent for precisely this reason. I think your attack was a little unjustified!
whilst clarkson leans towards the demagogic rant sometimes - the last time some idiot bus driver nearly had me off my bike i too wished someone would shoot the twunt in the face. now whilst this isn't my usual attitude towards public transport and it's drivers i can understand jezzers point of view. that and the fact that he's more of an observational commedian these days than a serious reporter. as for taking risks and family - it's a fine line - risk taking in moderate amounts can be a great stress buster, as is doing what you love. how risky therefore is not doing these things - plus adding the stress of the possibility of losing your job because you refuse to do certain things? ulcers, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and indirectly obesity and cancer. all have links to stress as causes so who's to say the hamster was being irresponsible when he chose to get into that car. also i think it's supremely arrogant to make judgements on other peoples choices without knowing all the facts, just wish the guy well and leave the nastier side of human nature in it's pit.
I wouldn't normally regard myself as an arrogant person, Julian! Perhapts I shouldn't have contributed in the first place! Maybe thats the answer! (thinking about it I really think its a valid point of view rather than arrogance but I suspect we'll have to agree to differ) cheers, David
I'm not convinced Hammond's risk was a big as some people are making out. Every day those of us who drive, cycle or walk near roadtraffic make a much bigger leap of faith. All that stands between me and a 38 tonne truck travelling at up to 50 MPH in the opposite direction is a bit of white paint. A moments lapse in concentration by either of us and my chances of survival would be significantly slimmer than Richard Hammonds. There's no safety cage for me. No emergency services on instant standby. So who exactly is taking the bigger risk? I've watched a Top Gear where RH was driving a Pagani Zonda on twisty mountain roads in the rain. A rock face on one side and sheer drops of hundreds of feet on the other; that would terrify me more than the rocket car stunt. It's all a matter of perspective. Let's just wish the guy a speedy recovery and leave his family out of it.
