Top Gear is famous for ambitious stunts, even if they often go wrong. However the stunt team has earned a place in the record books for completing a double loop the loop, called the Deadly 720, on four wheels.
The stunt was the finale to the first of four Top Gear Festival shows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban. Although the stunt team were unable to complete the loop in rehearsals they were confident that it could be done. Precision driving was required; too slow and the buggy would fall off the track, too fast and the resultant G-force would cause the driver to pass out. Successful completion of the double loop called for a 24-26mph (38.4-41.8km/h) entry speed to each loop.
Presenter Jeremy Clarkson said, "As anyone who has seen Top Gear either live or on TV will know, we are much more famous for mucking about and breaking other things like caravans - certainly not for breaking world records! I'm just glad no one asked me to do it..."
For the Deadly 720 two steel ramps were constructed, eight metres apart. A special buggy was used for the stunt; this featured hand controls to prevent G-forces from pushing the driver's foot down on the accelerator. On the dashboard a shift light would go from red to green when the correct speed was reached.