0:00:18 > 0:00:22CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Hello, and welcome to Top Gear.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Tonight, Chris and Rory head to Cuba to kick-start another revolution.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34This time it's not communism, it's corners.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38But first, I may have mentioned a time or two that I like
0:00:38 > 0:00:43a Porsche 911. And I especially like this one, the GT3 RS.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46It's less car, more surgical instrument.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49See, for years, if you'd wanted something for the road AND
0:00:49 > 0:00:52the track, this has been the answer.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56The benchmark, the undisputed champion.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00But now there's a new contender that quietly begs to differ.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08It comes from Mercedes. And it's called the AMG GT R.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16Like the 911 GT3 RS, it costs about £140,000.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19But you get the sense that in creating the GT R,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23the goal was less surgical instrument,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25more the Hulk.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And, just like the Hulk, you wouldn't like it when it's angry.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Whoa! Whoa! I don't know what it's so upset about, but it seems really,
0:01:40 > 0:01:41really mad.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46This thing is alive. Oh, it's just brimming with energy.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Underneath that bonnet is a four-litre, twin-turbocharged V8.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58I've got 580 horsepower.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01I've got more than 500lb-ft of torque.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07And in the exhaust is a trigger-happy firing squad.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09EXHAUST RUMBLES Bang.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10EXHAUST RUMBLES
0:02:10 > 0:02:12There goes another one.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14EXHAUST RUMBLES And another one.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17And all that noise comes with plenty of speed.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Whoa-ho!
0:02:25 > 0:02:280 to 60 in 3.5 seconds.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31But the GT R feels faster.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35As for top speed...
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Well, Mercedes says the GT R isn't really about
0:02:40 > 0:02:46top speed, they're not bothered. So, flat out, it'll only do 198mph.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50I know. I'll do my best to cope.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55Fantastic!
0:03:01 > 0:03:06But to be a true GT3 RS rival, the big question is,
0:03:06 > 0:03:07how does it corner?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12And to be honest, this is the bit I'm kind of nervous about.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Because the normal AMG GT, the car Mercedes put on
0:03:16 > 0:03:21a Russian Olympic diet to make this GT R, that car has a lot of pitch
0:03:21 > 0:03:26under braking, which makes it twitchy and unpredictable on corners.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30It's basically... You never know when it's going to bite you in the ass.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34And this car, they've given more power and less weight,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37which essentially makes it even bitier.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39This could be interesting.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Oh, that's not bitey! That's brilliant.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03There's so much grip.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06That's because underneath that Marvel Comics paint job,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09there's a lightweight titanium exhaust,
0:04:09 > 0:04:14a race-tuned suspension, a whole new track-focused aero package...
0:04:16 > 0:04:19..and my favourite bit, rear-wheel steering.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24See it? See it move? Cool, right?
0:04:25 > 0:04:29And that makes the GT R super agile in the slow corners,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32but super stable in the higher speed corners.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35And the suspension keeps the car so flat, you can really tell
0:04:35 > 0:04:39what the tyres are up to and know exactly how hard you can push it.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Oh, yeah! That is nice.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47That's real nice. HE LAUGHS
0:04:47 > 0:04:49I love it.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51And at top speed,
0:04:51 > 0:04:56this thing makes 155 kilos more downforce than the normal AMG GT.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00I mean, me personally, I'd say it feels more like 153, 154,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02but, you know, I don't want to nit-pick.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07Now, as a rule, to be a serious track weapon, a car should have its
0:05:07 > 0:05:11engine in the middle, not underneath a long bonnet way out in the front.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14But with the GT R, looks can be deceiving.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Take a look at this.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20This isn't the engine,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23it's just a cover to hide a bunch of crap nobody wants to see.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27This is the engine. Behind the front wheels.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30So this IS a mid-engined car,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33you just don't sit in front of the engine, you sit behind it.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39All of which makes it pretty handy around a racetrack,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43including, yes, that German racetrack.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48Late last year, this car lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes, 11 seconds.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Now, say what you want about Nurburgring times, but that's way quicker
0:05:52 > 0:05:57than a Ferrari 488, way quicker than a Corvette ZR1,
0:05:57 > 0:06:02and, oh, yeah, way quicker than the Porsche GT3 RS.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Mercedes says no rear-drive road car has ever gone quicker.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12So don't let its appearance fool you.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16Yeah, the GT R might look like it wants to kick you in the cubes,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20but this really is a sophisticated track machine.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22A genuine Porsche rival.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25And I've got to say, I think that's a shame.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31Because Mercedes, well, AMG, has spent years and years making
0:06:31 > 0:06:36tyre-smoking, socially unacceptable, nutjob cars.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39And you don't want to throw away a reputation like that just for
0:06:39 > 0:06:45a Nurburgring lap time and a little, tiny spat with Porsche.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48And you know what, they haven't.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52That AMG animal is still in there.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54You just have to unlock the cage.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59And the key is in the GT R's race-car spec,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02nine-stage traction control system.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Here, in technical terms, is how it works. This end...
0:07:07 > 0:07:09..Bruce Banner.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11This end...
0:07:11 > 0:07:13..the Hulk.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16And so far today, I've been sticking to the Bruce Banner end.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20But do you know what happens when you turn it to the Hulk end?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25It gets mad.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27HE CHUCKLES
0:07:27 > 0:07:28ENGINE REVS
0:07:28 > 0:07:30TYRES SCREECH
0:07:41 > 0:07:43I'm out of control, and I love it.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54OK, that's definitely not the fastest way around a corner,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56but it sure is exhilarating.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07This car is a hooligan, a hooligan.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22This is an AMG. No doubt about it.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Troublemaker! You're a troublemaker. But I love you.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34You know what, I was wrong.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38I mean, yeah, sure, this car can play the part of a precise, sophisticated
0:08:38 > 0:08:43rival to the GT3 RS, but what it really is
0:08:43 > 0:08:45is a muscle car.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48A muscle car built by the best F1 team on the planet,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50and that is a very, very good thing.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- Wow! I mean, just look at it.- Yeah.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Look at it! It's just so...green.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19LAUGHTER
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- Well, you're perceptive. - No, I've been doing this a while.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I tell you what, though, this is not going to impress Nissan.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26OK, what has that have to do with them?
