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THE timing simply couldn’t be higher.
We will all have some acquainted faces in our houses this Christmas in spite of everything.
The Grand Tour returns for a Christmas episode
That’s as a result of after a whole 12 months of ready, and a fairly garbage 12 months at that, Clarkson, Hammond and May are again to remind us they nonetheless make the perfect automobile present on TV.
The brand new episode of The Grand Tour drops at one minute previous midnight tonight on Prime Video.
And I’d like to see the stats as a result of I’m assured lots of people will look forward to it. In case you are undecided, take it from me: It’s value it.
You’ll see automobiles, explosions, beautiful surroundings, a giant dollop of silliness and a Hammond damage. Just about enterprise as typical, then. And as comforting as a bowl of sizzling soup in January.
The lads go on a pirate treasure hunt within the particular
Besides this time they’re seeking pirate treasure in a 90-minute particular referred to as A Large Hunt.
Clarkson stated: “Hammond is obsessive about pirates. I feel they’re simply aquatic burglars. Or wife-beaters. However I used to be very interested by the place this quest would take us: Madagascar.”
The movie begins with a drag race on the costliest stretch of tarmac on this planet, a hoop street constructed on stilts out to sea.
However quickly the trio discover themselves on what’s formally the worst street on this planet. Clarkson in an armour-plated Bentley, Might in a Caterham and Hammond in a Ford Focus RS on tank treads.
Hammond, Might and Clarkson are a …sand of brothers
Clarkson stated: “Each my colleagues made unwise selections so far as the automobiles are involved. They actually did undergo terribly. After I bought into camp each evening, I used to be three bottles in by the point these two turned up.
“Richard Hammond didn’t crash, which is an unbelievable achievement. But when he tells you he burned his bits with a self-heating military ration meal . . . he did. That’s a really humorous scene.”
As is the “Swiss knee” gag. As is the bit the place the seashore will get blown up. Clarkson stated: “I see no level in utilizing instruments when you could have explosives. Explosives require much less effort. I like explosives.”
You may study extra concerning the automobiles and Madagascar and different little nuggets from my Zoom chats elsewhere on these pages.
Richard Hammond on the seashore in Madagascar
As a result of from right here on out, I’ve different information.
The boys have already filmed the subsequent particular — in Scotland, driving American classics — after Covid scuppered the unique plan to go to Russia.
Government producer Andy Wilman stated: “The automobiles had been so sensible, Richard, Jeremy and James had been on their A-game instantly.
“I can not wait to get this movie out. It’s like, ‘Yep, f*** you Covid, we will do that and it’s nearly as good as a giant one’.”
James Might turned his Caterham into ‘a dune buggy’
Might added: “It proved we don’t want an unique location to do that. The vital factor is you could have us three doing one thing we like and buggering about.
‘WE’LL KEEP GOING AS LONG AS WE CAN’
“In case you’re watching The Grand Tour from Sri Lanka, Scotland is as unique and delightful as Sri Lanka is from Scotland. So there’s all the time going to be a big a part of the viewers which finds anyplace on this planet fascinating.”
And after that? When will the band get again collectively?
Hammond stated: “The tales aren’t going away, the locations we go to aren’t going away, our want to go there in new and ridiculous methods is just not going away, so we’ll hold going so long as we will.
The lads on their marks with Bentley, Caterham and Ford Focus
“We’re conscious that we’re very fortunate. Once you’re a number on a present — among the best issues about that present being that it’s escapism and journey and journey and unique automobiles — it’s nice for the viewers however we’re nonetheless appreciative of the very fact additionally it is amazingly good for us.
“Although typically it’s uncomfortable for actual, or harmful for actual, we’ll hold doing that so long as persons are ready to observe us.”
Wonderful.
Now set a reminder for 00:01 tonight.
Subsequent up, the Grand Tour goes to Scotland
Clarkson

. . . on his Bentley Continental GT
LET me put it this fashion, other than the Alfa GTV6, it’s the one automobile from a particular I’ve introduced again to reside with me.
I simply fully fell in love with it. It’s only a fabulous piece of engineering. However then got here phrase from the DVLA. As a result of it began its life as a improvement mule, my beloved automobile has to go to the crusher.
. . . on Madagascar
IT is simply constructed for tv. You’re driving alongside the street and you’ve got that verdant inexperienced jungle to your left after which that impossibly blue sea to your proper with the white seashores with nothing and no person on them.
You’re going alongside, and you understand there’s a drone up there with a 4K digital camera on it, and also you simply assume that is going to look – and certainly it does – completely spectacular.
. . . on the opposite two
NOTHING modifications, not even barely. We simply wind one another up or we expect, “I can cheer myself up by annoying Hammond by some means”. Or Might, and it’s very straightforward to harass Might – simply converse and he’ll be irritated.
“However sure, it was a great, enjoyable journey. Chemistry can’t be manufactured. We’re in a position to simply get on with it, which is a blessing.
Might

. . . on his Caterham Seven 310R
I TURNED the Caterham right into a form of dune buggy, I feel it appeared cool.
I do know if I get showered in s**t or one thing, viewers adore it. Anyway, all of it showered off after a few months. After we bought residence I noticed a Caterham drive by and I believed, “That appears silly, the wheels are too small, it’s simply all unsuitable”.
. . . on the worst street ever
WE had been driving off small cliffs. It wasn’t only a bit tough, or a bit lumpy, it was a boulder discipline in locations. It doesn’t actually serve the time period street and even observe, you’re simply driving over the surroundings.
At instances I used to be driving alongside and other people strolling had been overtaking me. I actually like this movie, I feel it’s good knockabout enjoyable. It has a form of household panto ambiance to it, we’re happy with that. We prefer it.
Hammond

. . . on his Ford Focus RS
THE tank tracks had been superb however maybe are extra designed with snow in thoughts. I used to be somewhat heavy-handed, as has occurred up to now. However I used to be staggered by what it took.
It by no means ceases to amaze me what an apparently peculiar street automobile will take. Except it’s your individual through which case you’ll discover it received’t.
. . . on Bear Grylls
HAMMOND mocks Bear Grylls by telling viewers to “Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.”
I really like what he does and I really like survival stuff as a result of I’m somewhat boy at coronary heart. The man is the true deal. However in case you set your self up a bit, in case you’re there advising anyone the right way to do these items, we’re type of duty-bound to mock him. However he’s a star at what he does, there’s no denying.
. . . on being unfortunate
THE purpose we’re fortunate collectively is that we’re weirdly unfortunate. Jeremy summed it up lately once we had been speaking. He stated: “It’s very bizarre after I do stuff in my very own life, I don’t fall over, issues don’t catch fireplace, automobiles don’t break down or explode, or boats sink, or no matter, however once we’re all collectively they simply do.”
And that’s why we’re fortunate. It simply occurs.
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