1 00:00:27,445 --> 00:00:29,445 (CHEERING) 2 00:00:37,243 --> 00:00:40,462 Hello, and welcome to Top Gear. 3 00:00:40,562 --> 00:00:44,021 Tonight, a very exciting show for me, because 4 00:00:44,121 --> 00:00:48,061 I get to fulfil a proper bucket-list ambition of mine. 5 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:50,000 You finally got your Greggs gold card. 6 00:00:50,100 --> 00:00:51,040 - No, not that. - No? 7 00:00:51,140 --> 00:00:54,919 - Did you read a book? - Don't go mad. Don't go mad. 8 00:00:55,019 --> 00:00:57,757 Tonight's the night I become a proper trucker. 9 00:00:57,858 --> 00:01:01,956 Yes, we're kicking off by talking about HGVs. 10 00:01:02,056 --> 00:01:03,837 (HONKS) 11 00:01:03,937 --> 00:01:06,116 That's me impression of an HGV. 12 00:01:06,216 --> 00:01:07,636 - Yes, we are, Pad. - Thank you. 13 00:01:07,736 --> 00:01:09,315 Because, as you may have heard, 14 00:01:09,414 --> 00:01:11,554 Britain is in the grip of an HGV crisis. 15 00:01:11,654 --> 00:01:13,955 There's not enough drivers to get the stuff we need 16 00:01:14,054 --> 00:01:15,874 to the places it needs to go. 17 00:01:15,974 --> 00:01:18,913 But what does it take to be an HGV driver? 18 00:01:19,012 --> 00:01:23,571 We decided to do some trucking research and find out. 19 00:01:26,932 --> 00:01:29,670 PADDY: Because there's no better way to learn 20 00:01:29,771 --> 00:01:31,470 than "in at the deep end," 21 00:01:31,570 --> 00:01:36,029 our mission to become fully fledged HGV drivers 22 00:01:36,130 --> 00:01:40,589 would start in the sensibly wide-open space 23 00:01:40,689 --> 00:01:43,308 of Leeds East Airfield, 24 00:01:43,408 --> 00:01:48,027 where the producers had blagged a couple of colourful examples 25 00:01:48,125 --> 00:01:50,125 to see what we'd make of 'em. 26 00:01:50,806 --> 00:01:53,166 Hey, the big leagues. 27 00:01:54,326 --> 00:01:55,265 FRED: Look at these. 28 00:01:55,363 --> 00:01:57,184 The big leagues. 29 00:01:57,285 --> 00:01:58,545 Have you driven one of these before? 30 00:01:58,645 --> 00:02:00,944 Never dri... I've driven a 22-ton dump truck. 31 00:02:01,044 --> 00:02:01,984 Right. 32 00:02:02,083 --> 00:02:03,702 But I've never been behind the wheel of an HGV. 33 00:02:03,801 --> 00:02:05,783 And me dad was an HGV driver. 34 00:02:05,881 --> 00:02:06,821 Was he? 35 00:02:06,922 --> 00:02:08,541 - Yeah. The romance of it. - He ever let you pull the...? 36 00:02:08,642 --> 00:02:09,541 (HONKS) 37 00:02:09,642 --> 00:02:14,380 Oh, all that. I'm all over it. So...I cannot... 38 00:02:14,481 --> 00:02:16,620 ...I think everyone growing up wants to drive a lorry. 39 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:18,579 I'm nervous about it. 40 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:20,180 - You're nervous? - Yeah. 41 00:02:20,279 --> 00:02:21,858 This is the ideal vehicle for you. 42 00:02:21,959 --> 00:02:24,178 Your trouble is you've been getting into little sports cars 43 00:02:24,279 --> 00:02:26,658 and everything, you've not... This is you now. 44 00:02:26,757 --> 00:02:28,338 This is you. And as well, 45 00:02:28,438 --> 00:02:30,216 might I add, I've spotted mine. 46 00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:31,416 McGuinness. 47 00:02:31,517 --> 00:02:34,336 FRED: Do you know what? I can't even argue, can I? 48 00:02:34,435 --> 00:02:36,456 That's got you on. 49 00:02:36,555 --> 00:02:39,214 Mine's called Lynda. (LAUGHS) 50 00:02:39,315 --> 00:02:41,135 Hey, do you know what, what's missing here? 51 00:02:41,235 --> 00:02:42,454 What? 52 00:02:42,555 --> 00:02:44,254 - The little fella. - Yeah. 53 00:02:44,353 --> 00:02:46,094 - But... - How's he gonna get in? 54 00:02:46,194 --> 00:02:48,192 - Exactly. - How's he gonna get in? 55 00:02:49,192 --> 00:02:50,293 Oh, here we go. 56 00:02:50,392 --> 00:02:52,392 - Oh-ho-ho-ho! - Come on, get in. 57 00:02:56,391 --> 00:02:59,151 Oh, there's a bed and everything! 58 00:03:03,870 --> 00:03:05,809 Oh, look at... What the hell's this? 59 00:03:05,909 --> 00:03:08,189 This can't be right, this. 60 00:03:10,548 --> 00:03:12,447 Oh! This is good. 61 00:03:12,548 --> 00:03:14,606 Oh, seat belt. What's going on? Come on. 62 00:03:14,707 --> 00:03:16,707 Why's that not coming down now? 63 00:03:17,786 --> 00:03:23,065 Oh, there we go. That's better. Ooh, ooh. Look! 64 00:03:24,225 --> 00:03:26,225 Come on. Don't do this to me. 65 00:03:27,303 --> 00:03:29,824 This seat belt's... Me seat belt's stuck. 66 00:03:33,503 --> 00:03:35,803 Ah, good buddy, ten-four. 67 00:03:35,903 --> 00:03:38,041 I'm having a bit of trouble with me seat belt. 68 00:03:38,142 --> 00:03:41,440 Has yours locked up as well? I can't get mine out. 69 00:03:41,541 --> 00:03:44,860 I didn't see Kris Kristofferson having this problem in Convoy. 70 00:03:46,740 --> 00:03:48,399 I'm wondering if you've gotta 71 00:03:48,500 --> 00:03:50,499 turn the engine on, Fred, first. 72 00:03:52,019 --> 00:03:53,558 (ENGINE STARTS) 73 00:03:53,658 --> 00:03:55,998 Hey! 74 00:03:56,098 --> 00:03:58,096 Oh! 75 00:03:58,777 --> 00:04:01,156 We've done it! We've cracked it! 76 00:04:01,257 --> 00:04:04,136 Right, come on. Handbrake's off. 77 00:04:06,336 --> 00:04:07,355 Is that off? 78 00:04:07,454 --> 00:04:09,454 Oh! 79 00:04:11,015 --> 00:04:13,014 I'm moving, Pad. 80 00:04:15,053 --> 00:04:16,072 (CHUCKLES) 81 00:04:16,173 --> 00:04:17,272 Oh, hang on. 82 00:04:17,373 --> 00:04:19,853 We're trucking, young buddy! 83 00:04:24,492 --> 00:04:26,931 If me dad could see me now. Go on! 84 00:04:29,050 --> 00:04:31,469 It's so long at the back. I keep looking. 85 00:04:31,570 --> 00:04:33,569 I don't know where the back is. 86 00:04:34,849 --> 00:04:36,868 I've driven everything on Top Gear, 87 00:04:36,969 --> 00:04:42,306 from £1,000 bangers to £4 million supercars, 88 00:04:42,406 --> 00:04:45,767 and this tops the lot. 89 00:04:46,806 --> 00:04:50,226 I've gotta say, Fred, I've got the biggest grin on my face. 90 00:04:50,325 --> 00:04:52,325 This is fantastic. 91 00:04:53,365 --> 00:04:55,365 What gear are you in? 92 00:04:56,123 --> 00:04:58,123 I think third. 93 00:04:59,164 --> 00:05:02,503 PADDY: Well, if the early signs were anything to go by... 94 00:05:02,603 --> 00:05:05,101 What gear's that? 95 00:05:05,202 --> 00:05:09,421 ...we were natural-born truckers, 96 00:05:09,521 --> 00:05:13,060 which was just as well, because it turned out someone else 97 00:05:13,159 --> 00:05:17,560 had been busy sneaking in his own early practice. 98 00:05:19,438 --> 00:05:22,277 'Ey up, I can spy another rig. 99 00:05:23,998 --> 00:05:25,998 (CHUCKLES) 100 00:05:26,637 --> 00:05:28,257 PADDY: Not that it mattered. 101 00:05:28,356 --> 00:05:30,596 (BLEEP) Where's the brake pedal? Sh... 102 00:05:31,995 --> 00:05:34,195 Bit sharp on the brake, but... 103 00:05:40,274 --> 00:05:43,414 PADDY: What did matter, now we were all together, 104 00:05:43,514 --> 00:05:46,512 were a couple of crucial bits of trucking business. 105 00:05:47,632 --> 00:05:48,892 Right, now, before we go, 106 00:05:48,992 --> 00:05:51,051 I've got a little app on me phone 107 00:05:51,152 --> 00:05:53,651 for your official CV call name, 108 00:05:53,750 --> 00:05:55,731 your trucker name. 109 00:05:55,830 --> 00:05:57,729 OK, Chris, we'll start with you. 110 00:05:57,830 --> 00:06:00,830 So it's your initials, CH, so C... 111 00:06:02,188 --> 00:06:04,188 Chopper! 112 00:06:04,748 --> 00:06:07,728 H...Hog. 113 00:06:07,827 --> 00:06:08,848 Chopper Hog. 114 00:06:08,947 --> 00:06:11,386 That's you. 115 00:06:11,487 --> 00:06:13,906 Right, here's mine. P... 116 00:06:15,006 --> 00:06:16,506 Professor. 117 00:06:16,605 --> 00:06:18,305 (CHRIS LAUGHS) 118 00:06:19,505 --> 00:06:20,884 Moose. Professor Moose. 119 00:06:20,985 --> 00:06:23,764 Right, Fred, now I'm gonna give you the option here. 120 00:06:23,865 --> 00:06:25,764 Do you wanna start with F or A? 121 00:06:25,863 --> 00:06:28,464 Let's try A first. I'll go for me Sunday name, Andrew. 122 00:06:29,743 --> 00:06:31,723 Admiral. 123 00:06:31,822 --> 00:06:33,822 I chose well. 124 00:06:35,101 --> 00:06:37,101 F... 125 00:06:39,141 --> 00:06:41,820 So you are Admiral Fiddler. 126 00:06:43,740 --> 00:06:46,758 I am not having that. I am not having that! 127 00:06:46,858 --> 00:06:50,819 You've just made my entire year, McGuinness. 128 00:06:51,978 --> 00:06:53,798 Admiral Fiddler! 129 00:06:53,897 --> 00:06:55,896 No! 130 00:06:57,776 --> 00:07:00,234 PADDY: Official naming ceremony done with, 131 00:07:00,336 --> 00:07:02,995 next on the trucking to-do list 132 00:07:03,096 --> 00:07:06,074 was the obligatory drag race. 133 00:07:06,175 --> 00:07:08,714 And since Sean Taylor 134 00:07:08,815 --> 00:07:10,993 also seemed to be a racing enthusiast, 135 00:07:11,093 --> 00:07:13,913 Harris had to perform. 136 00:07:14,012 --> 00:07:16,353 Now, my brief experience of this vehicle, 137 00:07:16,452 --> 00:07:17,911 I was told not to hurry the gearbox. 138 00:07:18,012 --> 00:07:21,351 I'm gonna be slow gear shifts, and use the torque. 139 00:07:21,452 --> 00:07:23,731 STARTER: Standing by. 140 00:07:26,569 --> 00:07:29,649 In three, two, one... 141 00:07:31,009 --> 00:07:33,668 I've stalled it. I've stalled it. 142 00:07:33,769 --> 00:07:35,768 Oh-ho! 143 00:07:38,368 --> 00:07:44,365 STARTER: Standing by to go in three, two, one. 144 00:07:46,526 --> 00:07:48,526 Go! 145 00:07:51,165 --> 00:07:53,904 FRED: Yeah! Here we go. 146 00:07:54,003 --> 00:07:56,003 Oh! We've done 'em! 147 00:07:56,644 --> 00:07:58,223 Oh, Paddy's off. 148 00:07:58,322 --> 00:08:01,022 Breaker one nine. Breaker one nine. 149 00:08:01,122 --> 00:08:03,661 We've got a big rubber duck. 150 00:08:03,762 --> 00:08:04,861 (ENGINE SPLUTTERS) 151 00:08:04,961 --> 00:08:06,380 Ooh, that's not right. 