Top Gear, we're of course speaking of the original BBC/UK version here, is now in its 20th series. With its well-earned reputation as the favorite show of gearheads, many think of attending the show when visiting England. Who wouldn’t want to see the hilarious banter of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond for themselves?
As it turns out, this wildly popular show really is “wildly popular” – with a live-filming audience wait list of approximately 4 years! So if you’re thinking of joining in on the action, get on the wait list before booking airline tickets. For the lucky few who are on list, and others who are merely curious, we thought we’d share what a day at a Top Gear filming is really like…
Arriving late is the last thing you want to do if you’re on the list – you won’t get in. The filming location is just over an hour’s drive from London, once there you’ll idle in a single-file line while staff check you in. This is your first glance of other attendees vehicles, you'll notice that most people are as much a car geek as you - a wide variety of vehicles show up, from Ferraris to Fiats. Not through by the time noted? The show must go on…
Your bracelet will assign you to designated areas surrounding the stage. Near or far, this is where you’re stuck…unless of course you happen to be a good looking lass - in that case you may get moved stage-side. As the show notes, they don’t want to end up with “a bunch of ugly male car geeks ruining everyone’s Sunday night!” Which is also the reason they ask applicants to keep a 50/50, male/female ratio.
You’ll get some time to explore the huge filming warehouse, seeing some of the infamous show vehicles. Don’t forget to bring appropriate clothes for the weather, because their “low-rent” warehouse has a lot of things, but climate control is not one of them. If it happens to be winter, we can't nail this point home enough...bring scarves, hats, and gloves!
Eventually Jeremy, James and Richard will come out and filming will commence. If you’re lucky, one may stop to say hi and allow you to snap a picture (just don’t expect it to be Jeremy).
Above all else, the thing that makes the wait and hassle of getting to a Top Gear filming worthwhile is the chance to hear all the off-camera banter between the hosts. While it may not be “PC,” it will be hilarious!
We suggest packing a snack or two in your pockets before arriving, as you may get hungry. During the 6 hour filming, you’ll be given the predictable English tea (cold) and biscuits (stale).
As you're headed off into the sunset, rev your engines for the exit down the landing strip - as it will be your only opportunity to go fast on the Top Gear track. You're guaranteed to have seen a few interesting cars, met other quirky "car geeks" and been thoroughly entertained!
Put your own name on the waitlist now, and here’s to hoping Top Gear will continue on for many years come! The only change we could ask for is that they put the audience behind the wheel from time to time…who knows, someone may give The Stig a run for his money!
-Kristin Cline