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Nissan has built an entire brand around building a front engine,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34turbo-charged sports car called the GT-R.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Yeah? AMG comes along, builds a front engine,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- turbo-charged sports car called the GT R.- No, no, no.
0:09:40 > 0:09:46See, the Nissan GT-R, that's GT hyphen R.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49This is a GT no hyphen R.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- Completely different.- Come on.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55So, I choose to release a brown liquid beverage called
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Coca Cola, no hyphen, and that's absolutely fine?- No, no.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01First of all, anything that starts with you releasing
0:10:01 > 0:10:04a brown liquid is definitely not fine. No, no, no.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Right, now it's time for the big movement... Moment. Oh!
0:10:07 > 0:10:08LAUGHTER
0:10:08 > 0:10:12We need to find out how quick the GT no hyphen R is around our test track,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16and you know what that means. It's time for...The Stig.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Off the line.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Managing traction, he short shifts to second quite quickly.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Now, this long run down to first corner.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Let's look what it looks like as it turns in.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Really flat, controlling all that roll, looks fast,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30but oversteer on the exit, managing it.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Now blending left, into Chicago.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40A tight line so he can get it opened up and get on the gas.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42It just looks like it wants to oversteer everywhere,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47but it looks stiff, doesn't it? It looks flat and it looks agile.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Braking hard, triggering those warning lights.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Hammerhead, what's it like through the right-hander direction change?
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Really good, actually.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Turned well, coming out, managing oversteer again.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00But it seems that once he gets through that initial slip,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04he's got really good traction. Through the follow-through.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06That's just fast and flat again.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09What's it going to be like when it booms through the tyres?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Now, that was really, really fast.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Using all the circuit and the trail brake. Into second to last.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Look at that, good, controlled driving from Stig.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Now, rolling down towards Gambon and over the line.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I think that's going to be a really fast time.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:11:27 > 0:11:28Quick. Quick.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31OK, now...
0:11:31 > 0:11:36The old AMG GTS did it in 1.17.5, which, that's pretty quick, too.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- That's a fast time. - That is a fast time.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40So we're looking to be somewhere way up here.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Now, the new AMG GT R did it in
0:11:44 > 0:11:45one minute...
0:11:45 > 0:11:4916 flat. That's right there.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51APPLAUSE
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- That is seriously quick. - That's a quick time. And...
0:11:56 > 0:12:03And in the same conditions, we got The Stig to lap the GT3 RS. OK.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Now, the GT3 RS did it in one minute...
0:12:07 > 0:12:1016.1.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13So...move that Veyron down.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Get that thing out of the way.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16LAUGHTER
0:12:16 > 0:12:18All right, there's that.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20There it is, in black and white -
0:12:20 > 0:12:22the Mercedes is faster.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It is faster.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- I'd still have the Porsche, though. - So would I.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28I would too. Rory.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Loving that Merc.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31Just to save you looking it up,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34that's even faster than the Smart Fortwo went round our track
0:12:34 > 0:12:35a couple of weeks ago.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38I knew that Merc was quick.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40All right. OK...
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Now it's time to welcome this week's guest.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46He's a stand-up comedian, he also loves off-roaders,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48motorbikes and heavy machinery,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51so you two can probably just take off now. Yeah.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ross Noble.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Hello, hello!
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- How are you doing?- Hello.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Thank you very much.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13- All right.- Hi.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Now, you are into your bikes, I know,
0:13:15 > 0:13:16so did you ride down or drive down?
0:13:16 > 0:13:18No, I drove down today.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I brought my mate, so we came in the car.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I thought it best to turn up to Top Gear in a car.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25OK. What did you drive?
0:13:25 > 0:13:27My Land Rover Defender.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Defender, oh, OK.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Standard Defender or any tweaks?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34No, massive tweaks.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37It's a Kahn, a fully customed...
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- What I've done, right, is I've taken...- Ooh...
0:13:40 > 0:13:43I've taken a tin box and I've polished it up.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44There it is, look.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46That's my car. Look at it.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49It's a beauty. I love the styling, too.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51You've gone for the fully murdered-out look -
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- black on black on black. That's gangster.- Proper gangster.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56You've got to admit that is a cool-looking thing.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- Have I? - Come on!
0:13:59 > 0:14:00I don't mind a Defender,
0:14:00 > 0:14:04but, I mean, the wheel arch extensions seem a bit...
0:14:04 > 0:14:05a bit much.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08It does look like it's trying a bit too hard.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10To be fair, I do live in the country.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12But don't the countryside folks sneer
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- at the fact that you've not got a normal Defender?- Yes.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16They must see you as a bit arriviste
0:14:16 > 0:14:18and a bit like a townie in the country.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Yeah. I like to annoy everyone.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Equally, at the same time.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Yes, it's... No, but the thing...
0:14:24 > 0:14:26I had, like, proper cars.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31I had a Golf GTI and we had a 1960 Karmann Ghia,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33beautiful, wonderful cars...
0:14:35 > 0:14:39The whole thing. It was like you were at the end of EastEnders.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- Driving down the drive... - LAUGHTER
0:14:41 > 0:14:42..as you were heading down to the road.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44HE IMITATES DOOF-DOOFS
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I wind the window down
0:14:46 > 0:14:48and start shouting Cockney things at people.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50What about the driving position? I'm not a big man,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53and I find myself in there and my elbow is just doing this.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54There's just no room in it.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56It's not comfortable at all.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58You are like that...
0:14:58 > 0:14:59You're sitting in it...
0:14:59 > 0:15:02This is us, like that. Like that.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Then, I've got leather bucket seats in it as well,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07so I've taken the most uncomfortable car
0:15:07 > 0:15:09that money can buy
0:15:09 > 0:15:11and I've made it more uncomfortable.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16Short of paying a man to sit behind me and do this all day long...
0:15:16 > 0:15:19LAUGHTER
0:15:19 > 0:15:20You know...
0:15:20 > 0:15:23So, what was your first car?
0:15:23 > 0:15:27My first car, I had a... It was a Metro.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28An MG Metro, it was.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32I bought it off another comic for 150 quid.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35He said to me, "That car is perfect.
0:15:35 > 0:15:41"Just don't drive it over 70mph or it will go horribly wrong."