152 00:08:06,481 --> 00:08:09,101 (LAUGHS) Oh! 153 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:11,759 He's got... McGuinness has got a much bigger engine than me. 154 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:15,978 What is going on here? 155 00:08:16,079 --> 00:08:18,699 I'm coming up on Paddy now. 156 00:08:18,798 --> 00:08:20,577 - Oh! - Yeah, we're going, 157 00:08:20,678 --> 00:08:22,298 - we're going, we're going! - A bit too soon, Fred. 158 00:08:22,397 --> 00:08:24,476 Watch me go, boys! Look at this! 159 00:08:25,556 --> 00:08:28,295 Oh, God, no! He's back on me! 160 00:08:28,396 --> 00:08:30,396 Damn you, Harris! 161 00:08:30,716 --> 00:08:33,234 Oh-ho-ho! Ho-ho-ho-ho! 162 00:08:35,714 --> 00:08:36,694 Oh, I was in the wrong gear! 163 00:08:36,792 --> 00:08:41,134 (LAUGHS) We're flying, me and the Scania. 164 00:08:41,233 --> 00:08:43,613 FRED: Come on! Come on! 165 00:08:43,711 --> 00:08:47,211 Not a chance, Fiddler. Not a chance. 166 00:08:47,311 --> 00:08:49,350 Admiral! It is Admiral! 167 00:08:51,148 --> 00:08:54,711 Look at that! It's a massive victory. 168 00:08:58,148 --> 00:08:59,407 Well, lads, 169 00:08:59,509 --> 00:09:02,368 I don't know what to say. That was an annihilation. 170 00:09:02,469 --> 00:09:04,606 Did you stall on the line, Paddy? I can't remember. 171 00:09:04,706 --> 00:09:06,367 Did you...? Was it you or was it Chris? 172 00:09:06,465 --> 00:09:08,807 PADDY: Yeah, I don't think I stalled. Did you stall, Fred? 173 00:09:08,906 --> 00:09:10,767 No, I didn't. I just got in it and did it. 174 00:09:10,865 --> 00:09:12,865 (CHUCKLES) 175 00:09:15,144 --> 00:09:18,003 CHRIS: Now, if you're thinking that, in the world of HGVs, 176 00:09:18,105 --> 00:09:20,724 a drag race is about as irrelevant as it gets, 177 00:09:20,825 --> 00:09:24,081 then it's just as well this next bit 178 00:09:24,183 --> 00:09:26,522 was much more important. 179 00:09:26,623 --> 00:09:29,883 Horn. I wanna hear your horns. Let's go, lads. 180 00:09:29,981 --> 00:09:31,981 Fred horn first. 181 00:09:33,021 --> 00:09:34,560 (DEEP HORN BLAST) 182 00:09:34,661 --> 00:09:35,681 FRED: It's like the QE2. 183 00:09:35,779 --> 00:09:38,038 (DEEP HORN BLAST) 184 00:09:38,138 --> 00:09:40,138 McGuinness, let's hear yours. 185 00:09:41,298 --> 00:09:43,079 - (HIGH-PITCHED TOOT) - FRED: What's that?! 186 00:09:43,177 --> 00:09:44,358 What's that? Meep! 187 00:09:44,459 --> 00:09:46,436 - (HIGH-PITCHED TOOT) - Ohh! 188 00:09:46,538 --> 00:09:48,676 Gotta be honest, that's ruined the day for me. 189 00:09:48,778 --> 00:09:51,037 Right, lads, here we go. 190 00:09:51,137 --> 00:09:52,396 (LOUD, COMMANDING HORN) 191 00:09:52,494 --> 00:09:53,557 Oh! 192 00:09:53,656 --> 00:09:55,955 (LOUD, COMMANDING HORN) 193 00:09:56,057 --> 00:09:57,754 (LAUGHS TRIUMPHANTLY) 194 00:09:57,855 --> 00:09:59,595 That's proper! 195 00:09:59,695 --> 00:10:01,694 (GROANS) 196 00:10:02,694 --> 00:10:06,713 CHRIS: And, to make sure we'd turned over every page of 197 00:10:06,811 --> 00:10:09,831 the HGV driver's playbook, we still needed to test precision. 198 00:10:09,933 --> 00:10:15,110 So, in the time it took to lay out a few cones, 199 00:10:15,211 --> 00:10:18,152 we had ourselves a reversing race. 200 00:10:18,250 --> 00:10:23,467 First to back up into their bay is king of the big rigs. 201 00:10:23,569 --> 00:10:25,149 - STARTER: Three, two... - Come on. 202 00:10:25,250 --> 00:10:27,250 ...one, go. 203 00:10:32,166 --> 00:10:34,166 Oh, oh, oh. 204 00:10:37,126 --> 00:10:39,347 CHRIS: Right, we've got this. 205 00:10:39,445 --> 00:10:44,185 Here we go. Straight back. 206 00:10:44,284 --> 00:10:45,584 I can't really see down the side of it. 207 00:10:45,684 --> 00:10:47,963 I'm making the turn. 208 00:10:50,561 --> 00:10:53,022 PADDY: Left hand down. Left hand down. 209 00:10:53,121 --> 00:10:56,621 Ho-ho-ho. This is tricky. 210 00:10:56,722 --> 00:10:58,580 Oh, God. I'm all over the place. 211 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:00,462 I'm gonna go forwards again. 212 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:02,560 Whoa! 213 00:11:03,721 --> 00:11:06,501 - You've cut me off, Fred. - I can promise you 214 00:11:06,599 --> 00:11:09,458 it's not intentional. I'll straighten it out. 215 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:11,338 This is awful! 216 00:11:11,438 --> 00:11:14,559 Come on. Come on, Harris. 217 00:11:15,598 --> 00:11:17,496 PADDY: You're in my bay, you clown. 218 00:11:17,597 --> 00:11:19,857 (CHRIS LAUGHS) 219 00:11:19,957 --> 00:11:21,376 Come on. Come on. 220 00:11:21,476 --> 00:11:23,896 PADDY: Get out of me bay! 221 00:11:23,995 --> 00:11:25,573 I'm in, I'm in. 222 00:11:25,675 --> 00:11:26,974 I'm in. 223 00:11:27,073 --> 00:11:29,333 I'm in. I'm in. I'm in, boys! 224 00:11:29,434 --> 00:11:32,013 PADDY: How am I supposed to get in? 225 00:11:32,115 --> 00:11:33,811 It doesn't matter cos I've already won. 226 00:11:33,914 --> 00:11:37,332 You've won because I've had to wait cos that... 227 00:11:37,434 --> 00:11:41,311 ...gormless get cut me off and then went in my bay! 228 00:11:43,031 --> 00:11:45,310 (DEEP HORN BLAST) 229 00:11:47,991 --> 00:11:49,211 PADDY: I'm blocking him in. 230 00:11:49,310 --> 00:11:51,990 (LOUD, COMMANDING HORN) 231 00:11:53,348 --> 00:11:56,608 I tell you, you'd be causing murder at Moto services, 232 00:11:56,707 --> 00:11:57,928 you here, Paddy. 233 00:11:58,029 --> 00:12:00,486 You OK, Patrick? 234 00:12:00,587 --> 00:12:02,486 PADDY: That'll teach you for taking my bay! 235 00:12:02,587 --> 00:12:03,886 FRED: What's happened? 236 00:12:03,986 --> 00:12:06,245 PADDY: You literally cut me off and parked in me bay! 237 00:12:06,347 --> 00:12:07,966 FRED: This ain't... Nobody said... 238 00:12:08,067 --> 00:12:10,083 PADDY: That's yours, that's his, that's mine! 239 00:12:10,185 --> 00:12:11,804 FRED: Nobody said, "That's my bay." 240 00:12:11,905 --> 00:12:12,964 PADDY: They did... 241 00:12:13,063 --> 00:12:15,645 CHRIS: Now, at this point, it was suggested to us that, 242 00:12:15,743 --> 00:12:18,644 if we were ever to become real-life HGV drivers, 243 00:12:18,742 --> 00:12:22,203 we should probably get a few lessons, 244 00:12:22,301 --> 00:12:26,761 so we all booked in on an intensive training course, 245 00:12:26,861 --> 00:12:31,461 and set out to get our licences as soon as possible. 246 00:12:53,215 --> 00:12:54,794 Oh, yes! 247 00:12:54,895 --> 00:12:58,852 One qualified truck driver at your service. 248 00:13:03,453 --> 00:13:05,512 You are now looking at a graduate from 249 00:13:05,611 --> 00:13:10,252 the HGV University. Ho-ho! Nothing can stop me now. 250 00:13:12,050 --> 00:13:16,870 And as the newest member of the HGV Club, 251 00:13:16,971 --> 00:13:18,109 I was ready to take my place 252 00:13:18,211 --> 00:13:22,448 alongside the great hauliers of Britain. 253 00:13:24,769 --> 00:13:26,707 Look, look, there's one there. Look at that. 254 00:13:26,809 --> 00:13:28,186 I can drive that! 255 00:13:28,289 --> 00:13:30,466 I am driving that. I'm driving this. 256 00:13:30,568 --> 00:13:32,886 It's just bonkers! 257 00:13:35,366 --> 00:13:37,665 (HORN HONKS) 258 00:13:37,763 --> 00:13:41,224 Ah-ha-ha! Who's this I spy? 259 00:13:41,323 --> 00:13:43,102 CHRIS: Here we go, Mr McGuinness. 260 00:13:43,204 --> 00:13:47,342 Fully certified and ready to truck. 261 00:13:47,443 --> 00:13:49,144 This feels very grown-up indeed. 262 00:13:49,242 --> 00:13:51,822 PADDY: I tell you what, little Chopper, 263 00:13:51,923 --> 00:13:53,222 get yourself up in front, son. 264 00:13:53,322 --> 00:13:55,320 Go on, tuck in there. 265 00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:01,780 FRED: Just one more for a full house. 266 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:04,458 The Admiral reporting for duty, sir. 267 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:06,020 Hello, the Admiral! 268 00:14:06,118 --> 00:14:09,098 Go on, lead us out, son. 269 00:14:09,197 --> 00:14:11,197 (PADDY CHUCKLES) 270 00:14:12,916 --> 00:14:17,357 FRED: Oh, yes, we had ourselves a convoy. 271 00:14:20,236 --> 00:14:22,495 FRED: Come on, then, lads, time to own up. 272 00:14:22,596 --> 00:14:24,454 On your HGV test, 273 00:14:24,554 --> 00:14:28,733 how many minor faults? Just one for me. 274 00:14:28,833 --> 00:14:30,934 - Two for the Professor. - Three. 275 00:14:31,032 --> 00:14:33,832 FRED: What were yours for, Chris? Not reaching the pedals? 276 00:14:36,311 --> 00:14:37,693 What about the theory? First time? 277 00:14:37,791 --> 00:14:40,090 PADDY: A first-time pass for the Professor, 278 00:14:40,192 --> 00:14:41,411 but that was just a given. 279 00:14:41,511 --> 00:14:44,231 Well played, Pad. I must admit, second time for me. 280 00:14:45,429 --> 00:14:46,888 What about the Chopper? 281 00:14:46,991 --> 00:14:48,329 I technically passed 282 00:14:48,428 --> 00:14:51,727 the first time that I took the examination. 283 00:14:51,829 --> 00:14:53,686 Explain, Christopher. 