Top Gear gets bell rung by rocking ringer.

GRM reader, racer and occasional rock star puts the heat down in Top Gears Reasonably Priced Car:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/video-hells-bells-ac-dcs-brian-johnson-is-seriously-quick-in/

You gotta love Brian Johnson. Plucked from (relative) obscurity by AC/DC in 1980 to replace Bon Scott (RIP), Johnson and the band then recorded Back in Black, the second most successful album in history, just behind Thriller by what's his face. Johnson -- who maybe stands five feet five inches tall -- also hasn't changed his shirt, taken off his hat or had to learn a new song in nearly 25 years. What a life. On this week's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, Jezza puts Johnson through the usual paces before we quickly learn that Mr. Gets Knocked Out By American Thighs is a serious gearhead. How serious? He drives a 1920s Bentley 4.5-liter to get the newspaper. That's class. And once in Moscow he micturated on Sputnik. That's a different sort of class. Oh, and it turns out that Mr. Johnson is quite a talented driver. How talented? You're going to have to jump and find out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFUqeREQ9qU

It was a hell of a lap. Doesnt he vintage race a Lotus Cortina?

If that last corner hadn't caught him napping I bet he'd have been fastest. Still a helluva lap.

His Cortina was featured in CMS a while back.

He also had it listed for sale in the classified section.

I just watched that last night. VERY tidy. Was not expecting that, at all.

A agree that if he hadn't slightly pooched the last corner he would have broken the record, i would think by 2-3 tenths.

Dr. Hess wrote: He also had it listed for sale in the classified section.

He sold the Cortina before hitting the road a few years ago. He now has a Royale sports racer and a Pilbeam. We had an interview with him in Classic Motorsports a few issues ago. Funny guy.

Even with out internet spoilers (watched TG on Sunday night, just as the BBC and Jezza intended), you could tell it was going to be a fast lap. That second to last corner was really nicely done.

I think an evening in a pub with Johnson would be hugely entertaining.

By the way, the latest EVO has a nice breakdown of the TG test track, from the viewpoint of a good driver in a Zonda R. Does a nice job of adding some depth to what you see on TV. I've got a suspicion there's a pavement problem on Hammerhead, you can see the cars getting upset by a bump on the second half of the turn that I don't remember being there a couple of seasons back.

I've noticed the same bump...maybe there is some pipe laid under that section, and the rest of the pavement has "settled"

Keith wrote: Even with out internet spoilers (watched TG on Sunday night, just as the BBC and Jezza intended), you could tell it was going to be a fast lap. That second to last corner was really nicely done. I think an evening in a pub with Johnson would be hugely entertaining. By the way, the latest EVO has a nice breakdown of the TG test track, from the viewpoint of a good driver in a Zonda R. Does a nice job of adding some depth to what you see on TV. I've got a suspicion there's a pavement problem on Hammerhead, you can see the cars getting upset by a bump on the second half of the turn that I don't remember being there a couple of seasons back.

What time and channel? All I find is repeats on BBC on cable.

In reply to amg_rx7:

Bit torrent from Finalgear.com.....or other places

I just went and watched Jay Kay's fast lap - and the last corner looks exactly the same as how Johnson went round. It could almost be the same piece of film.

Warning, BBC has put a bunch of SIARPC segments up on YouTube. Don't look unless you've got some time.

Brian Johnson is living a perfect life. Fronts a legendary band, money out the wazoo, racer and he quietly gives a buttload of money to charity.

He's a very cool guy. I have to catch the replay of him on Stern today.

gamby wrote: Brian Johnson is living a perfect life. Fronts a legendary band, money out the wazoo, racer and he quietly gives a buttload of money to charity.

Oh, and his wife, Brenda, is sooooooooooo nice. She races, too.

gamby wrote: Brian Johnson is living a perfect life. Fronts a legendary band, money out the wazoo, racer and he quietly gives a buttload of money to charity. He's a very cool guy. I have to catch the replay of him on Stern today.

Best line on the Stern interview today ... Howard - "So when the guy's in AC/DC get together and talk, can any of you understand each other?"

Freakin cool. I always thought he had to be 6 ft plus. Some people are just BIG. I fail to see why he hasn't made the challenge? I understand he might fit in.

Awesome clip. Really seems like a nice guy. Some people have all the luck.

By the way......I think the whole band is on the short side. I think Angus is like 5' 2" or something so that's why Brian appears taller on stage.

I thoroughly enjoyed that interview and the track action!

that was one of the better SIARPC segments i've seen recently...

as for the article this is awesome... can say that about a few other bands... offspring specifically (for the new song bit)

also hasn't changed his shirt, taken off his hat or had to learn a new song in nearly 25 years. What a life.

I LOVE MY TOP GEAR :)

he should make the challenge he lives over there in sarasota. My uncle had his car at some big car show in sarasota that goes on every year. We were just hanging out by my uncles late model and this guy comes up and starts throughly going over my uncles car, knows his crap, then it hits me....it's Brian Johnson, talked to him for a good hour or so about cars cars cars. Really funny and cool dude, so there is no reason he shouldn't be at the challenge, he's only two hours away!

jcanracer wrote: I thoroughly enjoyed that interview and the track action!

Yep.

I finally got to watch this weeks episode last night. Brian Johnson seems like a hilarious guy, and he can really drive. It was fun to watch.

Hessmo was back up this week. I watched it on Sunday night with no downloading. I love Top Gear. The cheap car challenges this season have been epic!

Given his ability to get the car around the track...he should be invited as a pro driver!!!!! I'd love to have him drive our car out on the auto-x course.

DirtyBird222 wrote: he should make the challenge he lives over there in sarasota. My uncle had his car at some big car show in sarasota that goes on every year. We were just hanging out by my uncles late model and this guy comes up and starts throughly going over my uncles car, knows his crap, then it hits me....it's Brian Johnson, talked to him for a good hour or so about cars cars cars.

That's too cool. Great that he's just a down-to-earth car guy.

I'm not a big AC-DC fan, but I'd recognize that speaking voice anywhere.

I love that band. That guy has one hell of a voice too (when he's singing... I have no idea what the hell he was saying at all during his interview ).

I bet the Stig overinflated one of his tires before his timed run and that is why he didn't destroy the record. It's obvious with the way he cut the final corner the way he did. Too sharp of a turn-in from an overinflated tire.

My boss, by the way, is literally watching that band rock the HELL out of Giants Stadium right now. I'm so jealous.