Keeping a programme fresh & exciting all of the time is a major challenge. As viewers know, we have set a very high standard and are always striving to improve the format of each show. With this in mind, we are announcing the end of one of our most popular features “The Star in a Reasonably Priced Car”. But fear not, we have today commissioned an absolutely fantastic replacement “ANPR Police Interceptor Driver in a Outrageously Expensive Supercar”.
Starting with an officer from Greater Manchester Police, our first challenger was to complete circuits in a Volkswagen Golf R32. However, the vehicle has been withdrawn at short notice, as it is undergoing minor repairs following a slight accident in the Trafford Park area of Manchester on 15th December 2011.
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A GMP spokesperson commented “the whole of the roads policing team and especially the ANPR Interceptor team, were really excited about rearranging future participation in the show. You just cannot imagine how important off-road training is to the force. We have nowhere to go at the moment, so we have to practice on the street. Sadly we have been barred by all of the major supermarkets and out-of-town shopping centres from using their car parks for on the job training. The Top Gear track is ideal, and it is especially brilliant that we will only be allowed to complete in dry conditions - wet, slippery and icy conditions are really challenging and way above our current abilities. We were hoping to relocate to Sweden this winter, but there isn’t a ferry big enough to take all of our vehicles & support staff and a former Sea France ferry only became available this month”.
Future episodes of Top Gear will feature drivers from ANPR Interceptor teams around the UK. In keeping with the BBC’s recent campaign to reduce potential cost to the licence fee payer, police forces have agreed that their drivers will be allowed to participate in current force vehicles. Viewers can expect a wide range of vehicles to feature, including the Bugatti Veron, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 458, and a Maserati Quattroporte.
In the next episode, a Detective Chief Superintendent (ANPR Team Leader) will attempt to complete the course in an Ariel Atom. This awesome vehicle, local nickname “Avenger of Norwich” in full blue/yellow checkerboard livery, has been patrolling the motorway network of Greater Norfolk for the last 6 months – no doubt you will have seen it on your travels or on Anglia Region TV News.
Short Notice Tender Opportunity: The BBC Top Gear team is keen to hear from Paramedic, Air Ambulance Helicopter, Roadside Recovery, Fire & Rescue (Extraction Specialists) and MASH teams who wish to tender for support functions during preparation, dry runs and episode filming, to contact us via our Bush House Headquarters.