284 00:14:53,789 --> 00:14:55,686 The first time, I didn't have my licence with me 285 00:14:55,789 --> 00:14:57,288 and they sent me home. 286 00:14:57,386 --> 00:14:59,765 I drove four hours to London and they sent me home. 287 00:14:59,867 --> 00:15:01,847 (CHUCKLES) 288 00:15:01,945 --> 00:15:03,126 CHRIS: It's a cursory lesson 289 00:15:03,226 --> 00:15:05,044 to everyone out there - follow the rules. 290 00:15:05,146 --> 00:15:07,645 And as I'm realising with the whole world of trucking, 291 00:15:07,745 --> 00:15:10,503 it's a more grown-up world than driving a car, isn't it? 292 00:15:11,625 --> 00:15:12,924 PADDY: Oh, yes, it is, 293 00:15:13,024 --> 00:15:16,404 especially when you're driving 294 00:15:16,502 --> 00:15:19,423 the world's most powerful truck. 295 00:15:21,621 --> 00:15:25,761 Welcome to the Scania 770S, 296 00:15:25,861 --> 00:15:27,919 the big dog of the trucking world. 297 00:15:28,020 --> 00:15:34,399 770 horsepower and a turbo-charged 16-litre V8. 298 00:15:34,500 --> 00:15:35,799 What I'm driving here 299 00:15:35,899 --> 00:15:38,477 is the Bugatti Chiron of the trucking world. 300 00:15:38,578 --> 00:15:41,197 Ohhh... 301 00:15:41,298 --> 00:15:43,798 The envious looks I get off the other truckers. 302 00:15:43,896 --> 00:15:47,215 They all want to be behind the wheel of the big ol' Scania. 303 00:15:48,896 --> 00:15:50,474 FRED: Do they, though? 304 00:15:50,573 --> 00:15:52,954 Because when you're hauling serious miles, 305 00:15:53,054 --> 00:15:57,293 real truckers know that comfort is king. 306 00:15:59,693 --> 00:16:01,473 You're a trucker, you're in this 307 00:16:01,572 --> 00:16:03,232 for hours and hours every day. 308 00:16:03,332 --> 00:16:05,072 You don't need 700 horsepower, 309 00:16:05,173 --> 00:16:07,550 what you need is space, 310 00:16:07,650 --> 00:16:09,070 somewhere to stretch out. 311 00:16:09,169 --> 00:16:12,589 This is the biggest, most spacious, 312 00:16:12,688 --> 00:16:15,888 most comfortable cab money can buy. 313 00:16:17,010 --> 00:16:20,668 This is the DAF XG+, 314 00:16:20,770 --> 00:16:24,168 the Rolls-Royce Phantom of the trucking world. 315 00:16:26,006 --> 00:16:28,328 I've gone tech. 316 00:16:30,607 --> 00:16:34,106 This is the new Mercedes-Benz Actros, 317 00:16:34,204 --> 00:16:37,323 and it really is the Tomorrow's World of HGVs. 318 00:16:40,043 --> 00:16:43,022 All the tech you see here, the camera mirrors, 319 00:16:43,121 --> 00:16:44,102 all the screens, 320 00:16:44,203 --> 00:16:46,822 all the self-driving help for the HGV driver, 321 00:16:46,924 --> 00:16:48,781 it's going to percolate down 322 00:16:48,881 --> 00:16:52,261 into HGVs over the next five years. 323 00:16:52,361 --> 00:16:55,361 I am driving, quite literally, the future. 324 00:16:56,919 --> 00:16:58,620 In fact, forget Actros, 325 00:16:58,721 --> 00:17:01,639 this is the Mercedes S-Class of the trucking world. 326 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:04,860 And I tell you what, 327 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,798 it's naffing comfortable and very, very quiet. 328 00:17:13,197 --> 00:17:15,777 PADDY: So, three proper truckers 329 00:17:15,877 --> 00:17:17,877 in three proper trucks. 330 00:17:19,274 --> 00:17:21,416 It was just as well that we'd been given 331 00:17:21,515 --> 00:17:23,514 our first trucking mission. 332 00:17:24,634 --> 00:17:26,735 Each of our trailers had been loaded 333 00:17:26,835 --> 00:17:29,734 with a mystery cargo that we'd have to deliver 334 00:17:29,832 --> 00:17:33,350 to the south coast of Wales by early the next morning. 335 00:17:36,591 --> 00:17:39,012 And that meant we had plenty of time 336 00:17:39,111 --> 00:17:43,169 to squeeze in that new trucker's rite of passage, 337 00:17:44,271 --> 00:17:48,649 taking a break at a good old-fashioned truck stop. 338 00:17:48,748 --> 00:17:49,850 I tell you what, they look well, 339 00:17:49,948 --> 00:17:51,369 the three of them together, don't they? 340 00:17:51,469 --> 00:17:52,569 They do. 341 00:17:52,668 --> 00:17:54,207 I can't believe you boys haven't embraced 342 00:17:54,309 --> 00:17:55,648 the trucking attire. 343 00:17:55,748 --> 00:17:57,207 That's not trucking attire! 344 00:17:57,307 --> 00:17:58,408 It is! 345 00:17:58,507 --> 00:18:00,086 Can we walk in a bit behind him? 346 00:18:00,187 --> 00:18:04,323 PADDY: The thing is, though, truck stops these days... 347 00:18:04,426 --> 00:18:05,765 This is way too nice! 348 00:18:05,865 --> 00:18:09,485 ...aren't quite as old-fashioned as you'd think. 349 00:18:09,585 --> 00:18:11,585 Oh... 350 00:18:13,184 --> 00:18:15,184 Oh, very nice. 351 00:18:15,783 --> 00:18:17,123 - Chris? - Yes? 352 00:18:17,223 --> 00:18:18,723 I don't want to stereotype truckers, 353 00:18:18,822 --> 00:18:20,603 but I didn't realise they wore cufflinks. 354 00:18:20,703 --> 00:18:22,361 - I know. - This is... 355 00:18:22,461 --> 00:18:24,081 This is... This is next-gen. 356 00:18:24,181 --> 00:18:26,801 Hello, I'm sorry to ask, but do you do 357 00:18:26,899 --> 00:18:28,198 - an oat-milk latte? - I do. 358 00:18:28,301 --> 00:18:30,300 (MILK FROTHING) 359 00:18:30,820 --> 00:18:32,399 Hey! 360 00:18:32,498 --> 00:18:34,359 They only do the oat-milk lattes! 361 00:18:34,457 --> 00:18:36,457 - Do they? - I can't believe it! 362 00:18:37,257 --> 00:18:39,257 I've gotta say... 363 00:18:40,057 --> 00:18:41,475 ...this isn't what I expected. 364 00:18:41,577 --> 00:18:43,515 I thought it was going to be a greasy-spoon job. 365 00:18:43,617 --> 00:18:45,617 - No, this is... - This is proper. 366 00:18:48,376 --> 00:18:50,235 I tell you, I'm spoilt for choice. 367 00:18:50,335 --> 00:18:51,916 Buy a TV! 368 00:18:52,015 --> 00:18:54,014 Look at this, here! Pillows! 369 00:18:55,735 --> 00:18:57,714 What tractors do you drive, anyhow? 370 00:18:57,812 --> 00:19:00,754 - I've got the Scania. - The Scania R450. 371 00:19:00,853 --> 00:19:02,793 - Ooh. - I'm a 770S man. 372 00:19:02,893 --> 00:19:05,033 - Ooh, Scania's quick. - It is quick. 373 00:19:05,132 --> 00:19:07,390 They've got some really nice ratchet straps here. 374 00:19:07,492 --> 00:19:08,792 I'm thinking of doing a big shop. 375 00:19:08,890 --> 00:19:11,331 Very civilised. This is lovely. 376 00:19:13,490 --> 00:19:15,669 Lads, if this is trucking, I'm in. 377 00:19:15,769 --> 00:19:18,307 - This is a nice coffee. - If this is trucking, I'm in! 378 00:19:18,408 --> 00:19:19,668 That's a lovely coffee. 379 00:19:19,769 --> 00:19:22,269 I can't understand why there's a shortage in the industry. 380 00:19:22,369 --> 00:19:24,548 - What a way to live! - Best job ever. 381 00:19:24,648 --> 00:19:27,466 CHRIS: And, once we'd fully brimmed 382 00:19:27,565 --> 00:19:30,327 on foamy milk and freshly baked goods... 383 00:19:33,284 --> 00:19:34,225 ...back on the road, 384 00:19:34,323 --> 00:19:38,664 we were soon discovering that real-world trucking comes 385 00:19:38,764 --> 00:19:40,543 with even more unexpected perks. 386 00:19:40,644 --> 00:19:42,902 I tell you one thing all car drivers 387 00:19:43,004 --> 00:19:45,182 would appreciate about trucks - 388 00:19:45,283 --> 00:19:47,443 the windscreen wipers are fantastic. 389 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:53,341 They just give you the cleanest, crispest wipe - 390 00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:55,061 for want of a better phrase. 391 00:19:55,159 --> 00:19:56,140 And the washers. 392 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:57,659 Watch this. 393 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:59,340 Look at that! 394 00:19:59,438 --> 00:20:02,438 Just...perfect sweeping! 395 00:20:03,557 --> 00:20:05,957 Joyous! I love a good wiper. 396 00:20:12,356 --> 00:20:15,856 Do you know what else is lovely about driving these trucks? 397 00:20:15,956 --> 00:20:17,495 When you're driving past cars, 398 00:20:17,594 --> 00:20:20,373 you can have a good nosey down at inside the cab. 399 00:20:20,475 --> 00:20:22,534 You get a glimpse into someone's life, don't you, 400 00:20:22,635 --> 00:20:24,455 when you look into the car from this angle? 401 00:20:24,553 --> 00:20:26,053 Each to their own. 402 00:20:26,153 --> 00:20:27,573 I'm easily pleased. 403 00:20:27,673 --> 00:20:29,673 (CHUCKLES) 404 00:20:30,513 --> 00:20:32,992 FRED: And it turns out so are the producers... 405 00:20:34,149 --> 00:20:38,130 ...because since we were making such effortless progress, 406 00:20:38,231 --> 00:20:41,569 they'd decided it was time to see who had really come out 407 00:20:41,669 --> 00:20:44,269 top of the trucking class. 408 00:20:45,348 --> 00:20:48,668 And that meant making a stop at an RAF base. 409 00:20:50,827 --> 00:20:53,886 Lads, that looks like two helicopters. 410 00:20:53,986 --> 00:20:57,265 That's a wide load, that is! 411 00:20:58,547 --> 00:21:00,544 CHRIS: Yes, it was. 412 00:21:02,784 --> 00:21:06,084 To test our precision truck-driving skills, 413 00:21:06,185 --> 00:21:07,524 we'd now take turns towing 414 00:21:07,623 --> 00:21:10,642 an inconveniently arranged pair of helicopters 415 00:21:10,743 --> 00:21:13,023 through a twisty slalom course. 416 00:21:15,342 --> 00:21:17,880 With a time penalty for any gates clipped, 417 00:21:17,982 --> 00:21:20,921 the cleanest, fastest run would win, 418 00:21:21,022 --> 00:21:24,919 which meant I'd need to summon all 625 horsepower 419 00:21:25,019 --> 00:21:28,619 from the mighty Mercedes 15.6-litre straight six. 420 00:21:31,658 --> 00:21:35,315 Yeah, before I set off, and in advance of you doing it, 421 00:21:35,417 --> 00:21:36,476 I can tell you 422 00:21:36,573 --> 00:21:40,073 that the old camera mirrors weren't designed for this! 423 00:21:40,176 --> 00:21:41,956 (BOTH LAUGH) 424 00:21:42,055 --> 00:21:43,716 FRED: Well, good luck. 425 00:21:43,815 --> 00:21:47,334 Three, two, one, go! 426 00:21:48,734 --> 00:21:50,594 - Hoh! - Ho-hooo! 427 00:21:50,694 --> 00:21:52,234 FRED: That's a slow start. 