0:15:41 > 0:15:43I thought, "That's fair enough." So I never drove it...
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Then there was one night I was a bit late,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48and I sort of maybe exceeded the speed limit a little bit.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I pulled up outside my house,
0:15:50 > 0:15:51I closed the door...
0:15:51 > 0:15:52and it burst into flames.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55It just literally burst into flames.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58But you do drive yourself to gigs?
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Yeah, cos I had this instance...
0:16:00 > 0:16:03This is one of the reasons why I thought it was important to drive.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07I was at a train station and all the trains were delayed.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10There was a replacement bus service.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12This old woman was there...
0:16:12 > 0:16:15It was a weird, strange old lady. She was wearing sandals.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18She had long, claw-like nails,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22which should have, sort of, rung alarm bells for me.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24She said, "Where are you going?"
0:16:24 > 0:16:25I said, "Wolverhampton", or somewhere.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28She went, "I'll drive you. I'm going there anyway."
0:16:28 > 0:16:32This woman got me in her car and she...
0:16:32 > 0:16:33We drove to...
0:16:33 > 0:16:35We started driving, and then she said...
0:16:35 > 0:16:37You know, chatting away and all the rest of it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39She went, "I want you to meet my daughter."
0:16:39 > 0:16:41She said, "Come and cheer her up."
0:16:41 > 0:16:45So, basically, she kidnapped me and drove me to a house.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Then her daughter, who was sort of bleary eyed,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49she dragged her out of bed and she went,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51"Go on. Cheer her up."
0:16:51 > 0:16:53So I was now...
0:16:53 > 0:16:56"Or you'll get the claw."
0:16:56 > 0:16:58"I'll rip your gizzards out."
0:16:58 > 0:17:01So I was then just in this house, just in this...
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I'm going, "No, no, I really have to...
0:17:03 > 0:17:04"I have to get to where I'm going."
0:17:04 > 0:17:06She went, "No, no, go on."
0:17:06 > 0:17:08The daughter didn't want this to be happening,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I didn't want it to be happening. It was all horrible.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13I went, "I will never get the train again."
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Cos that's what happens - get the train,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19you'll end up in someone's house with a woman with claws.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Have you been back to visit?
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Yeah, we're engaged to be married.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27She was most sensitive lover I've ever had.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- Not the daughter, the old woman. - Of course.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36I took my clothes off. I didn't even have to take my own socks off.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38She went...
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- OK, all right, all right. - This is horrible.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41Let's get down to business.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43You've tackled the Top Gear track before
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- in the famous KIA Cee'd, right? - Yes, I have.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48You were quick, real quick. Like the fifth fastest, right?
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Yeah, yeah.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53The most important thing is I beat Tom Cruise, because I...
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Not that I've become utterly insufferable since that day,
0:17:56 > 0:18:00but I mention that, I would say, at least once a day.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01He was in Days Of Thunder,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and my wife... It's got to the point now where -
0:18:03 > 0:18:05since the last time I was on the show -
0:18:05 > 0:18:06we're literally sat there,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08if there's a new advert for a Tom Cruise film comes on...
0:18:08 > 0:18:11It will go, "Tom Cruise..." I'll go, and she'll go, "I know."
0:18:13 > 0:18:17I will sometimes say to complete strangers, "I beat Tom Cruise."
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Yes, well, yes, you did. You certainly did.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21A lot of people beat Tom Cruise.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26All right, but now we've got the more challenging GT86.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28That's a proper sports car.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31How did it go there? How did your training with Chris go?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34It was... You know what? It was incredible. It was such good fun.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35It was great fun.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38But that old car was just, "Come on."
0:18:38 > 0:18:41This thing, it's got, like...
0:18:41 > 0:18:46- It moves around and it's quite... - Yeah.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- Yeah, great. - Chris, what do you think?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51What he said.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54It was interesting. The training was interesting.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58But I saw a kernel of talent in there. Let's see what happened.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00All right, let's take a look.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Before we start, all I'm going to say,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05these are the best conditions we've had all series.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Are we driving or going for a picnic?
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Well, we will find out. Let's go. Come on.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Just remember that the slow-speed corners
0:19:14 > 0:19:16give you a better chance to make time up.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Braking hard. Brake hard. Second gear, please.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Second gear. We're going round to the right.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23You've got fourth, you've got forth.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24BLEEP.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26There's the white lines.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28That way, then.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Round to the left. Second gear, please. Second gear.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Round to the right, round to the right.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Round to the right. Second gear. You're in fourth again. Second.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Oh, cock.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39It's in there somewhere. It's in there.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Third?- Third, over to left, over to the left.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- Don't worry, don't panic. - I'm not panicking.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46A bit of third gear, a bit of third gear, please.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50This could be interesting.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Brake, brake, brake.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Brake that hard?
0:19:57 > 0:19:58Or not quite as hard.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00CHRIS LAUGHS
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Just thrown a load of fuel there, hasn't it?- That's fine.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05When you're strapped into a metal box,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08it's nice to smell fuel just all around you.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10It's fine. It's all part of the thrill.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Give it some gas. Over the line.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15We didn't die.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:20:27 > 0:20:29There was a moment there...
0:20:29 > 0:20:33We spin and we were going backwards for quite a long time. 70pmh.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34It was brilliant!
0:20:36 > 0:20:37This is the thing,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40it's not like a motorbike where if you come off a motorbike
0:20:40 > 0:20:41you really hurt yourself,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43whereas this, you know,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47it's just a smell of petrol and another man's poo.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52OK, time to talk about Cuba.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55When you hear that name, you know what springs to mind -
0:20:55 > 0:20:57all those incredible old American cars.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00The ones that have kept going since Castro and communism took over
0:21:00 > 0:21:01back in the '50s.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02But over the past few years,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Cuba has been opening up to the West.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08That means the days of those iconic cars could be numbered.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11So, with a budget of £5,000 each,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Chris and I bought a couple of old sports cars,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15that we thought would impress the locals,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18and headed out to hunt down the Cuban classics.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Our landing spot in the world's most westerly communist state
0:21:24 > 0:21:25was the Bay Of Pigs...
