July 21st, 2009 - Posted by: Powder Monkey

Top Gear hits the Slopes

In Episode 5 of series 13 the Top Gear boys set out to prove that rear wheel drive cars are better than front-wheel drive cars. The producers of the show send Jeremy, Richard and James shopping with £1500 each to buy rear-wheel drive cars to complete a series of tough on and off road challenges. The series of challenges culminates on the ice driving track in Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens.

Jeremy drives a Porsche 944 ST (3L engine, RWD, and a gearbox at the back), Richard a Nissan 300ZX (3L V6, RWD, twin-turbo) and James tries his luck in a Ford Capri (2.8 Injection). Despite kitting out the cars in advance with ice racing gear, the three vehicles prove ill equipped for the glassy terrain. Top Gear? More like Wacky Races. Check it out.

Val Thorens hosts stage 1 of the world ice driving series, the Andros Trophy, annually in early December. In 2009 the event will take place over the weekend of 5th – 6th December. The hotly contested series attracts former Formula 1 driving greats including Alain Prost and Olivier Panis.

Tags: Ice Driving, Top Gear, Val Thorens
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