428 00:21:52,334 --> 00:21:53,873 Wowsers! 429 00:21:53,973 --> 00:21:56,113 - Why's he going so slow? - I don't know. 430 00:21:56,214 --> 00:21:59,752 Towing two helicopters. I'm not aware of the weight. 431 00:21:59,851 --> 00:22:01,911 I've got over 2,000 foot-pound of torque. 432 00:22:02,011 --> 00:22:04,351 - PADDY: That's a penalty. - FRED: The state of it! 433 00:22:04,448 --> 00:22:05,551 CHRIS: Is that about the middle? 434 00:22:05,651 --> 00:22:06,909 - FRED: Oh, he's panicking. - PADDY: Oh, here we go. 435 00:22:07,011 --> 00:22:08,269 This is him now. Oh, he's at an angle. 436 00:22:08,370 --> 00:22:10,370 Oh, it's at an angle, that, as well. Look at it! 437 00:22:11,848 --> 00:22:13,109 (CLANG!) 438 00:22:13,209 --> 00:22:14,589 (CHEERING) 439 00:22:14,688 --> 00:22:15,628 CHRIS: There we go. That's one over. 440 00:22:15,728 --> 00:22:16,868 First one, bosh! 441 00:22:16,967 --> 00:22:19,868 - Knocked it over. - I'm going to give it beans. 442 00:22:19,967 --> 00:22:22,267 We're going to save some time. I'm giving it beans. 443 00:22:22,368 --> 00:22:24,265 Go on, hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it! 444 00:22:24,365 --> 00:22:26,107 He's gotta get through this one. 445 00:22:26,206 --> 00:22:27,823 Wah-ho! 446 00:22:27,926 --> 00:22:28,985 Straight through at speed! 447 00:22:29,084 --> 00:22:31,084 - (GROANING) - That's disappointing. 448 00:22:32,524 --> 00:22:33,784 I've gotta say, 449 00:22:33,882 --> 00:22:36,344 this place, like a penthouse. 450 00:22:36,444 --> 00:22:37,944 It's lovely, innit? I tell you what, 451 00:22:38,043 --> 00:22:40,283 - you've not seen any of it. - Absolutely fantastic! 452 00:22:42,122 --> 00:22:44,122 Right, again, I'm going flat-out. 453 00:22:45,802 --> 00:22:47,841 - (CLANG!) - Oh, hit that one. 454 00:22:49,361 --> 00:22:51,060 PADDY: Ohhh! 455 00:22:51,159 --> 00:22:53,159 (BOTH LAUGHING) 456 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:55,698 - Oh! - I tell ya. Look at it all. 457 00:22:55,798 --> 00:22:57,219 - You've got everything... - I could get into it. 458 00:22:57,319 --> 00:23:00,036 - Everything's digital. - ...on screens. Apple CarPlay. 459 00:23:01,638 --> 00:23:03,717 Have a try at the driving seat. How comfy? 460 00:23:05,598 --> 00:23:06,536 (CLANG!) 461 00:23:06,636 --> 00:23:08,216 Ohhhh! Oh, he's here! 462 00:23:08,315 --> 00:23:10,315 He's back! We forgot about him! 463 00:23:11,156 --> 00:23:13,534 Over the line! For glory! 464 00:23:13,636 --> 00:23:14,975 That... Ohh! (EXHALES) 465 00:23:15,073 --> 00:23:16,813 I tell you what, we loved that. 466 00:23:16,915 --> 00:23:19,534 That bit you did down there and round the back? 467 00:23:19,632 --> 00:23:21,632 Oh, fantastic. 468 00:23:23,953 --> 00:23:26,532 CHRIS: Next, time to see what Flintoff could do 469 00:23:26,632 --> 00:23:29,511 with 100 less horsepower in his DAF. 470 00:23:30,591 --> 00:23:33,051 PADDY: I've gotta be honest, Fred, being back 471 00:23:33,151 --> 00:23:35,610 in the old Scania, I'm a bit envious of yours. 472 00:23:35,709 --> 00:23:37,969 I tell you what, the DAF is lovely, isn't it? 473 00:23:38,069 --> 00:23:39,169 And what's that? 474 00:23:39,269 --> 00:23:40,327 I can stand up. 475 00:23:40,428 --> 00:23:42,007 I can stand up with my arms up. 476 00:23:42,109 --> 00:23:44,107 This is my tummy out. 477 00:23:45,027 --> 00:23:46,286 Here we go! 478 00:23:46,388 --> 00:23:48,848 STARTER: Three, two, one... 479 00:23:48,947 --> 00:23:51,368 - Go! - Whoa... 480 00:23:51,467 --> 00:23:53,805 Oh, I expected more off the line. 481 00:23:53,906 --> 00:23:55,127 Foot's on the floor. 482 00:23:55,226 --> 00:23:57,644 Now, let's watch him on the first bend, as per. 483 00:23:57,745 --> 00:24:00,406 Now, this is where you caught one, Christopher. 484 00:24:00,505 --> 00:24:01,603 I caught one on the right. 485 00:24:01,703 --> 00:24:04,004 I'm just guessing. Just guessing. 486 00:24:04,103 --> 00:24:05,123 (CLANG!) 487 00:24:05,223 --> 00:24:06,803 Oh, same one! 488 00:24:06,903 --> 00:24:08,482 - He's knocked it over. - Same one. So, there you go. 489 00:24:08,582 --> 00:24:10,322 Oh, I tell you what, 490 00:24:10,421 --> 00:24:12,562 it's a different beast with a bit of weight. 491 00:24:12,661 --> 00:24:15,561 PADDY: I've gotta say, being in that DAF, 492 00:24:15,661 --> 00:24:18,761 there's loads of room, all the tech on it. 493 00:24:18,860 --> 00:24:20,080 The bed, it was electric... 494 00:24:20,180 --> 00:24:21,798 Although I have got a fridge, here. 495 00:24:21,899 --> 00:24:23,899 Can I show you me fridge? 496 00:24:26,899 --> 00:24:28,898 Why have you got almond milk? 497 00:24:29,938 --> 00:24:32,118 Oh, oh, oh, not too fast! 498 00:24:32,217 --> 00:24:33,598 Oh, it's cutting in on me. 499 00:24:33,697 --> 00:24:35,315 That wasn't me, that. It was braking for me. 500 00:24:35,417 --> 00:24:37,976 Oh, he's winged that through, hasn't he? 501 00:24:38,976 --> 00:24:41,873 Come on. Straight, straight, straight! 502 00:24:41,975 --> 00:24:44,515 - (CLANG!) - Oh, no! 503 00:24:44,615 --> 00:24:47,394 - Knocked the last one. - Ohhhh! 504 00:24:47,494 --> 00:24:49,352 - On the left, there! - (HORN HONKS) 505 00:24:49,452 --> 00:24:51,194 Ho-hooo! 506 00:24:51,293 --> 00:24:52,232 Two down. 507 00:24:52,332 --> 00:24:53,832 Well done, the Fiddler. 508 00:24:53,932 --> 00:24:55,473 (BOTH LAUGH) 509 00:24:55,572 --> 00:24:57,711 I am not the Fiddler. I'm the Admiral. 510 00:24:57,812 --> 00:24:59,511 And I don't want a roof neither. 511 00:24:59,611 --> 00:25:01,611 (LAUGHTER) 512 00:25:02,930 --> 00:25:05,870 PADDY: Finally, the Professor 513 00:25:05,969 --> 00:25:10,149 in the world's most powerful truck. 514 00:25:10,248 --> 00:25:11,908 You're under a bit of pressure here, Paddy, 515 00:25:12,007 --> 00:25:13,028 with your 700 horsepower. 516 00:25:13,128 --> 00:25:14,507 Watch the power. 517 00:25:14,607 --> 00:25:15,786 CHRIS: OK, here we go! 518 00:25:15,888 --> 00:25:19,127 Three, two, one, go! 519 00:25:20,368 --> 00:25:22,365 Phwoar! Come on! 520 00:25:24,127 --> 00:25:26,344 Whoa. Ooh. 521 00:25:26,444 --> 00:25:28,444 Here we go. 522 00:25:29,284 --> 00:25:30,223 (CLANG!) 523 00:25:30,323 --> 00:25:31,303 He's clattered it. 524 00:25:31,403 --> 00:25:33,063 PADDY: I don't even know if I took one out or not. 525 00:25:33,165 --> 00:25:37,923 I literally cannot see the end of these propellers. 526 00:25:39,282 --> 00:25:40,861 - Oh, he's through. - He's through. 527 00:25:40,961 --> 00:25:42,182 He's not getting through this one. 528 00:25:42,282 --> 00:25:45,081 - He's going to panic. - Oh! Jesus, where am I? 529 00:25:47,159 --> 00:25:48,698 Ho-hooo! 530 00:25:48,798 --> 00:25:52,899 The Scania might not be as luxurious inside, 531 00:25:52,998 --> 00:25:54,998 but, by God, she can go. 532 00:25:56,557 --> 00:25:58,257 Bosh! 533 00:25:58,357 --> 00:25:59,638 - Gotta have made that through. - He's through there! 534 00:25:59,717 --> 00:26:01,136 - He's through there. - Ooh, he's through! 535 00:26:01,236 --> 00:26:03,217 Whooa...! 536 00:26:03,315 --> 00:26:04,536 Whooa! 537 00:26:04,636 --> 00:26:05,857 FRED: We don't need this. 538 00:26:05,956 --> 00:26:08,255 OK. It's always a better day when he doesn't win. 539 00:26:08,357 --> 00:26:09,774 Go! Go! Go! 540 00:26:09,873 --> 00:26:11,774 Oh, I took that quick. 541 00:26:11,873 --> 00:26:13,613 - (CLANG!) - Ho-ho-ho! Hey-hey! 542 00:26:13,714 --> 00:26:15,132 Oh, he's smashed that! 543 00:26:15,234 --> 00:26:17,653 Yea-ah. Yeah! 544 00:26:17,754 --> 00:26:19,253 Come on, the Scania. 545 00:26:19,353 --> 00:26:20,932 Go on, son! 546 00:26:21,033 --> 00:26:23,032 (HORN HONKS) 547 00:26:23,351 --> 00:26:25,632 We're over. 548 00:26:27,551 --> 00:26:30,091 I went for speed over precision. 549 00:26:30,190 --> 00:26:32,248 It's an odd look seeing a man 550 00:26:32,350 --> 00:26:33,649 wearing a cheap cowboy hat, 551 00:26:33,748 --> 00:26:35,011 towing two helicopters 552 00:26:35,110 --> 00:26:37,928 in the world's most powerful truck. 553 00:26:38,027 --> 00:26:40,069 Welcome to the BBC! 554 00:26:42,388 --> 00:26:44,368 Where the results were in. 555 00:26:44,467 --> 00:26:46,467 Ah! 556 00:26:46,786 --> 00:26:47,886 Thank you, sir. 557 00:26:47,986 --> 00:26:49,526 Thank you. 558 00:26:49,627 --> 00:26:51,247 Christopher Harris. 559 00:26:51,344 --> 00:26:54,245 - Ooh! - Two minutes, 15 seconds, 560 00:26:54,344 --> 00:26:55,923 and that's including 561 00:26:56,024 --> 00:26:59,923 a 15-second penalty for three hits. Shoddy. 562 00:27:00,024 --> 00:27:01,803 Freddie Flintoff... 563 00:27:01,903 --> 00:27:03,482 ...two minutes, 564 00:27:03,582 --> 00:27:08,682 plus a ten-second penalty for two hits in the DAF. 565 00:27:08,782 --> 00:27:10,002 But... 566 00:27:10,101 --> 00:27:12,361 - Oh, no... - ...in first place, boys, 567 00:27:12,461 --> 00:27:14,482 was there ever any doubt, 568 00:27:14,581 --> 00:27:18,440 with the 770 horsepower of the Scania? 569 00:27:18,540 --> 00:27:22,278 One minute, 47 seconds. 570 00:27:22,379 --> 00:27:24,238 - (LOUD, COMMANDING HORN) - Plus a ten-second penalty 571 00:27:24,339 --> 00:27:25,598 for the two hits. 572 00:27:25,698 --> 00:27:28,557 Thank you, boys, giving me the big... I love that. 573 00:27:28,657 --> 00:27:30,636 That's the truckers' salute. 