24 Hour Racing Challenge! | Top Gear

In his book "The man in the White suit" former Stig Ben Collins explained all the logistics that went into the preparation of this. Collins had to teach Clarkson and May how to get the endurance going needed for a race like this. Seeing as how neither of them is exactly in peak physical condition. He also mentioned how of the three, Hammond was the most capable racing driver.

When it was brought to Collins that they were going to do this, he made good use of his Endorsements with Alpinestars and Sparco racing gear, to fully kit the presenters out. Clarkson Hammond and May wore the brands' latest suits which were identical to the Stig suit save for the color.

He said that it was by far the most glorious of all the shoots he did for Top Gear, the team was like a well oiled machine and everybody had the camaraderie going.

But he also mentioned how this race basically was the end for The Stig because he had to register for the race in his own name and was on the list of drivers for everybody to see. So when people went "Collins, who's that, I only know of Clarkson, Hammond and May..." and then to see the Stig taking the wheel it was very easy to put two and two together.

"James it's Jeremy"
drives into the gravel

Hamond: Jeremy had to preserve his tires. Unfortunately this was Jeremy
Jeremy: yeaaaasss

One of the best challenges ever. No cocking about (decals aside of course), just pure dramatic racing. Just like the Rallycross episode!

I love this race, but whoever edited this missed two great moments at the end:
1) Jeremy madly going on and shedding tears ("YOU BRILLIANT LITTLE CAR!")
2) A brief shot of Hammond smiling the widest, best, happiest smile ever

To me, those two things show us the real people we're looking at and maybe when all is said and done, why it is we all love Top Gear so much.

Endurance racing is so stupid yet so good. Put a bunch of sleep deprived drivers on a track trying to go as fast as they can. Amazing

This was such a big deal for them, and when you see them truly working together, these blokes can accomplish anything.

Stig the absolute Madman racing at night with a tinted/mirrored visor..

Shame they cut Clarkson calling the BMW “you brilliant little car” before shedding a few tears. It’s a real testament to the team that they took a car with little to no soul and gave it all the soul in the world.

James eating a banana

5:44
Hammond: Worried about the tires and the race
May: MUNCH

24 hour race...done in 8:14! That must be a new world record :D

I've watched Top gear since I was about 6, on a thursday night at 8.30 on bbc2, I was allowed to stay up until 9 so I could watch. I'm now 28, so for the last 22 years I have grown up with it. These days the program gets a lot of stick some of it rightly for being just the presenters fecking about trying to be funny. I think they should show how good they can be sometimes, not just pretending to be "ambitious but rubbish".
This episode and Rallycross on a budget are my two favourite episodes. The Chaps actually like cars and motorsport, the whole trio of bumbling old men stuff is just an act, when its time to get serious they very much do, look at them.  
I'd love to see more of this type of episode, real racing, real enthusiasm and no bullshit.

0:01 so we’re just not gonna talk about this

I think this is honestly one of their best episodes. It has all the heart of one of their cheap car specials, but the lack of an exotic location and the sheer brutality on the presenters makes this quite a special part of top gear to me.

To finish 3rd in Class with no prior endurance racing experience, in a second-hand ex-road car...is just amazing.

why did you cut off crying jeremy? 

This is by far my favorite top gear moment. I would absolutely love if the show did this again. (but i understand the reasons why it can't)

"James it's Jeremy"
Sounds familiar...

When Jeremy shed tears at the end of this race, it showed the sheer amount of mental endurance and strength it takes to win this race.