0:21:27 > 0:21:29..site of an American-backed invasion
0:21:29 > 0:21:34defeated by Fidel Castro's regime in 1961.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Since then, Cuba has shut its doors to the West.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44A generation of '50s American cars left stranded inside.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47The fight to maintain them has gone on ever since.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Those still running survive
0:21:49 > 0:21:52thanks to the resourceful mechanical spirit of this unique nation.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57That's what we had come for,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59but what had we brought with us?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I'm not going to lie, I am so chuffed at what I've got here.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Right, let's see what you brought, then.
0:22:08 > 0:22:09Come on. Look at this.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14'Now, surely, in a nation with a passion for old American cars...'
0:22:14 > 0:22:15Prepare to be amazed.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18'..there is only one sensible choice.'
0:22:18 > 0:22:20THEME FROM THE GODFATHER
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Oh, that's Italian. - Yes!
0:22:26 > 0:22:30I present to you the Maserati Biturbo
0:22:30 > 0:22:34or as they insist you call it, the BIH-turbo.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35Amazing, eh?
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Yes. It's amazing.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39It's amazing that you managed to drive it out of the container
0:22:39 > 0:22:41without it breaking down.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Oh, good, the old "Maseratis aren't reliable" gag.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45Look, let me explain this to you.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48This car is just plain fantastic.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49First of all, it's a Maserati.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54It has a 2.6 litre, twin-turbo V6,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56styling, a manual gearbox, and...
0:22:56 > 0:23:01and, in this country, Maseratis are racing royalty.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02Racing royalty?
0:23:02 > 0:23:04I'll explain that later on. What have you chosen?
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Watch and learn.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10How to outdo your Maserati in one fell swoop.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12'Like I said...'
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- ENGINE TURNS OVER - Oh, yeah.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16ROCK MUSIC
0:23:20 > 0:23:21- Huh?- Ah-hah.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29What you are looking at is a Chevy Camaro,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32the quintessential American muscle car.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40- Start up front. Under the bonnet, a five-litre American V8.- Yes.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- 170 horsepower. - Sorry, stop there. Repeat that.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46170.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47But the thing is, 170's still...
0:23:47 > 0:23:51How do you try and get so little power from such a big engine?
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Well, they're concentrating on torque
0:23:53 > 0:23:54more than anything else, all right?
0:23:54 > 0:23:57So it's all about the grunt. But that's not the only thing.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- Yes.- Check this out. Round the back. Come on. Watch this.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03You don't slam the Camaro's boot.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06You place it gently down. Soft close.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Straight out of a Mercedes S-Class.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12So the best thing about your muscle car is the soft-close boot?
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Well, it's ONE of the things about my muscle car.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17I think we should go. Come on.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Childish.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25If, admittedly, quite cool.
0:24:29 > 0:24:30Let's roll.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Excited to see what the locals would make of our choices,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41we decided to pick our way north-west,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43towards the capital city, Havana.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49And, as our Cuban adventure got under way,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52we got better acquainted with our cars.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00This is meant to be the less sophisticated car of the two,
0:25:00 > 0:25:01and yet everything works.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05My electric windows work, my cruise control works...
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Well, nearly everything.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09My knob has come off.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11I won't tell Chris about that.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16The Camaro is a kind of car that speaks to you on a base level.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20It's all about that growl, it sounds good, it feels powerful.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24It makes me feel cool. That's what muscle cars are all about.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26That's what Cuba's all about.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31It feels special to me.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Maybe it's just because it's got a Maserati badge,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35but the dogleg gearbox feels great.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Really positive.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40The engine has that suggestive V6 note,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42which is so much more sophisticated
0:25:42 > 0:25:45than Rory's loud, brash American car.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Yes. We're going to go on well, me and the Maserati.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Because, despite Rory's scepticism,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56this was the perfect car to win over the locals.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03You see, Cuba once had its own Grand Prix.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07The first was staged in 1957 and won by none other
0:26:07 > 0:26:11than Juan Manuel Fangio in a Maserati.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14A year later, the five-time Formula 1 World Champion
0:26:14 > 0:26:16returned to compete again,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18but he never made the race.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20- NEWSREEL:- Miguel Fangio was kidnapped by Cuban rebels
0:26:20 > 0:26:23in a daring move to discredit the regime.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Yep, kidnapped.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29In 1960, the last Grand Prix ever to be staged in Cuba
0:26:29 > 0:26:33was won by Stirling Moss in...a Maserati.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40So two thirds of all Grand Prix on this fair island
0:26:40 > 0:26:43were won by Maserati. Isn't that amazing?
0:26:43 > 0:26:46That is very cool. That kind of makes sense.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It's a classy move. I'll give you that.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56'Soon we came across a town called Coliseo.'
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Look at the architecture. This is incredible.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02It's like being stuck in a time warp.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05'And with our first Cubans to impress...
0:27:05 > 0:27:07'Rory wasted no time.'
0:27:07 > 0:27:09ENGINE REVS
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Chris, I am speaking to the people of Cuba in
0:27:14 > 0:27:17a language they understand - V8 pipes.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- CAR REVS REPEATEDLY - That means "Hello."
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- CAR REVS REPEATEDLY - That means "How are you?"
0:27:23 > 0:27:24CAR REVS REPEATEDLY
0:27:24 > 0:27:28And that means, "Don't bother looking at the Maserati behind me."
0:27:28 > 0:27:30I'm just going to hang back a little bit,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32because it really is quite cringeworthy.
0:27:32 > 0:27:33'Annoyingly, though,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36'the people of Coliseo appeared to have forgotten
0:27:36 > 0:27:38'their racing heritage.'
0:27:38 > 0:27:43Quick question - is anyone gathered around your car having a look?
0:27:43 > 0:27:44ENGINE REVS
0:27:48 > 0:27:51It doesn't seem quite as popular as yours.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Bask in the glory of the V-ocho.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57THEY EXCLAIM
0:28:02 > 0:28:04'Although clearly misled by Reid,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07'the locals were definitely car lovers.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11'They told us of a secretive drag race taking place that afternoon
0:28:11 > 0:28:13'in a town further north called Varadero.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19'So, with our adventure starting to gather momentum,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21'we got back on the road.'
0:28:25 > 0:28:27There's a bloke here who can't stop his horse.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Have you spotted him?