574 00:27:30,736 --> 00:27:32,157 They recognise... 575 00:27:32,257 --> 00:27:33,676 They recognise a winner. 576 00:27:33,776 --> 00:27:37,673 I've gotta say, he might have been the slowest, 577 00:27:37,774 --> 00:27:40,115 but Chris Harris wins for that horn. 578 00:27:40,215 --> 00:27:41,994 Let's hear yours, Pad. 579 00:27:42,094 --> 00:27:43,152 (HIGH-PITCHED TOOT) 580 00:27:43,254 --> 00:27:44,673 - Ohhhh! - No! 581 00:27:44,774 --> 00:27:46,313 (LAUGHTER) 582 00:27:46,411 --> 00:27:48,553 700 horsepower and a little squeak! 583 00:27:48,652 --> 00:27:50,832 No! No! 584 00:27:50,932 --> 00:27:53,732 (LOUD, COMMANDING HORN) 585 00:27:55,969 --> 00:27:58,290 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 586 00:28:00,330 --> 00:28:02,990 - You're thinking what? - World Championship! 587 00:28:03,090 --> 00:28:04,228 (THEY LAUGH) 588 00:28:04,328 --> 00:28:05,469 Hey! 589 00:28:05,569 --> 00:28:08,467 Trucking's in the blood, lads. 590 00:28:08,569 --> 00:28:09,988 I was born to do it. 591 00:28:10,089 --> 00:28:11,948 That Scania V8, what a machine! 592 00:28:12,048 --> 00:28:14,586 Everywhere I went in that thing, 593 00:28:14,687 --> 00:28:17,186 truckers would come over to me like, "Respect." 594 00:28:17,286 --> 00:28:19,586 Respect. It was a beast of a thing, that, a beast. 595 00:28:19,686 --> 00:28:21,584 I must say, I did like the comfort of the DAF. 596 00:28:21,685 --> 00:28:25,225 That was some truck. And we found your motorsport, Pad. 597 00:28:25,323 --> 00:28:27,784 Helicopter transportation. 598 00:28:27,882 --> 00:28:29,382 I've found a niche, Fred. 599 00:28:29,484 --> 00:28:30,863 And I'm going to fill it. 600 00:28:30,964 --> 00:28:33,142 - Can I say that on the telly? - I think you just did. 601 00:28:33,243 --> 00:28:34,303 I did, yeah! 602 00:28:34,402 --> 00:28:36,502 Anyway, we'll get back to that film later in the show, 603 00:28:36,601 --> 00:28:39,422 when things get a whole lot stormier. 604 00:28:39,522 --> 00:28:40,698 But now, we must move on 605 00:28:40,801 --> 00:28:43,122 to big Chrissie Harris and a very small car. 606 00:28:44,240 --> 00:28:46,659 Yes, this is the Lotus Elise, 607 00:28:46,761 --> 00:28:50,698 the back-to-basics British sports car that arrived in 1996 608 00:28:50,798 --> 00:28:52,738 and has been on sale ever since. 609 00:28:52,839 --> 00:28:54,418 Until now, 610 00:28:54,517 --> 00:28:56,658 because Lotus has finally killed off the Elise 611 00:28:56,757 --> 00:29:00,917 and, in its place, given us something completely new. 612 00:29:06,435 --> 00:29:09,853 Straight out of Norfolk comes... 613 00:29:09,955 --> 00:29:10,973 ...the Emira. 614 00:29:11,073 --> 00:29:14,173 And first impressions are, 615 00:29:14,274 --> 00:29:16,832 it's not what you'd call ugly. 616 00:29:18,793 --> 00:29:22,892 In fact, this two-seat, mid-engine sports car 617 00:29:22,993 --> 00:29:26,111 looks a million dollars. 618 00:29:29,990 --> 00:29:34,409 But thankfully, this Lotus doesn't cost $1 million, 619 00:29:34,507 --> 00:29:37,227 or anything close. 620 00:29:43,107 --> 00:29:46,647 The car I'm driving right now - 75 grand. 621 00:29:46,747 --> 00:29:48,647 I know that's not chicken feed, 622 00:29:48,747 --> 00:29:51,165 but you tell me anything near the same price 623 00:29:51,265 --> 00:29:53,284 that is anything near as good. 624 00:29:53,386 --> 00:29:54,923 There isn't one! 625 00:29:55,024 --> 00:29:59,223 This is supercar looks for half the supercar price. 626 00:30:00,743 --> 00:30:03,243 And it's from Norfolk. 627 00:30:03,342 --> 00:30:05,342 I love it. 628 00:30:07,421 --> 00:30:10,461 And the good news doesn't end there. 629 00:30:11,982 --> 00:30:13,640 I hate the word, but look at it - 630 00:30:13,740 --> 00:30:15,560 it's nice in here. It's pleasant. 631 00:30:15,659 --> 00:30:19,040 I've got modern screens, I've got padding on the seats. 632 00:30:19,139 --> 00:30:20,839 There's no water coming through the roof. 633 00:30:20,938 --> 00:30:23,118 I'm not whacking my elbow against bits of metal. 634 00:30:23,217 --> 00:30:26,657 This is bold new territory for Lotus. 635 00:30:27,815 --> 00:30:30,397 Yes, on the road it's bigger than an Elise, 636 00:30:30,496 --> 00:30:32,877 but, frankly, there are pencil cases 637 00:30:32,976 --> 00:30:34,755 that are bigger than an Elise. 638 00:30:34,852 --> 00:30:37,794 But I'm on a damp Welsh road, 639 00:30:37,894 --> 00:30:39,632 and this is Lotus territory. 640 00:30:39,734 --> 00:30:42,714 This car is sublime in these conditions. 641 00:30:42,813 --> 00:30:45,232 It just glides over the surface. 642 00:30:45,332 --> 00:30:47,332 It breathes with the road. 643 00:30:48,052 --> 00:30:50,351 Lotus is better at making cars 644 00:30:50,448 --> 00:30:53,490 for bumpy British roads than any other sports car company. 645 00:30:57,890 --> 00:31:01,188 But it's not enough for this new Emira 646 00:31:01,290 --> 00:31:04,389 just to do the business on the road. Lotus's history, 647 00:31:04,488 --> 00:31:06,786 its very DNA, 648 00:31:06,888 --> 00:31:08,267 is racing. 649 00:31:08,368 --> 00:31:09,627 And that means 650 00:31:09,726 --> 00:31:13,086 the Emira really has to do the business on the track... 651 00:31:16,647 --> 00:31:19,144 ...where at first glance you'd be forgiven 652 00:31:19,245 --> 00:31:21,823 for thinking they've missed a trick. 653 00:31:21,923 --> 00:31:24,063 The engine is a supercharged V6 654 00:31:24,165 --> 00:31:26,165 with about 400 horsepower. 655 00:31:27,563 --> 00:31:30,123 (ENGINE ROARS) 656 00:31:32,922 --> 00:31:35,261 0-60 - four and a half seconds, 657 00:31:35,361 --> 00:31:37,361 and over 180mph. 658 00:31:38,680 --> 00:31:41,819 I know. Hardly tear-your-face-off quick 659 00:31:41,919 --> 00:31:42,977 in this day and age. 660 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:47,139 The truth is, though, Lotus has never really been too obsessed 661 00:31:47,238 --> 00:31:49,658 with those big numbers. Lotus's obsession 662 00:31:49,757 --> 00:31:52,377 has always been what makes the difference 663 00:31:52,477 --> 00:31:55,377 between a car that's good to drive 664 00:31:55,476 --> 00:31:57,476 and a car that's great to drive. 665 00:32:03,156 --> 00:32:05,415 The steering is just razor-sharp. 666 00:32:05,515 --> 00:32:06,973 The front of the car follows the direction 667 00:32:07,073 --> 00:32:09,435 exactly you want it to do. 668 00:32:10,794 --> 00:32:13,573 Every other sports car maker now - electric. 669 00:32:13,673 --> 00:32:17,552 But Lotus has a hydraulic power steering rack purely for feel. 670 00:32:18,792 --> 00:32:20,611 Boy, does it make a difference! 671 00:32:20,711 --> 00:32:23,511 The steering on this car is sublime. 672 00:32:25,069 --> 00:32:26,930 Especially as it's been paired with, 673 00:32:27,031 --> 00:32:30,409 yes, that manual gearbox. 674 00:32:30,507 --> 00:32:32,848 Lotus's founder, Colin Chapman, 675 00:32:32,948 --> 00:32:35,928 always insisted that the gear lever be no more 676 00:32:36,027 --> 00:32:38,368 than a hand's width away from the steering wheel. 677 00:32:38,467 --> 00:32:41,526 And, look, in the Emira - perfection! 678 00:32:41,627 --> 00:32:43,627 Perfection. 679 00:32:47,505 --> 00:32:50,485 (TYRES SCREECH) 680 00:32:50,584 --> 00:32:53,702 (LAUGHS) 681 00:33:05,781 --> 00:33:07,240 For price and power, 682 00:33:07,341 --> 00:33:09,319 this thing is bang on a Porsche Cayman rival. 683 00:33:09,419 --> 00:33:11,899 And that is some stiff competition. 684 00:33:15,139 --> 00:33:17,798 Would I really choose one of these over the Porsche? 685 00:33:17,898 --> 00:33:20,398 Well, I think, as a road car, 686 00:33:20,498 --> 00:33:22,118 the chassis is more comfortable in this. 687 00:33:22,217 --> 00:33:24,197 It's probably got it licked. 688 00:33:24,296 --> 00:33:25,836 And it looks better to my eyes as well. 689 00:33:25,937 --> 00:33:29,336 I can make a very good argument for having one of these. 690 00:33:33,136 --> 00:33:35,373 (TYRES SCREECH) 691 00:33:39,014 --> 00:33:41,714 The Emira, then, looks great, it goes great, 692 00:33:41,813 --> 00:33:45,672 it costs a not insane amount of money. 693 00:33:45,772 --> 00:33:47,772 So what's the catch? 694 00:33:48,690 --> 00:33:51,151 The catch is... this all-new Lotus 695 00:33:51,252 --> 00:33:54,227 isn't quite so all new as Lotus would have you believe. 696 00:33:54,330 --> 00:33:56,310 The engine, borrowed from Toyota - 697 00:33:56,409 --> 00:33:59,389 basically the same as the one from the old Evora. 698 00:33:59,488 --> 00:34:00,869 Same with the gearbox. 699 00:34:00,969 --> 00:34:01,948 Under the skin, 700 00:34:02,048 --> 00:34:03,988 this is the same old Lotus formula 701 00:34:04,089 --> 00:34:07,246 wearing designer sunglasses and a fancy new scarf. 702 00:34:09,002 --> 00:34:13,604 But you know what - that doesn't matter one bit. 703 00:34:16,283 --> 00:34:18,283 The old Lotus formula was great. 704 00:34:19,841 --> 00:34:22,702 You don't want your local chippy pivoting towards 705 00:34:22,801 --> 00:34:24,783 Mongolian fusion cuisine, do you? 706 00:34:24,881 --> 00:34:27,760 You want an honest lump of battered cod. 707 00:34:29,082 --> 00:34:31,662 It might be an old recipe, 708 00:34:31,760 --> 00:34:35,260 but it is still a classic. 709 00:34:35,359 --> 00:34:37,100 I don't need more than 400 horsepower. 