Where is the Top Gear race track, can you drive on it and what are the filming locations for the new series?
TOP Gear series 26 is coming to an end tonight (March 17), featuring classic moments from Matt LeBlanc, Rory Reid and Chris Harris.
But, where is the Top Gear track, and what are the filming locations for the new series? Let’s get the lowdown…
Where is the Top Gear track, can you drive on it?
The Top Gear test track is located on a former Royal Canadian Air Force at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, United Kingdom, and was designed by Lotus Cars as a testing facility, with many of its Formula One cars tested there.
Top Gear mainly uses the track for Power Laps and the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.
According to the BBC, the track “is designed to test cars to their very limits. It includes a range of corners, from the slow technically challenging Hammerhead to the fast and terrifying Follow-Through, to expose any weakness in a car’s chassis.”
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The layout of the track – which is approximately 1.75 miles – is intended to put the car through various conditions, ranging from provoking understeer to testing brake balance and tyres.
However, the show could soon be forced to find a new home – in new December 2016, planning permission was granted for 1,800 homes to be built on the site.
Members of the public used to be able to drive on the track thanks to official track days, however they were axed in 2016 after the firm running them went bust as the popularity of the show has plummeted.
The track days which included under 17s off roading, driving with The Stig and Star in a Reasonably Priced Car had been run for two-and-a-half years.
Why is the Top Gear track being demolished?
The Top Gear track will be demolished to pave the way for a new housing estate.
Leader of the local Council, Councillor Julia Potts, said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State has granted planning permission as this development will provide significant benefits to the local community, of the 1800 new homes 540 will be affordable.”
The site could also see the addition shops, schools and churches.
The track has been an integral part of the popular BBC motoring show since the long-running series was revitalised in 2001.
What are the filming locations for the new series?
The series kicks off with Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid taking a motorsports road trip across America’s Wild West.
Filming for series 25 of Top Gear began in June 2017. The traveled to locations including north Norway, in the Møre og Romsdal region, where Chris Harris and Matt LeBlanc were said to have been told off by local cops for speeding in a tunnel.