A chance to see the action packed race in full as Clarkson May and Hammond take on the Alpine Course with some precious cargo in their long haul trucks.

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A century old record has been broken after Inspiration, a twin-finned car that looks like a prop from Thunderbirds, achieved an average speed of 139.84mph on two runs over a measured mile, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. That may not sound fast when a car has already broken the sound barrier, but this was a steam car, and the record for this type of machine was set in 1906, at an average of 127.7mph.

The British car, with British born driver Charles Burnet III at the wheel, reached a maximum of 151.085mph, a speed greater than the 145.6mph recorded in 1985 by Steamin’ Demon, a car designed by Jim Crank of California and driven by Richard Barber along the Bonneville Salt Flats. Unfortunately, a door flew open on “Steamin’ Demon”, a fire started and the car was unable to make the return run. The Federation Internationale d’Automobiles (FIA), who officially record any record runs, requires cars to run in both directions over a measured mile to cancel out advantages of tail winds in one direction.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Charles Burnett III. “The car really did handle beautifully. What we’ve achieved today is a true testament to British engineering, good teamwork and perseverance.”

A number of minor problems, and the intense heat at Edwards, have held the car back from the record for the last fortnight. But patience finally paid off.

Inspiration is a three tonne construction of carbon composite and aluminium bodywork, space-frame chassis and 300hp twin-stage steam turbines. Painted British Racing Green, the car sounds like a jet fighter and represents the hopes, invention and engineering skills of a team established 10 years ago in Lymington, Hampshire under the patronage of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.

Design expertise has come from Students at the University of Southampton as well as from Welsh engineer Glynne Bowsher, who previously worked on Thrust SSC, the jet-powered car that broke sound barrier in October 1997, and, at 763mph, holds the world land speed record.

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With petrol prices rising, the Top Gear team give alternative advice on fuel economy on saving money by racing 5 supercars. The Ferrari 599, Lamborghini Murcielago, Mercedes McLaren, Aston Martin DBS and Audi R8 are all given one gallon of fuel; how far will they get around the track? And what about the Toyota Prius vs. BMW M3? Brilliant challenge video in high quality from BBC motoring show Top Gear, available to view in full on the BBC Top Gear.

Ιn one of their most ambitious challenges, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond attempt to race from Northern Canada to the North Pole, a 450-mile journey. The terrain in between is some of the toughest on earth, composed of mountains and jagged sea ice. Temperatures can drop to minus 65 degrees Celcius, and polar bears are an added threat. While Jeremy and James drive in the comfort of a specially adapted pick up truck, Richard travels on a sled pulled by a team of ten huskies.

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