710 00:34:37,198 --> 00:34:39,680 How fast can you actually go on the road? 711 00:34:40,877 --> 00:34:42,859 You can enjoy more of a car like this... 712 00:34:42,957 --> 00:34:45,278 ...in more places, more often. 713 00:34:46,318 --> 00:34:48,716 It's fit for Britain. 714 00:34:50,796 --> 00:34:53,135 And we need to enjoy it while we can, 715 00:34:53,234 --> 00:34:56,493 because the Emira might just be... 716 00:34:56,595 --> 00:34:58,814 ...the end of an era. 717 00:34:58,917 --> 00:35:01,814 They say this is the last petrol-powered Lotus. 718 00:35:01,912 --> 00:35:04,091 From here on in, it's electric. 719 00:35:04,193 --> 00:35:06,653 I'm OK with that. Times change. 720 00:35:06,752 --> 00:35:08,734 But when it is all electric, let's not forget 721 00:35:08,832 --> 00:35:11,113 how good this car was. 722 00:35:13,073 --> 00:35:14,493 I said last year 723 00:35:14,591 --> 00:35:16,171 that this was one of the cars 724 00:35:16,269 --> 00:35:18,908 I was most looking forward to driving in 2022. 725 00:35:20,269 --> 00:35:22,747 So, does it live up to expectations? 726 00:35:23,787 --> 00:35:25,787 Absolutely! 727 00:35:31,506 --> 00:35:33,707 Absolutely! 728 00:35:35,345 --> 00:35:37,345 (LAUGHS) 729 00:35:42,024 --> 00:35:44,265 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 730 00:35:46,345 --> 00:35:48,801 Do you know, I've got to say, 731 00:35:48,903 --> 00:35:52,162 for the money, that is a beautiful car. 732 00:35:52,260 --> 00:35:54,243 And it gets even better. This one that I drove - 733 00:35:54,341 --> 00:35:55,841 75 grand. 734 00:35:55,943 --> 00:35:58,243 Next year, there's going to be a cheaper one, 735 00:35:58,341 --> 00:35:59,600 under 60 grand, 736 00:35:59,702 --> 00:36:01,238 with a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine 737 00:36:01,341 --> 00:36:03,318 from the Mercedes A 45 hot hatch. 738 00:36:03,421 --> 00:36:05,560 I cannot wait to drive that one! 739 00:36:05,658 --> 00:36:06,957 My problem with Lotuses... 740 00:36:07,060 --> 00:36:09,158 - I can never get in 'em. I'm too big. 741 00:36:09,260 --> 00:36:10,716 You struggled with the HGV! 742 00:36:10,818 --> 00:36:12,836 (LAUGHTER) 743 00:36:12,935 --> 00:36:13,717 And I'm looking at this 744 00:36:13,819 --> 00:36:15,355 thinking there might be a chance. 745 00:36:15,458 --> 00:36:17,275 - Do you mind if I...? - Slip on in, Fred. 746 00:36:17,377 --> 00:36:20,636 New idea for a show here, Pad. Can Fred Fit In It? 747 00:36:20,735 --> 00:36:22,114 (LAUGHTER) 748 00:36:22,217 --> 00:36:25,275 Ooh! No problem. I cannot believe it. 749 00:36:25,373 --> 00:36:26,913 I thought we were gonna have to put lard 750 00:36:27,016 --> 00:36:28,632 round the doorframes or summat like that. 751 00:36:28,735 --> 00:36:30,074 - It's like a TARDIS. - It is. 752 00:36:30,172 --> 00:36:32,315 I tell you what this is. I want one. 753 00:36:32,413 --> 00:36:34,275 - Are you enjoying it? - Genuinely, I want one. 754 00:36:34,373 --> 00:36:36,752 OK. All right. Well, while Fred makes himself comfy, 755 00:36:36,851 --> 00:36:38,873 it's time to batten down the hatches 756 00:36:38,971 --> 00:36:41,891 and get back to our big HGV adventure. 757 00:36:44,052 --> 00:36:46,788 (NEWS THEME MUSIC) 758 00:36:46,891 --> 00:36:49,190 NEWSREADER: BBC News at ten o'clock. This is Nick Quraishi. 759 00:36:49,288 --> 00:36:52,391 The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning 760 00:36:52,489 --> 00:36:54,547 for parts of South West England and South Wales 761 00:36:54,650 --> 00:36:55,828 tomorrow morning, 762 00:36:55,927 --> 00:36:59,168 as Storm Eunice moves in from the Atlantic. 763 00:37:00,605 --> 00:37:03,846 CHRIS: Our mighty convoy was closing in on Wales. 764 00:37:05,364 --> 00:37:07,364 Look at this, boys! 765 00:37:07,927 --> 00:37:10,386 But with our destination on the south coast 766 00:37:10,485 --> 00:37:11,824 now within easy reach, 767 00:37:11,922 --> 00:37:13,623 approaching the Severn 768 00:37:13,726 --> 00:37:15,462 we were bracing ourselves 769 00:37:15,565 --> 00:37:19,623 for another of trucking's rites of passage. 770 00:37:19,721 --> 00:37:21,101 Feel it now, Chris. We're coming onto it. 771 00:37:21,203 --> 00:37:23,302 I can feel the wind. 772 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:25,060 - (WIND GUSTS) - (CHUCKLES) 773 00:37:25,159 --> 00:37:27,199 (LAUGHS) 774 00:37:41,958 --> 00:37:43,337 The back of your trailer's 775 00:37:43,435 --> 00:37:46,177 having a little sway there, Chris. 776 00:37:46,275 --> 00:37:48,534 Even though I'm getting blown around a bit, 777 00:37:48,636 --> 00:37:50,337 the whole thing does feel very stable, though. 778 00:37:50,435 --> 00:37:52,217 I don't feel I'm having to steer into it much. 779 00:37:52,315 --> 00:37:53,815 What about you? 780 00:37:53,913 --> 00:37:55,913 Not even deviated off the straight, this thing. 781 00:37:59,712 --> 00:38:00,891 PADDY: Truth be told, 782 00:38:00,993 --> 00:38:03,493 our modern HGV masterpieces 783 00:38:03,592 --> 00:38:06,493 weren't in the least bit bothered about the breeze. 784 00:38:06,592 --> 00:38:07,574 Tell you what, though, 785 00:38:07,672 --> 00:38:10,592 being this high up, the views are amazing. 786 00:38:12,391 --> 00:38:14,132 But if you're starting to think 787 00:38:14,230 --> 00:38:16,011 this trucking game might be for you, 788 00:38:16,110 --> 00:38:20,690 it's worth mentioning that life isn't just about mega-machinery 789 00:38:20,788 --> 00:38:22,788 and comfy cabs. 790 00:38:24,547 --> 00:38:27,886 When you're a trucker, your life is ruled 791 00:38:27,985 --> 00:38:29,248 by the tacho. 792 00:38:29,346 --> 00:38:31,726 And I'm not on about the tasty Mexican snack either. 793 00:38:31,824 --> 00:38:33,685 I'm on about this bit of kit up here. 794 00:38:33,784 --> 00:38:35,043 That's a tachograph. 795 00:38:35,145 --> 00:38:38,726 And a tachograph logs all your hours behind the wheel 796 00:38:38,824 --> 00:38:41,266 to make sure you stick within the rules. 797 00:38:43,623 --> 00:38:47,404 Rules like - you've got nine hours of driving every day, 798 00:38:47,502 --> 00:38:50,583 apart from twice a week, where you've got ten hours. 799 00:38:51,900 --> 00:38:54,962 Then you've got 11 hours of consecutive rest, 800 00:38:55,060 --> 00:38:56,882 apart from three times a week, 801 00:38:56,980 --> 00:38:58,440 where it can be nine hours. 802 00:38:58,538 --> 00:39:01,319 Then you've got 56 driving hours a week, 803 00:39:01,418 --> 00:39:04,520 or no more than 90 hours every two weeks. 804 00:39:04,618 --> 00:39:07,319 Oh, and every four and a half hours, 805 00:39:07,418 --> 00:39:09,418 you've got to take a 45-minute break. 806 00:39:10,458 --> 00:39:13,078 And trust me, if you don't know those rules, 807 00:39:13,177 --> 00:39:16,418 they'll come down on you like a ton of Yorkies. 808 00:39:19,534 --> 00:39:21,757 FRED: Of course, you do soon become familiar 809 00:39:21,855 --> 00:39:23,895 with all the rules and regs. 810 00:39:25,574 --> 00:39:30,511 You might even start to have a bit of fun. 811 00:39:30,610 --> 00:39:34,632 OK, I'm coming past, Frederick. I'm coming past. 812 00:39:34,730 --> 00:39:36,592 Oh, he's making a move. Go on, Chris, 813 00:39:36,690 --> 00:39:38,029 I'll flash you in, Chris. 814 00:39:38,132 --> 00:39:40,810 - FRED: Not yet, not yet. - CHRIS: Double flash, please. 815 00:39:41,971 --> 00:39:43,971 FRED: In you come. In you come. 816 00:39:45,891 --> 00:39:49,668 Tell you what, boys, we are making such good time, 817 00:39:49,770 --> 00:39:51,507 I think we might need to head off 818 00:39:51,610 --> 00:39:54,190 and find some proper, open trucking roads. 819 00:39:54,288 --> 00:39:55,467 What do you reckon? 820 00:39:55,565 --> 00:39:57,565 Well up for that. 821 00:40:01,248 --> 00:40:04,507 FRED: But in the world of trucking, 822 00:40:04,605 --> 00:40:07,726 it turns out nothing is straightforward... 823 00:40:09,485 --> 00:40:12,962 ...least of all when you leave the motorway behind. 824 00:40:16,360 --> 00:40:17,302 Remember I told you 825 00:40:17,400 --> 00:40:19,400 we were gonna find some nice open roads? 826 00:40:20,002 --> 00:40:21,382 FRED: I'm not sure this is 827 00:40:21,480 --> 00:40:24,101 what I had in mind, Chris, to be honest. 828 00:40:24,199 --> 00:40:25,502 This is tight! 829 00:40:25,601 --> 00:40:28,020 This is where I really admire seasoned truckers. 830 00:40:28,118 --> 00:40:31,377 The way they navigate these small towns is very impressive. 831 00:40:31,480 --> 00:40:35,016 PADDY: You're testing our skills here, Christopher. 832 00:40:35,118 --> 00:40:36,217 FRED: I feel like I'm on 833 00:40:36,319 --> 00:40:38,319 a constant hazard perception test. 834 00:40:47,435 --> 00:40:50,413 CHRIS: That right-hander is hideous. Be careful. 835 00:40:50,516 --> 00:40:53,793 Nice and wide, Paddy, lad. Nice and wide. 836 00:40:59,552 --> 00:41:01,552 BYSTANDER: Go on, Paddy! 837 00:41:05,230 --> 00:41:07,569 Driving through Abergavenny there, 838 00:41:07,668 --> 00:41:10,368 if I'd have done that in a car, I'd have swore blind 839 00:41:10,471 --> 00:41:13,248 you'd have never have got an HGV through there. 840 00:41:13,351 --> 00:41:16,730 I mean, it is a bit tight, don't get me wrong, 841 00:41:16,828 --> 00:41:20,927 but it's amazing the roads you can get along and through - 842 00:41:21,029 --> 00:41:23,208 providing everyone moves out of the way. 843 00:41:23,306 --> 00:41:27,668 Which, of course, you soon find they often don't. 844 00:41:28,904 --> 00:41:30,806 Bit of a div parked his Kia right here 845 00:41:30,904 --> 00:41:32,904 on a double yellow. 