Heads up: James Martin "Italian Job" BBC2, 915 Tonight (Sun)
Discussion
top night 
Not too good, a bit too much about Mr Moody Martin and the fact that despite spending the thick end of £1K he did not make it beyond day 1. Lots of tearful long angles shots being cuddled by girlfriend etc.
BBC sexed-it up to make out the MM is some sort of fiercely competitive and dangerous event rather than a regulatory run. Reminded me a bit of the job they did with Noel Edmonds at Le Mans with the Panoz.
So he wrecked the valve gear and was going to have "angry words" with his engine builder - I wonder whether he stuck to that new engine rev limit ?
BBC sexed-it up to make out the MM is some sort of fiercely competitive and dangerous event rather than a regulatory run. Reminded me a bit of the job they did with Noel Edmonds at Le Mans with the Panoz.
So he wrecked the valve gear and was going to have "angry words" with his engine builder - I wonder whether he stuck to that new engine rev limit ?
It was quite interesting, I had no idea about the Mile Miglia beforehand, and that's why I wanted to watch it.
I was also suprised to hear about James Martin - didn't know he had a motoring column in the Mail on Sunday magazine, we briefly saw shots of his home, looks like he has some lovely motors, surprised he hasn't posted in "Who has the best garage on PH" (assuming he reads the site - he's a petrolhead - he must do right?)
I won't discuss too much more, as it would require spoilers, and as people may want to watch it, best I don't.
Still, if you get a chance to see it, I would, he spent a SERIOUS amount of cash, just getting a car eligible to do the race
fair play to him though 
I was also suprised to hear about James Martin - didn't know he had a motoring column in the Mail on Sunday magazine, we briefly saw shots of his home, looks like he has some lovely motors, surprised he hasn't posted in "Who has the best garage on PH" (assuming he reads the site - he's a petrolhead - he must do right?)
I won't discuss too much more, as it would require spoilers, and as people may want to watch it, best I don't.
Still, if you get a chance to see it, I would, he spent a SERIOUS amount of cash, just getting a car eligible to do the race
fair play to him though I couldn't understand why he bought the car in the first place. Surely his Gullwing was eligible, as was his bubble car. Seemed utterly stupid to me to spend that amount on a car. Fair enough it had been an ambition to own that particular type of car, but spending that amount on something he'd never heard off seemed daft (IMHO obviously).
rhinochopig said:
I couldn't understand why he bought the car in the first place. Surely his Gullwing was eligible, as was his bubble car. Seemed utterly stupid to me to spend that amount on a car. Fair enough it had been an ambition to own that particular type of car, but spending that amount on something he'd never heard off seemed daft (IMHO obviously).
I think one of the final quotes was quite telling in that respect, he was planning on selling the car if it completed the trip for a nice profit, the extra worth coming with the extra provenance of completing the Mile.Quite a disappointing prog I thought. MM also seemed to have a different attitude/approach to the event than the other featured competitors as well, demonstrated well by the couple of blokes who had to forgo lunch on the last day as they were 20 minutes behind!
Should have been more cars.
I dont think he had heard of the term "if it aint broke dont fix it"
Felt sorry for his co driver, perhaps someone who had act completed the drive before and had experience would have been better suited.
Some very heated abuse on Gen Gassing last night, I think some people on here need to realise, its a forum people have views which differ from there's
I dont think he had heard of the term "if it aint broke dont fix it"
Felt sorry for his co driver, perhaps someone who had act completed the drive before and had experience would have been better suited.
Some very heated abuse on Gen Gassing last night, I think some people on here need to realise, its a forum people have views which differ from there's
Red Firecracker said:
I think one of the final quotes was quite telling in that respect, he was planning on selling the car if it completed the trip for a nice profit, the extra worth coming with the extra provenance of completing the Mile.
The narration seemed at odds with Martin's own comments. Martin seemed to want to complete the race for his own benefit but the commentary seemed to suggest he would do it again just to sell the car on for a profit.The same was true when the valve went. Martin seemed to think it was just the car failing the endurance test of the tour and was pleased to note that other's had in past races from reading that historical book. The commentary was suggesting it was the bloke who rebuilt the engine's fault.
I thought the commentary focused too much on the cost. Martin seemed more interested in the history of the event and being part of 'motorsport'
Edited by el stovey on Monday 29th December 08:45
Was a sound idea for a programme and is an interesting race not really talked about much on TV but the programme itself was extremely boring and ended up being padded out with guff because of what happened to Martin on day one (as already mentioned above).
It turned out to be more about Marin and his ego then it did with cars/racing. Would of been nice to have five mintues of him talking us through his garage at the beginning rather then being all moody and pretending like £650,000 was such a big amount for him to spend.
I think he had some backing from Maserati as the Gran Turismo following him looked like the Maserati press car from the numberplate although he looked like he was a big Maserati fan judging by the amount of Maserati books he bought in that expensive book shop!
Would be nice if they go back and follow him again next year if he competes and makes it this time - might get a bit more of the action in. The official press launch at Cars International looked like a great day though.
Pre-reading about both Top Gear and this programme in the TV guide, I thought I would find Top Gear boring due to lack of cars and this a perfect resolution straight afterwards as there would be plenty of cars but it turned out it was the other way around!
It turned out to be more about Marin and his ego then it did with cars/racing. Would of been nice to have five mintues of him talking us through his garage at the beginning rather then being all moody and pretending like £650,000 was such a big amount for him to spend.
I think he had some backing from Maserati as the Gran Turismo following him looked like the Maserati press car from the numberplate although he looked like he was a big Maserati fan judging by the amount of Maserati books he bought in that expensive book shop!
Would be nice if they go back and follow him again next year if he competes and makes it this time - might get a bit more of the action in. The official press launch at Cars International looked like a great day though.
Pre-reading about both Top Gear and this programme in the TV guide, I thought I would find Top Gear boring due to lack of cars and this a perfect resolution straight afterwards as there would be plenty of cars but it turned out it was the other way around!
el stovey said:
The narration seemed at odds with Martin's own comments. Martin seemed to want to complete the race for his own benefit but the commentary seemed to suggest he would do it again just to sell the car on for a profit.
The same was true when the valve went. Martin seemed to think it was just the car failing the endurance test of the tour and was pleased to note that other's had in past races from reading that historical book. The commentary was suggesting it was the bloke who rebuilt the engine's fault.
I thought the commentary focused too much on the cost. Martin seemed more interested in the history of the event and being part of 'motorsport'
I suspect you're right, unfortunately. Another case of TV maybe trying to portray a slightly different angle to reality. However, he didn't/doesn't strike me as someone who would be willing to support a car such as that as they must be an absolute money pit. I have to say though, I really didn't like that car! The same was true when the valve went. Martin seemed to think it was just the car failing the endurance test of the tour and was pleased to note that other's had in past races from reading that historical book. The commentary was suggesting it was the bloke who rebuilt the engine's fault.
I thought the commentary focused too much on the cost. Martin seemed more interested in the history of the event and being part of 'motorsport'
Edited by el stovey on Monday 29th December 08:45
Shame, could have been a good piece of telly without the personal drama element.
squeakyD said:
Shame this was the original thread though, eh.........Also, this (which is a first for P&P!) seems to be keeping away from the petty bickering of the GG thread.
ETA: Sorry, forgot to add
Edited by Red Firecracker on Monday 29th December 08:58
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