0:28:28 > 0:28:31He has no control over that animal at all. He's just gone left.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34No, it's gone left with him on it.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37'Yes, with every mile we drove deeper
0:28:37 > 0:28:39'into the Cuban time capsule.'
0:28:39 > 0:28:43We're starting to see some proper old American cars now.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45This is more like it.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47'And it wasn't just the number of old cars,
0:28:47 > 0:28:51'it was the lack of almost any new ones at all.'
0:28:51 > 0:28:55In the last few years, Cubans have been able to buy new cars.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58As ever with Cuba, it's not as straightforward as that.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01The average national wage here is about 20 a month,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03but they are colossally expensive
0:29:03 > 0:29:07because of import duties and other stuff.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12So, for example, Peugeot 508 - in the UK, 20 grand-ish.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17Here...£160,000.
0:29:17 > 0:29:18Get your head round that.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22'Which probably explained why the roads were lined
0:29:22 > 0:29:24'with people needing a ride.'
0:29:26 > 0:29:28You know the rules about hitchhiking here, mate.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32If you are in a state-owned car, you have to pick them up.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37I reckon we should join in with the local culture,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39pick ourselves up some hitchhikers.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Why would we want to do that?
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Because it's all about community spirit here.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46People rely on each other to get things done.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48I don't share my car with anyone.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51When I go on holiday, everyone else goes in another car.
0:29:51 > 0:29:52I go on my own.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56'But since we weren't on holiday...'
0:29:56 > 0:29:57Right, follow me.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Here we go.
0:29:59 > 0:30:00Living the Cuban dream.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Hola.
0:30:03 > 0:30:04Just two of you, yeah?
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Thank you, thank you.
0:30:08 > 0:30:09I thought we had two.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10One, two...
0:30:13 > 0:30:14All of you?
0:30:20 > 0:30:23THEY EXCLAIM
0:30:26 > 0:30:29Reid, what on earth have you done here?
0:30:29 > 0:30:30How many have you got?
0:30:30 > 0:30:33I've got four in the back, one in the front.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38- MAN SPEAKS SPANISH - How far? How far?
0:30:38 > 0:30:40The reason why we are here with the Maserati,
0:30:40 > 0:30:41I need to teach you about this...
0:30:41 > 0:30:44OVERLAPPING SPANISH CONVERSATIONS
0:30:44 > 0:30:47OK, more Cuban people that won't listen to me.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49'Still, could have been worse.'
0:30:49 > 0:30:51No, no, no, no!
0:30:51 > 0:30:52HE SCREAMS
0:30:52 > 0:30:54- HE LAUGHS - No, no, no, no!
0:30:54 > 0:30:56No, no, dude, dude, dude, please, please.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57He's got a chicken!
0:30:57 > 0:31:00SCREECHING AND RUMBLING
0:31:00 > 0:31:04You are a complete fool, aren't you?
0:31:04 > 0:31:05HE SCREAMS
0:31:05 > 0:31:09- Loco! Loco! - HE SCREAMS
0:31:11 > 0:31:15'A long time and not very far later...'
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- OK, this is the end.- Yes, thank you.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18It's been a pleasure.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19HE SCREAMS
0:31:19 > 0:31:24I think... Whoa... No, no, no, no. I'm done. Out of the car. I'm out.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26I am out.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Chris, this was a bad idea.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35Rory...
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Yes.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43If you have any other bright ideas for cultural exploration,
0:31:43 > 0:31:45keep them to yourself, all right?
0:31:47 > 0:31:48Yes.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57'Back on the road, before long, we reached Varadero.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59'And arriving at the drag race...'
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Oh, yes. Look at this.
0:32:02 > 0:32:03This is the place.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05'..it didn't disappoint.'
0:32:30 > 0:32:33'Motor racing has been illegal in Cuba since 1962,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36'but with officials starting to turn a blind eye,
0:32:36 > 0:32:37'in the last few years,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41'gatherings like these have slowly begun to surface.'
0:32:43 > 0:32:47'And now we'd found one, we had to see what they were running.'
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- Look at this.- Is that a Chevy?
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Wow. Look at that.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54That is class.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- Hello.- Hello!
0:32:58 > 0:32:595.7.
0:32:59 > 0:33:015.7 litre. Did you do all of this work yourself?
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- Yes, yes, yes.- How long did it take you to create this?- Ten years.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- Ten years? - Yes.- How much power?- 400.- 400?
0:33:09 > 0:33:13- 400 horsepower. - That is just beautiful, Rory.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16'And the more cars we looked at...'
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Look at that.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21'..the weirder and more wonderful they became.'
0:33:21 > 0:33:23What on earth did this used to be?
0:33:23 > 0:33:24Are those teeth?
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Buick 53.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Buick.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31'68. '68 Camaro.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Ah, OK.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36They sort of re-engineer them, don't they? What's over here?
0:33:36 > 0:33:39This is Mecca, as far as I'm concerned.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40Cuba is giving up the goods.
0:33:40 > 0:33:45'Yes, here in Varadero we had found some real motoring spirit.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51'And, in his excitement, Rory decided to compete with it.'
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Er, 0-60 in 9 seconds.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58This should go well.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Come off it!
0:34:08 > 0:34:10He cheated!
0:34:10 > 0:34:11Man, that thing is quick.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I am getting nowhere near this guy.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Oh, man.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27I don't like losing, but I'll lose to that.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28What a machine!
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Did not stand a chance.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36- Rory.- Yes.- Let's discuss some of the basic skills of drag racing.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39- When the man says go, what do you do?- Well, he picked the start.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41He left about half a second before me.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44He left when the guy said, "G..."
0:34:44 > 0:34:46That's what you're supposed to do in drag racing.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48You go on the "G" of "Go"!
0:34:48 > 0:34:49That was ridiculous.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54'After Rory's shambolic effort,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57'the stage was set for my thoroughbred to make its mark.'
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Yes, it was time for a little reminder of what
0:35:05 > 0:35:07the Maserati name really means.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09LAUGHTER
0:35:12 > 0:35:14ENGINES ROAR
0:35:28 > 0:35:29Hey, come on!
0:35:31 > 0:35:32Look at it go.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37That is hopeless.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44Aw...