846 00:41:33,266 --> 00:41:35,266 Where? 847 00:41:36,623 --> 00:41:38,623 Bloomin' heck, it's tight round here. 848 00:41:47,261 --> 00:41:48,520 PADDY ON RADIO: Watch this little white car 849 00:41:48,623 --> 00:41:49,560 coming towards you an' all. 850 00:41:49,663 --> 00:41:51,601 This is actually one of the advantages 851 00:41:51,699 --> 00:41:52,802 of being at the back. 852 00:41:52,900 --> 00:41:55,958 Jeez, that was tight. That wasn't fun there. 853 00:41:56,060 --> 00:41:58,060 That was tense. 854 00:42:01,257 --> 00:42:04,998 CHRIS: But stick with the trucking game long enough, 855 00:42:05,096 --> 00:42:10,016 and every now and again you'll discover a little bit of magic. 856 00:42:13,694 --> 00:42:15,694 Wales is beautiful. Look at those hills. 857 00:42:21,092 --> 00:42:24,453 PADDY: I've got to say... this is proper. 858 00:42:30,092 --> 00:42:32,150 CHRIS: Welsh hills, sunshine's out, 859 00:42:32,252 --> 00:42:35,270 and I've got over 600 horsepower. 860 00:42:35,373 --> 00:42:37,373 What a recipe! 861 00:42:41,248 --> 00:42:43,391 Genuinely strange, coming on all the roads that I've used 862 00:42:43,489 --> 00:42:46,708 for 20 years to test supercars...in a truck. 863 00:42:46,810 --> 00:42:48,806 It's really quite pleasant. 864 00:42:49,127 --> 00:42:51,627 PADDY: What a machine this is! 865 00:42:51,726 --> 00:42:54,547 FRED: The DAF is loving it. Absolutely loving it. 866 00:42:54,645 --> 00:42:56,645 Just skipping up the hills. 867 00:42:57,927 --> 00:42:58,904 PADDY: Tell you what, boys, 868 00:42:59,007 --> 00:43:00,306 when we did the time trial before, 869 00:43:00,404 --> 00:43:02,386 with the old helicopters on the back, 870 00:43:02,485 --> 00:43:04,427 and you started having a go at me about me horn, 871 00:43:04,525 --> 00:43:05,944 well, I've found a little button 872 00:43:06,043 --> 00:43:11,141 in the Scania cab which turns the average horn into 873 00:43:11,243 --> 00:43:13,623 a super-horn. Do you wanna have a little listen? 874 00:43:13,721 --> 00:43:14,940 Fire away. 875 00:43:15,043 --> 00:43:19,400 (HORN BLARES) 876 00:43:21,440 --> 00:43:23,440 PADDY: Lovely stuff. 877 00:43:28,560 --> 00:43:30,618 FRED: It is stunning, though. What a day to see it. 878 00:43:30,717 --> 00:43:32,377 I know there's a bit of wind knocking about 879 00:43:32,476 --> 00:43:34,476 but the sun's out. Beautiful. 880 00:43:35,717 --> 00:43:37,717 CHRIS: It really was. 881 00:43:38,677 --> 00:43:41,016 But as we climbed higher into the Brecon Beacons, 882 00:43:41,114 --> 00:43:44,574 that "bit of wind knocking about" 883 00:43:44,677 --> 00:43:47,016 was definitely getting stronger. 884 00:43:47,114 --> 00:43:49,453 (WIND GUSTS) 885 00:43:49,552 --> 00:43:51,993 Oh, it's blowing now! 886 00:43:53,355 --> 00:43:55,931 Ho-ho, dear me! 887 00:43:56,034 --> 00:43:58,552 Having to concentrate a bit harder now, aren't we? 888 00:43:59,592 --> 00:44:01,793 They are amazing bits of engineering. 889 00:44:03,150 --> 00:44:04,489 I know we're saying it's tough, 890 00:44:04,592 --> 00:44:07,368 but just twirling a wheel, foot on the brake, 891 00:44:07,471 --> 00:44:08,851 the vehicle does the rest. 892 00:44:08,949 --> 00:44:11,328 Just incredible bits of engineering. 893 00:44:11,427 --> 00:44:14,328 Although on a narrow, winding road, 894 00:44:14,427 --> 00:44:17,690 in increasingly blustery conditions, 895 00:44:17,788 --> 00:44:21,007 things soon become less incredible when one of those 896 00:44:21,105 --> 00:44:24,904 "bits of engineering" comes the other way. 897 00:44:26,025 --> 00:44:28,025 (BLEEP!) 898 00:44:28,708 --> 00:44:30,703 FRED: Whoa! 899 00:44:32,467 --> 00:44:34,002 That was horrible. Did you see that? 900 00:44:34,105 --> 00:44:36,364 Literally that come from nowhere. 901 00:44:36,462 --> 00:44:38,462 That was a close one, that. 902 00:44:39,583 --> 00:44:42,123 And it was just another timely reminder 903 00:44:42,221 --> 00:44:47,141 of what truck driving is really all about. 904 00:44:49,940 --> 00:44:52,302 So much responsibility in driving one of these. 905 00:44:53,779 --> 00:44:56,360 You've gotta be on it all the time. 906 00:44:56,458 --> 00:44:57,641 And you think about that 907 00:44:57,739 --> 00:44:59,976 day after day after day after day. 908 00:45:02,538 --> 00:45:04,538 This is hard graft. 909 00:45:05,297 --> 00:45:08,118 Truckers watching this, they'll know what I'm on about. 910 00:45:08,217 --> 00:45:10,418 I'm not sure I've got it in me, to be honest. 911 00:45:13,373 --> 00:45:17,873 With the day drawing in and the weather deteriorating, 912 00:45:17,976 --> 00:45:19,194 it was time to leave 913 00:45:19,293 --> 00:45:21,293 the scenic detour behind. 914 00:45:22,092 --> 00:45:24,315 The priority now was to get as close 915 00:45:24,413 --> 00:45:29,971 to our final destination as we could...before this. 916 00:45:31,891 --> 00:45:33,471 NEWSREADER: Storm Eunice hits the UK, 917 00:45:33,569 --> 00:45:36,351 with powerful winds causing injury, damage and destruction. 918 00:45:36,449 --> 00:45:38,351 BYSTANDER: Oh, my God! 919 00:45:38,449 --> 00:45:41,310 REPORTER: For what's thought to be the first time ever, 920 00:45:41,409 --> 00:45:43,668 both bridges here across the Severn Estuary have closed 921 00:45:43,770 --> 00:45:45,766 because of the high winds. 922 00:45:47,485 --> 00:45:49,708 FRED: Storm Eunice 923 00:45:49,806 --> 00:45:51,927 had been giving Britain a bashing. 924 00:45:53,806 --> 00:45:56,904 And once the worst had passed, 925 00:45:57,007 --> 00:46:01,007 how grateful we were to reach the end of the road. 926 00:46:03,043 --> 00:46:09,743 Oh, there she is. Pembrey Circuit. We made it, boys. 927 00:46:09,842 --> 00:46:11,302 FRED: I've had easier drives than 928 00:46:11,400 --> 00:46:13,400 that in me life. 929 00:46:15,002 --> 00:46:16,020 A lot of sympathy 930 00:46:16,123 --> 00:46:19,440 for HGV drivers in these conditions. It's horrible. 931 00:46:22,159 --> 00:46:24,337 But we weren't done yet, 932 00:46:24,440 --> 00:46:26,779 because we had finally pulled up 933 00:46:26,877 --> 00:46:29,418 at the home of Welsh motorsport, 934 00:46:29,516 --> 00:46:33,297 where it turned out all this time 935 00:46:33,395 --> 00:46:37,056 we'd been hauling everything we needed to go... 936 00:46:37,154 --> 00:46:39,154 ...truck racing. 937 00:46:40,395 --> 00:46:42,735 With over 1,000 horsepower, 938 00:46:42,833 --> 00:46:46,373 ten times the torque of your average supercar, 939 00:46:46,476 --> 00:46:47,654 all reined in by enormous, 940 00:46:47,752 --> 00:46:50,092 steam-billowing, water-cooled brakes, 941 00:46:50,194 --> 00:46:52,212 these five-tonne, 942 00:46:52,315 --> 00:46:55,770 rear-wheel-drive, custom-built monsters 943 00:46:55,873 --> 00:46:58,511 are not for the faint of heart. 944 00:47:00,552 --> 00:47:04,690 A typical race sees grids of up to 20 trucks 945 00:47:04,788 --> 00:47:07,511 doing battle at speeds of 100mph. 946 00:47:09,868 --> 00:47:11,529 And because on an unfamiliar track during 947 00:47:11,627 --> 00:47:13,368 an extreme weather event, 948 00:47:13,467 --> 00:47:15,726 diving straight into this kind of action 949 00:47:15,828 --> 00:47:17,828 would be just plain stupid... 950 00:47:19,467 --> 00:47:21,467 What a lovely day for a truck race. 951 00:47:22,748 --> 00:47:24,444 ...before giving it a go ourselves, 952 00:47:24,543 --> 00:47:26,726 we'd generously been given a couple of laps 953 00:47:26,824 --> 00:47:28,846 to get to grips... 954 00:47:28,944 --> 00:47:31,404 ...with our new rigs. 955 00:47:31,502 --> 00:47:32,766 These things are huge. 956 00:47:32,864 --> 00:47:34,860 Tell you what, though, it's exciting. 957 00:47:36,663 --> 00:47:38,663 Here we go. 958 00:47:43,940 --> 00:47:46,342 Pad, Pad, Pad, no, Pad! 959 00:47:48,659 --> 00:47:49,560 (CRASH!) 960 00:47:49,659 --> 00:47:52,141 Ohhh! (BLEEP!) 961 00:47:53,940 --> 00:47:57,636 PADDY: These racing trucks are tough old birds. 962 00:47:57,735 --> 00:47:59,360 And with no harm done... 963 00:47:59,458 --> 00:48:01,078 ...apart from that bit, 964 00:48:01,177 --> 00:48:04,275 back at the pits, it was just a case of waiting 965 00:48:04,377 --> 00:48:08,596 for Eunice to pepper the track with a hailstorm, 966 00:48:08,694 --> 00:48:11,895 and then, apparently, it was time to go racing. 967 00:48:15,092 --> 00:48:17,855 Here we go, little bit of damp on the road. 968 00:48:19,092 --> 00:48:21,034 Practise, don't you, in the dry, 969 00:48:21,132 --> 00:48:24,034 then it's hailstones and we're in the damp. 970 00:48:24,132 --> 00:48:26,230 PADDY: Oh, and just for good measure, 971 00:48:26,333 --> 00:48:29,793 we'd be starting from the front of the grid. 972 00:48:29,891 --> 00:48:30,833 Gotta be honest, I... 973 00:48:30,931 --> 00:48:32,949 ...I'd have sooner have been at the back of the grid. 974 00:48:33,052 --> 00:48:36,927 Now I've got the cast of Convoy hurtling past me. 975 00:48:38,489 --> 00:48:41,909 CHRIS: Yes, truck racing traditionally plays out 976 00:48:42,007 --> 00:48:43,547 in 15-minute bouts, 977 00:48:43,650 --> 00:48:46,967 often using a reverse grid system. 978 00:48:48,485 --> 00:48:50,507 Putting the slowest drivers at the front 979 00:48:50,605 --> 00:48:52,025 is a good way to ensure 980 00:48:52,127 --> 00:48:55,467 lots of high-octane action. 981 00:48:55,565 --> 00:48:57,346 Never thought I'd do a formation lap behind 982 00:48:57,444 --> 00:48:59,502 Flintoff and McGuinness. 