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September 22, 2006
Vampire Bites Hamster
Richard Hammond of BBC's Top Gear crashed yesterday while filming a segment for the show. He was driving the Vampire, a 300+mph jet-powered dragster, when he lost control of the vehicle (for reasons yet unknown). Reports say he suffered serious brain trauma, most likely a result of the extreme deceleration. So far reports seem promising that he'll make a good recovery. I hope the good news continues.
I've enjoyed clips of Top Gear on the web for some time now. The presenters exhibit pure enjoyment for driving, and review cars from the most exotic to the outright bizarre and always with good-natured wit, charm, and ofttimes a silly bent.
But it's not all fun and games. Cars are serious business, and this accident underscores the dangers involved in driving; whether "simple" joy-riding on back roads or strapping oneself to a thunderous devil of a machine and propelling oneself to the limits of sanity.
I wish Mr. Hammond a speedy and complete recovery, and I look forward to seeing him return to Top Gear (should he choose). I further hope that this accident does not shake his joy of driving, because where would be the fun in that?
Get well soon, Hamster.
Posted by Tacitus at September 22, 2006 12:43 PM