0:35:46 > 0:35:48It looked like you got destroyed, to me.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49Oh, no, no, no, no.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52It was a beating but it wasn't a drubbing, was it?
0:35:52 > 0:35:54- How many car lengths?- Six.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57You got killed, mate. You got killed.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02OK, Cuba's racers had turned out to be a little quicker than expected,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05but there was still one victory worth fighting for.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07ENGINES ROAR
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Terrible launch! Terrible launch!
0:36:23 > 0:36:24Come on.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- Yeah, look at this! - CHRIS LAUGHS
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Where's he gone? Where's he gone?
0:36:31 > 0:36:32Ah!
0:36:35 > 0:36:36Harris is gone.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Bye-bye, Rory Reid.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Oh, no!
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Damn you!
0:36:46 > 0:36:50That was a really ungracious way to win, wasn't it?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Oh, he's going to be unbearable!
0:36:59 > 0:37:00- Here we go.- Now...
0:37:00 > 0:37:02- Here we go.- Now, what exactly happened there, Rory?
0:37:02 > 0:37:04- Well, you won the race.- OK.
0:37:04 > 0:37:05- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07But, look, I'm not here to compete.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10I'm here to have a good time, meet some people, you know,
0:37:10 > 0:37:12and win some friends with my V8 engine note,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15drive with my top down and have a laugh.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Who are you and what have you done with the Rory Reid that I know,
0:37:18 > 0:37:20- that is super-competitive and wants to win?- Calm down, Chris.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22So, do you see this as a moral victory?
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Well, I actually do, but I also see you as a sore winner.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28- I've never seen that before. - I like that phrase.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30I'll take that - a sore winner.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37CHEERING
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Oh, no.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43You guys got destroyed.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Yeah, but at least I beat Rory.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Yeah, look, at least the Cubans liked my car.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Yeah, at least I didn't get mauled by a cock.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51All right, OK, guys, guys...
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Guys, come on, now. We're all friends.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56You both made bad choices, OK?
0:37:56 > 0:37:58We'll get back to the rest of that story a little later on,
0:37:58 > 0:38:02but, right now, it is Dream Garage time.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05OK, £350,000 you have to spend,
0:38:05 > 0:38:09and you want something that's just awesome, right?
0:38:09 > 0:38:11What do you get? Rory?
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Is this the bit where we name a car and then you show us
0:38:13 > 0:38:17a combine harvester or a massive blender for cows or something?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19LAUGHTER
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Why can't you just play the game?
0:38:21 > 0:38:22Can't you just...?
0:38:22 > 0:38:26Come on, £350,000, what do you get? Go. Come on.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28All right, OK, I could go a Rolls-Royce Wraith.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30I could go Ferrari 812 Superfast.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33Yeah, you could. Yup, yup. Chris?
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Short-wheelbase 1965 Porsche 911.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Ah.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Hey. See? Yeah, yeah.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Both good suggestions.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43Both wrong suggestions...
0:38:43 > 0:38:46LAUGHTER ..because, for £350,000,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48you want one of these.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53LAUGHTER That is the Terex Fuchs MHL360.
0:38:53 > 0:38:54- Just look at it!- Yeah.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57So, so, so...
0:38:57 > 0:38:58So that's a crane.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01What? What? No...
0:39:01 > 0:39:02A crane?
0:39:02 > 0:39:04No. Oh...
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Ross, will you please enlighten them?
0:39:06 > 0:39:07Yes, certainly.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10It's a material handler.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11Thank you.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13LAUGHTER That's right - a material handler.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15And do you know what it handles?
0:39:15 > 0:39:18A melon, a shed and a Volvo.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20Watch this.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24Hello. This is the Terex Fuchs MHL360,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27and it handles stuff really well.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28Check this out.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32OK, now, to help me with this,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34I brought my trusty digger-mate Ross Noble.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38He's going to help me play material handler bowling.
0:39:38 > 0:39:39He's super-confident.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Ross, what did you bring to the table?
0:39:41 > 0:39:46I brought the Sennebogen, the 830E eco version.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51Basically, it can rip out trees without angering protesters.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55OK, so the rules are pretty simple.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56You've got a pile of scrap.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00You've got to pick the stuff up and throw it at the shed.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Three turns each.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- Whoever knocks down the most sheds wins.- Sweet.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07OK, you go first.
0:40:07 > 0:40:08I'm ready. Go for it.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Ah, going for the washing machine.
0:40:13 > 0:40:14Here we go!
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Yeah!
0:40:19 > 0:40:21I might have overshot a bit.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24All right, one down. My turn.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26All right, I've got a bathtub now.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Son of a bitch. I missed it.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37That was not impressive. OK, your turn.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Ooh, you're going for the jet ski. Nice one.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42Let her rip!
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- Oh-ho-ho-ho! Beautiful!- Woohoo!
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Beautiful! What are you, three sheds?
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Three to nothing. You're winning.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55I've got to make up for it here.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57It's looking good. It's looking good.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Keep it going. Keep it...
0:40:59 > 0:41:00Go round again. Go round again.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02One more time. That's it.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Keep going. Keep going. You look like you work at the fair.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Whee!
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Scream if you want to go faster! Go!
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Yes!
0:41:11 > 0:41:13Woohoo!
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Got it! MATT LAUGHS
0:41:16 > 0:41:18SIREN WAILS Hey, Ross, do you hear that siren?
0:41:18 > 0:41:20That must mean it's half-time melons.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Let's have some.
0:41:23 > 0:41:24It's a very civilised game.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30SIREN WAILS
0:41:30 > 0:41:33OK, I guess that means melon time's over.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Right, are we going for the cars?
0:41:35 > 0:41:36Definitely.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41All right, he's got the scrap Volvo.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42Winding it up...
0:41:42 > 0:41:43Here we go.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46MACHINE HUMS
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- Oh!- Oh, that was a miss.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I'm out of the game. That's me.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57It's all down to you now.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00I've got you!
0:42:00 > 0:42:04Don't make my mistake. Go high. Go high.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06OK, I need three sheds to win.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14MATT CHUCKLES
0:42:14 > 0:42:16That's got to be it.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Yep. You've definitely won.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19All right, then, I think...
0:42:20 > 0:42:23I think I'm going to have one more go at the car.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25I can't get enough.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28You can spin your claw... I didn't know you could spin the claw.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Spin it!