983 00:48:59,605 --> 00:49:02,025 Putting us lot at the front, 984 00:49:02,123 --> 00:49:04,462 on the other hand, is madness. 985 00:49:04,565 --> 00:49:07,221 FRED: Paddy, what you doing? 986 00:49:07,324 --> 00:49:08,784 Formation, Pad. 987 00:49:08,882 --> 00:49:10,663 CHRIS: Fred needs to get by the side of him. 988 00:49:10,761 --> 00:49:12,779 What is Paddy doing? 989 00:49:12,882 --> 00:49:15,221 This is the only time I'll be at the front. 990 00:49:15,319 --> 00:49:17,319 So, I'm just enjoying it! 991 00:49:19,118 --> 00:49:20,177 FRED: Here we go, lead car's 992 00:49:20,279 --> 00:49:22,418 pulling out. 993 00:49:22,520 --> 00:49:24,520 Let's go. 994 00:49:25,360 --> 00:49:27,360 Come on! 995 00:49:32,516 --> 00:49:34,958 Ohhh, I'm all over the bloody shop. 996 00:49:38,275 --> 00:49:41,355 Blooming heck, he's muscled me out already, Pad. 997 00:49:42,993 --> 00:49:45,114 CHRIS: Let's try and get away from him. 998 00:49:48,552 --> 00:49:50,552 This is sketchy. 999 00:49:51,913 --> 00:49:53,092 I'll tell you what, 1000 00:49:53,190 --> 00:49:54,891 it's completely different in the wet. 1001 00:49:54,993 --> 00:49:56,851 Slow down. 1002 00:49:56,949 --> 00:49:59,069 Into the hairpin. 1003 00:50:02,668 --> 00:50:04,668 Whoooo-ho-ho! 1004 00:50:06,310 --> 00:50:08,310 Lost it. 1005 00:50:10,507 --> 00:50:13,967 - Oh, Paddy's off again. - Can I get back out? 1006 00:50:14,065 --> 00:50:16,288 Oh, no! 1007 00:50:16,386 --> 00:50:19,043 No. Come on! 1008 00:50:19,145 --> 00:50:21,806 Paddy McGuinness is off. 1009 00:50:21,904 --> 00:50:25,985 Oh, absolutely devastated! 1010 00:50:27,462 --> 00:50:30,364 FRED: Just one minute into our 15-minute race... 1011 00:50:30,462 --> 00:50:31,962 It's a red flag. 1012 00:50:32,065 --> 00:50:34,002 It's a red flag! 1013 00:50:34,101 --> 00:50:36,324 ...we'd all been told 1014 00:50:36,422 --> 00:50:38,422 to stop. 1015 00:50:38,900 --> 00:50:41,319 And while McGuinness's truck was recovered to safety, 1016 00:50:41,418 --> 00:50:43,319 we headed back to the grid, 1017 00:50:43,418 --> 00:50:44,641 ready to restart 1018 00:50:44,739 --> 00:50:47,918 from where we were sitting when the race was red-flagged. 1019 00:50:48,020 --> 00:50:52,998 That meant Harris was up front, I was in fourth, 1020 00:50:53,101 --> 00:50:56,596 and McGuinness would be at the back. 1021 00:50:56,699 --> 00:50:57,877 And I've gotta be honest, 1022 00:50:57,976 --> 00:51:02,136 it feels nicer here. It feels a lot nicer. 1023 00:51:09,257 --> 00:51:12,735 FRED: Here we go. And we're away again. 1024 00:51:15,132 --> 00:51:16,953 CHRIS: So we now appear to be in P-1, 1025 00:51:17,052 --> 00:51:18,275 which in my experience is 1026 00:51:18,373 --> 00:51:20,190 exactly where you don't wanna be for 1027 00:51:20,293 --> 00:51:23,333 a restart, cos you've just got a massive target on your back. 1028 00:51:24,529 --> 00:51:27,351 FRED: With 14 minutes left to survive... 1029 00:51:27,449 --> 00:51:28,391 Get your wipers on, 1030 00:51:28,489 --> 00:51:29,668 it's starting to rain. 1031 00:51:29,770 --> 00:51:34,489 ...it was time to go racing again. 1032 00:51:37,690 --> 00:51:40,427 Bloody hell. I say it's better at the back, 1033 00:51:40,529 --> 00:51:42,266 but it actually feels worse. 1034 00:51:42,368 --> 00:51:43,788 Cor blimey, 1035 00:51:43,886 --> 00:51:45,427 look at the congestion here. 1036 00:51:45,525 --> 00:51:47,525 Go, go, go, go, go. 1037 00:51:50,404 --> 00:51:51,824 Dear me. 1038 00:51:51,927 --> 00:51:54,163 I've got someone right up my chuff now. 1039 00:51:56,605 --> 00:51:58,382 Oh, I went wide. 1040 00:51:58,485 --> 00:52:02,002 Oh, there's one coming up the inside there, he's got me. 1041 00:52:04,163 --> 00:52:06,221 Get the windscreens on, get the windscreens on. 1042 00:52:06,324 --> 00:52:08,882 I can barely see. 1043 00:52:10,842 --> 00:52:12,860 Ohh, got it back. 1044 00:52:12,958 --> 00:52:14,958 My word. 1045 00:52:16,560 --> 00:52:19,319 CHRIS: He's coming for me, he's coming for me. 1046 00:52:21,560 --> 00:52:23,556 I've gotta cover that inside line. 1047 00:52:25,078 --> 00:52:27,275 This is tricky. 1048 00:52:28,797 --> 00:52:31,096 Jeez, come on, keep going. 1049 00:52:31,194 --> 00:52:34,096 Yes, Fred, that's better. 1050 00:52:34,194 --> 00:52:36,275 Not too fast round here. No, no, stay on. 1051 00:52:39,993 --> 00:52:41,976 As the minutes ticked away, 1052 00:52:42,074 --> 00:52:45,172 the midfield were gradually picking me off. 1053 00:52:45,275 --> 00:52:47,534 Going up me inside. 1054 00:52:47,632 --> 00:52:48,931 Keep going, Fred. 1055 00:52:49,034 --> 00:52:52,293 And it's safe to say me and McGuinness were really 1056 00:52:52,391 --> 00:52:55,730 just trying to bring our 150-grand racing rigs 1057 00:52:55,833 --> 00:52:57,828 back in one piece. 1058 00:52:58,788 --> 00:53:02,668 The windscreen wipers have gone. I can't see. 1059 00:53:04,230 --> 00:53:05,846 My word! 1060 00:53:05,949 --> 00:53:08,650 But up at the front, 1061 00:53:08,748 --> 00:53:11,288 Harris had spent most 1062 00:53:11,386 --> 00:53:13,927 of his first ever truck race in the lead. 1063 00:53:14,025 --> 00:53:16,025 Come on! 1064 00:53:16,864 --> 00:53:19,043 And now, with just a few minutes left 1065 00:53:19,145 --> 00:53:22,802 to the chequered flag, the fight for the podium 1066 00:53:22,904 --> 00:53:24,904 was on. 1067 00:53:28,141 --> 00:53:30,243 Sliding everywhere now. 1068 00:53:30,342 --> 00:53:33,721 They've got a surprising amount of grip, 1069 00:53:33,824 --> 00:53:34,962 but if ever the grip goes away, 1070 00:53:35,060 --> 00:53:37,060 it's catastrophic. 1071 00:53:39,221 --> 00:53:40,641 PADDY: No, no, no, no, no, 1072 00:53:40,739 --> 00:53:42,998 not this time. No, no, no, come on. 1073 00:53:43,101 --> 00:53:45,560 Get it back, get it back, get it back. 1074 00:53:45,659 --> 00:53:47,877 Get it back. Yes, yes, 1075 00:53:47,980 --> 00:53:51,038 yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. 1076 00:53:51,136 --> 00:53:53,217 Ohhh. Got it back. 1077 00:53:55,699 --> 00:53:57,699 CHRIS: Come on, old girl. 1078 00:53:59,337 --> 00:54:01,556 This big fella's coming through. 1079 00:54:01,654 --> 00:54:03,815 Come on! 1080 00:54:10,855 --> 00:54:12,511 FRED: Oh, a bit of a lock-up. 1081 00:54:12,610 --> 00:54:15,132 (BLEEP!) I let him through. 1082 00:54:21,409 --> 00:54:22,552 Whoa. 1083 00:54:22,650 --> 00:54:25,351 Didn't really think that was gonna happen. 1084 00:54:25,449 --> 00:54:27,449 Got thumped out the way. 1085 00:54:29,092 --> 00:54:31,208 Come on, keep going, keep working. 1086 00:54:32,891 --> 00:54:34,886 I can stay with them, but I can't catch them. 1087 00:54:40,168 --> 00:54:42,168 Bit of oversteer there. 1088 00:54:47,685 --> 00:54:50,444 P-3. I'll take that. 1089 00:54:51,485 --> 00:54:52,944 I'll take that. 1090 00:54:53,043 --> 00:54:56,284 Wow. Wonder where the others are. 1091 00:54:58,922 --> 00:55:00,922 There we go. 1092 00:55:02,163 --> 00:55:04,202 Tell you what, 1093 00:55:04,300 --> 00:55:06,460 concentrated so hard, jeez. 1094 00:55:12,018 --> 00:55:12,960 Woooo! 1095 00:55:13,059 --> 00:55:15,077 Wow, that was sketchy. 1096 00:55:15,179 --> 00:55:17,179 PADDY: That... 1097 00:55:20,858 --> 00:55:23,255 ...was trucking. 1098 00:55:26,135 --> 00:55:28,135 (CHEERING) 1099 00:55:30,094 --> 00:55:31,237 That was intense. 1100 00:55:31,335 --> 00:55:32,474 - That was intense. - It was, it was. 1101 00:55:32,577 --> 00:55:35,755 But, congratulations, Chris Harris, 1102 00:55:35,853 --> 00:55:37,795 a podium on your very first outing! 1103 00:55:37,893 --> 00:55:39,893 Go on, Chrissie! 1104 00:55:40,532 --> 00:55:42,532 (CHEERING) 1105 00:55:42,832 --> 00:55:44,131 They were not messing about. 1106 00:55:44,229 --> 00:55:47,247 I had many more love taps than I expected. 1107 00:55:47,348 --> 00:55:48,366 They were, they were aggressive. 1108 00:55:48,470 --> 00:55:49,528 They really were. 1109 00:55:49,631 --> 00:55:51,406 So we set out to learn more about the trucking life. 1110 00:55:51,607 --> 00:55:54,507 We certainly did that. We got the full experience, 1111 00:55:54,605 --> 00:55:55,807 all the highs and all the lows. 1112 00:55:55,906 --> 00:55:57,486 We did indeed, and when everything's going well, 1113 00:55:57,584 --> 00:55:59,526 trucking's great. You're king of the road. 1114 00:55:59,624 --> 00:56:01,163 But as soon as the weather turns, 1115 00:56:01,263 --> 00:56:02,602 it's a different story. 1116 00:56:02,705 --> 00:56:03,723 Oh, the wind. 1117 00:56:03,825 --> 00:56:05,365 Yeah, the wind, yeah. 1118 00:56:05,464 --> 00:56:07,321 Jeez. And it has changed how I see trucks on the road. 1119 00:56:07,423 --> 00:56:10,642 Now, every time I see one, I think, "Big respect." 1120 00:56:10,740 --> 00:56:11,883 Absolutely. 1121 00:56:11,980 --> 00:56:13,723 Yeah, hats off to the truckers, that is a tough job. 1122 00:56:13,821 --> 00:56:15,522 It is indeed, and if anyone wants 1123 00:56:15,620 --> 00:56:18,401 a couple of disused military helicopters shifting, 1124 00:56:18,499 --> 00:56:20,401 give us a call! That's it for tonight. 1125 00:56:20,499 --> 00:56:22,080 We'll be back next week, when Chris drives 1126 00:56:22,178 --> 00:56:23,638 a very fast Maserati, 1127 00:56:23,740 --> 00:56:26,276 Fred drives a very futuristic pick-up truck, 1128 00:56:26,379 --> 00:56:29,557 and I drive a cheap old Honda Civic. 1129 00:56:29,656 --> 00:56:30,959 Living the dream. 1130 00:56:31,057 --> 00:56:33,156 Thanks so much for watching. See you then, goodnight. 1131 00:56:33,258 --> 00:56:36,138 (CHEERING)