Top Gear USA

[viper_larry]

Went to the filming of Top Gear USA today. Was a good day out, but basically they are taking the best bits of the last few series and just recording extra chat leading into the VT. If you've seen the UK version, you will have seen all the VT.

Today's show featured in the Studio:

Pagani Zonda
Aston Martin DB9
Aston Martin Vantage
Ferrari 575 Maranello
Jaguar XJR
Chrysler 300C
Vauxhall Monaro VXR
Mercedes G Wagon
Mercedes SLR (in the car park)

Quite a good turnout! Mrs Viper is happy now she has a photo with Mr Hammond

[bilko2]

Great pics mate. I love that SLK!, Just noticed the wheels, do the blades help cool the ceramic brakes?

[rico]

bilko2 said:

Great pics mate. I love that SLK!, Just noticed the wheels, do the blades help cool the ceramic brakes?

SLR

[bilko2]

rico said:

bilko2 said: Great pics mate. I love that SLK!, Just noticed the wheels, do the blades help cool the ceramic brakes? SLR

Yeah that's what i meant
Erm... it's these hands of mine; enormous they are!, like great big spades

[chris1roll]

the blades on the wheels are turning the wrong way to cool the brakes aren't they?

[KingRichard]

Doesn't matter which way they pull the air, if its coming from the inside out and still flowing over the brakes it will do the job surely? I expect to be shot down on this one

[bilko2]

nope you may be right kingrichard. the only other car i know of that has wheels designed to do this is that new skyline. Going to try and find some info.

[triple7]

Whose was the XKR?

[jimbro1000]

If they had all that nice kit today it doesn't leave much for tomorrow

Just hope they have something nice for me to oggle at...

[GavinPearson]

I'm pleasantly surprised they're sending Top Gear out to us - though I am curious as to which station it's going to be broadcast on. SPEED Channel has 5th gear, so will this be on BBC America or Spike? It makes a significant difference to me as you need to pay $30 extra a month to get the BBC, and it's just not worth it.

[viperdave]

GavinPearson said:

I'm pleasantly surprised they're sending Top Gear out to us - though I am curious as to which station it's going to be broadcast on. SPEED Channel has 5th gear, so will this be on BBC America or Spike? It makes a significant difference to me as you need to pay $30 extra a month to get the BBC, and it's just not worth it.

It was being made for discovery so will be on one of their channels, hopefully repeated on UK discovery also as a best of or something.

we had a top day today with all that shiny kit.

[Ahonen]

KingRichard said:

Doesn't matter which way they pull the air, if its coming from the inside out and still flowing over the brakes it will do the job surely? I expect to be shot down on this one

You're right, the airflow passes out through the wheels, which means it exits into the high-speed flow at the side of the car. The shape of the spokes might assist this slightly.

For brake cooling you ram the air in at the front and throw it out at the sides.

[bruciebabie]

Ahonen said:

KingRichard said: Doesn't matter which way they pull the air, if its coming from the inside out and still flowing over the brakes it will do the job surely? I expect to be shot down on this one You're right, the airflow passes out through the wheels, which means it exits into the high-speed flow at the side of the car. The shape of the spokes might assist this slightly. For brake cooling you ram the air in at the front and throw it out at the sides.

Many moons ago Aston Martin fitted wheels that sucked the air off the disks. IIRC at the time they said how much this cost off the top speed.
BTW isn't this in trhe wrong forum?

[AlexRWD]

bilko2 said:

I love that SLR!, Just noticed the wheels, do the blades help cool the ceramic brakes?

Those wheels are something like a £7,000 option!

[docevi1]

AlexRWD said:

bilko2 said: I love that SLR!, Just noticed the wheels, do the blades help cool the ceramic brakes? Those wheels are something like a £7,000 option!

Somehow on a £300k car, I don't think £7k is going to make much difference