0:42:35 > 0:42:36Got it!
0:42:36 > 0:42:38Yay!
0:42:39 > 0:42:45So there you have it - the Terex Fuchs MHL360.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46It handles stuff.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48It drops stuff.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50It crushes stuff really well.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55CHEERING
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- Come on, how fun was that? - Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02And you... You drive a tractor as well, right?
0:43:02 > 0:43:05Yeah, yeah, I drive a tractor, and whilst I think, you know,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07you've got a load of digging machinery,
0:43:07 > 0:43:11I bought a JCB, and that was a joy, the fact that...
0:43:11 > 0:43:12Cos there's not...
0:43:12 > 0:43:14I don't know many other people who are...
0:43:14 > 0:43:15who are quite into, you know,
0:43:15 > 0:43:19that sort of heavy plant machinery just for fun,
0:43:19 > 0:43:20but, you know, people do it for a job.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22- LAUGHTER I know.- They do it for a job.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24I know, I think we're in the wrong line of work.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25Yeah. Oh, it was great.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28But just to... Just... Do you ever just, erm...
0:43:30 > 0:43:35Do you ever just dig a big hole, just cos you can?
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Yes! Yes!
0:43:37 > 0:43:40- That's it.- Right?- Yeah, yeah, yeah. - Is that the best thing ever?
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Have you ever gone out and started digging a hole,
0:43:42 > 0:43:44and it's got, like, too big...
0:43:44 > 0:43:47- Yeah.- ..and it's got to the point where you're in the hole,
0:43:47 > 0:43:49and you go, "Oh, no, I should have just..."
0:43:49 > 0:43:51- And you hit water - did you ever do that?- Oh, yeah.
0:43:51 > 0:43:52- There you go. That's...- Yeah.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54"Did I break something? Ooh, let's fill that back in."
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- Yeah, but it's fun. - I can't believe it.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00Like, this is the only other man who I've ever met
0:44:00 > 0:44:03who has also built a dirt track and also has the heavy machinery.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05- It's like... - You make a lovely couple.- We do.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07- This is the first time...- We do. - You know what?
0:44:07 > 0:44:10Coming on this show feels like being part of a support group.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16OK, I think it's time to see how you did on your timed lap.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18How did it go out there?
0:44:18 > 0:44:19It was a lot of fun.
0:44:19 > 0:44:20It was a lot of fun, but, all day long,
0:44:20 > 0:44:22people have just been talking about the Olympians.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24You know, Max Whitlock...
0:44:24 > 0:44:26They've been talking about Chris Hoy, just saying,
0:44:26 > 0:44:28"They're focused. They're machines. They just...
0:44:28 > 0:44:31"They're the most focused human beings on the planet."
0:44:31 > 0:44:33Erm...
0:44:33 > 0:44:37I'm not the most focused human being on the planet, so we'll see.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39- But sometimes loose is fast.- OK. - You never know.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42- All right, let's take a look. - Let's have a look.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45- Here he goes, then. - TYRES SCREECH
0:44:45 > 0:44:46Well, that wasn't the best start.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48A bit of a fumble, there.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52Nicolas Cage, Gone In 60 Seconds - think about that. Right, OK.
0:44:52 > 0:44:53"OK, let's ride!" Oh, no. Hands on the wheel.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55Hands on the wheel - that's quite important.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59So what's it going to be like into this first corner?
0:44:59 > 0:45:00Braking's pretty good.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03And the line's pretty good too.
0:45:03 > 0:45:04And you've hung on to third gear and, look,
0:45:04 > 0:45:07you're using all the circuit, out on to the outside there.
0:45:07 > 0:45:08It's impressive.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11Braking into Chicago.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13What's that? Ooh, and you've hooked second gear,
0:45:13 > 0:45:15just locked the back up. Lost a bit of time.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Do it hard, da-ba, da-ba, da-ba!
0:45:17 > 0:45:21What was that noise that just came out of my face?
0:45:21 > 0:45:25Now down the right-hand side of the back straight.
0:45:25 > 0:45:26What can you carry?
0:45:26 > 0:45:29Fourth gear, we're going to get a trigger of brake light.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31- Yes. - Oh, madam!
0:45:32 > 0:45:35I've no idea what you're saying, but the line's good.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37The line is good.
0:45:37 > 0:45:38Oh, madam!
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Why do I keep saying, "Oh, madam"?
0:45:43 > 0:45:44Down to the follow-through.
0:45:44 > 0:45:46Oh, a bit mobile at the rear there.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48Mobile at the rear and a whoosh.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50- Ooh,- BLEEP,- shu-hoo-hoo!
0:45:50 > 0:45:53That was quite squirrely.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Now this is the trail brake
0:45:55 > 0:45:57which you didn't get right last time.
0:45:57 > 0:45:58OK.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01That was neat and you've used all the circuit too.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03Neat is fast, Ross. Neat is fast.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05Over the line.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07I think that looks quick.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:46:10 > 0:46:13All right. Well...
0:46:13 > 0:46:15- what do you think?- Ahh... - You feeling confident?
0:46:15 > 0:46:18I think that it was...
0:46:18 > 0:46:22That car, to be fair, that car really does just go
0:46:22 > 0:46:24all over the place. And I think looking at that,
0:46:24 > 0:46:27the start wasn't particularly good. It was a bit...
0:46:27 > 0:46:30So, yeah, I'm... Yeah, I think if I could beat the Doctor,
0:46:30 > 0:46:33if I could beat Tennant.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36Imagine though, Max... If I got faster than Max Whitlock,
0:46:36 > 0:46:38I mean, he's an Olympian.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40That's going to crush his world.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45He's going to be sat at home just going, "Him, that shabby Geordie?"
0:46:45 > 0:46:47OK. Well...
0:46:47 > 0:46:49you never know.
0:46:49 > 0:46:50Ooh.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52Erm...
0:46:53 > 0:46:56OK. Ross Noble, you did it
0:46:56 > 0:46:58- in one minute...- Yes!
0:46:58 > 0:47:00- ..30...- Yes!
0:47:03 > 0:47:06- ..seven...- Ooh!- Oh!
0:47:06 > 0:47:09- ..point five. Lovely.- Yes, yes!
