The peoples' democratic blog of Matt Hayward

Top Gear is in Jeremy Clarkson’s own words a true boys’ own adventure. It’s a show that captures the hopes and dreams of all red blooded men in the same way books and radio serials used to in the olden days. And in a way that hasn’t captivated the masses since the days of crystal sets and penny comics. And that’s exactly why it’s hard to pin point your favourite 10 episodes.

Quite literally, Top Gear is that great tiny, chintzy looking Asian restaurant that has punters lined up out the door. While other motoring shows are the classier, much emptier restaurant next door catering to the scraps of punters left out in the cold.

Anyway, here goes. Would love to hear your favs in the comments section too.

1. The Norweigan challenge [season 6, episode 6]. Arguably the best ever IMHO. Blazing through Europe in a McLaren Mercedes against everything the ocean had to offer. This was a true epic because they blitzed Autobahns, and half of Scandinavia in two days. As always with incorporable wit and superb cinematography.
2. The truffle challenge [series 7, episode 5]. The boys raced a private Cessna plane from Italy to London against tempestuous Clarkson in a Bugatti Veyron. Winner got to eat their truffle at the top of London.
3. The first US challenge [season 9, episode 3]. Proof that even the worst American cars have charm and rednecks really do throw rocks.
4. The £10 super car challenge [season 7, episode 4]. Debunking pub myths of cheap Ferraris and Maseratis has never been so funny. And Ellen MacArthur was brilliant as a Star In A Reasonably Priced Car.
5. The French supercar episode [season 7, episode 3]. Upstaging the Parisians is pretty hard to do. Although nothing cuts through the French mustard like an impromptu supercar cruise down the Champs Elysee. And despite all the bravado, you felt like a fly on the wall on a mates’ weekend away. Well some very rich mates.
6. The Audi RS4 episode [series 7, episode 2]. Jeremy races two rock climbers up the alps in an Audi V8 that roars like Thor’s plumbing. Epic photography and suspense.
7. The Vietnam challenge [season 12, episode 8]. This was a Boxing Day special that proved that you don’t need a billionaire rides to make epic television (well maybe a billion dollar crew). Just a great challenge, a dodgy scooter and a sublime location. Oh yeah, and that after five or so years, they’ve still got it.
8. The second US challenge [season 12, episode 2]. So ladden with irony and contempt for the septics, but with a boyish zeal for the Bonneville salt planes and the vast, lonely planes of the modern day wild west. Just awesome.
9. The British Leyland challenge [season 10, episode 7]. Keeping the boyish fervour going, they prove that despite the cars of your child hood truly being shitful, there’s still great fun to be had revisiting the past.
10. Jame’s Aston Martin episode [season 3, episode 6]. One small segment rather than a challenge. But that’s all James needs to but the bulldog in British and show just how and why a classic Aston can cut it with the best. A master of pub raconteuring at his finest.

Well that was fun. In that top 10, they’ve covered most of Europe and the States. Throw in the African and Polar specials and you have to wonder when they’re going be real men and cross the Nullabor Plane or something in Australia. God how I wish they would. Roll on series 13.