0:47:11 > 0:47:13That is a great effort. You should be happy.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16He's an Olympian!
0:47:16 > 0:47:18Oh, yes!
0:47:18 > 0:47:21Ladies and gentlemen, Ross Noble. APPLAUSE
0:47:21 > 0:47:23- Well done.- I've crushed an Olympian's dreams!
0:47:31 > 0:47:32Right.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36Right, earlier on, Rory and I were exploring Cuba
0:47:36 > 0:47:38and its unique motoring culture.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40That's right and after our first day on the island,
0:47:40 > 0:47:44we managed to find some classic cars and some very passionate drag racers
0:47:44 > 0:47:46who had, let's be honest, destroyed us.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49Correct, but we weren't done with Cuba yet.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55The next morning we continued our Cuban adventure
0:47:55 > 0:47:58along the stunning north coast.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02It's a new dawn, a new day, my car's running beautifully,
0:48:02 > 0:48:05I've got the top down, the sun's rising.
0:48:05 > 0:48:06Bring it on!
0:48:06 > 0:48:10Having been thrashed once by our new drag racing friends,
0:48:10 > 0:48:14we wanted a rematch and had arranged to meet them again that afternoon.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17But first we were heading for the capital,
0:48:17 > 0:48:21the beating heart of Cuba, to see what motoring curiosities
0:48:21 > 0:48:23the legendary city had to offer.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27Oh, yes!
0:48:27 > 0:48:30This is it. Havana, baby.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33A pretty special looking place, look at it.
0:48:33 > 0:48:37It's falling down but magnificent at the same time.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39'And the cars...
0:48:39 > 0:48:42'oh, yeah, they were Cuban.'
0:48:44 > 0:48:48Oh, now, this is cool. Tell me this isn't cool.
0:48:48 > 0:48:49'Just like the drag race,
0:48:49 > 0:48:54'this was another living museum of not quite right Americana.'
0:48:54 > 0:48:56Well, that one's a Ford, that black thing.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00This thing next to me is a Chevy, that's a Deluxe something.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03The problem is they've all been slightly tweaked, haven't they?
0:49:03 > 0:49:06So they don't always have the correct headlights
0:49:06 > 0:49:09and sort of dressings and features.
0:49:09 > 0:49:13The only thing you can be certain of is that they're not new.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16OK. This green thing to my left.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19- ON RADIO:- 'I'm guessing a...
0:49:19 > 0:49:20'Pontiac.'
0:49:20 > 0:49:23Pontiac? Pontiac?
0:49:23 > 0:49:26In fact, I think it's an Oldsmobile, I think it's an Oldsmobile.
0:49:26 > 0:49:30Ah, he said it is a Pontiac "ocho-ocho".
0:49:30 > 0:49:33I don't know, I don't know what that is.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42Chris, these guys have just got married.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44In years to come, they'll look back and say,
0:49:44 > 0:49:45"Do you remember we got married
0:49:45 > 0:49:48"and we saw the worst muscle car ever made?"
0:49:48 > 0:49:50- Rev, rev, rev! - CAR REVS
0:49:50 > 0:49:51Yeah!
0:49:51 > 0:49:54'Undeterred, though, Rory set about winning over Havana.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59'And, not being irritating enough already,
0:49:59 > 0:50:02'had decided to start calling his car the 'Maro.'
0:50:02 > 0:50:05- CAR REVS - 'Maro!
0:50:05 > 0:50:06Chevy.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15Hola! I've made some friends, Chris.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18He just wanted a closer look at the 'Maro!
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Can you stop calling it the 'Maro?
0:50:20 > 0:50:24- I'm a tourist attraction. - That's one word for it.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30Honestly, though, Rory could have the limelight
0:50:30 > 0:50:34because I'd found what I'd really come to Havana for.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40This road I'm driving on is the Malecon,
0:50:40 > 0:50:43and that's special because this is the place
0:50:43 > 0:50:46where the first two Cuban Grand Prix took place, on this road.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49I'm in a Maserati where Maseratis once raced.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53This was a rare privilege.
0:50:53 > 0:50:5760 years since Fangio won the first Cuban Grand Prix,
0:50:57 > 0:51:01over 200,000 fans lining the streets,
0:51:01 > 0:51:06it was a time of danger, of glamour, a national obsession.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11Cuba had lost its love of racing but now,
0:51:11 > 0:51:14through a handful of dedicated racers, it was back.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20And as racers, they were very good...
0:51:20 > 0:51:21in a straight line.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29'It was time for the rematch.'
0:51:29 > 0:51:31The boys are back in town.
0:51:31 > 0:51:35'And this time we would be racing on our terms.'
0:51:35 > 0:51:39OK, guys. You absolutely thrashed us in the drag races,
0:51:39 > 0:51:41you owned us completely.
0:51:41 > 0:51:42So we played by your rules
0:51:42 > 0:51:46and I think it's time that you played by our rules.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48We want to introduce...
0:51:48 > 0:51:50- corners.- Oh, no, no.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52Have you ever driven around corners before?
0:51:52 > 0:51:54No, no, no!
0:51:54 > 0:51:57- Ah.- No, no, no.- Never.- Never?
0:51:57 > 0:52:00'With the playing field nicely levelled, then,
0:52:00 > 0:52:03'I set about preparing the circuit
0:52:03 > 0:52:07'while Chris gave the competition a bit of cornering 101.'
0:52:08 > 0:52:10The anatomy of the corner.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12Entry...
0:52:12 > 0:52:14clip...
0:52:14 > 0:52:16then the exit.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23Arghhh!
0:52:27 > 0:52:29We turn, get on the power.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31- Whoa.- Whoopa!
0:52:31 > 0:52:33- And then we get the exit.- OK!
0:52:45 > 0:52:48So, do you understand corners now? Good?
0:52:48 > 0:52:50- Bueno? - HE SPEAKS IN SPANISH
0:52:52 > 0:52:55- That was easy. - You've passed your test.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01Do you know what, mate?
0:53:01 > 0:53:04This might not be the most hi-tech set-up
0:53:04 > 0:53:06but, in our own messy little way,
0:53:06 > 0:53:09we're about to make a bit of history here.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13'Yes, with a few scattered tyres making up an oval track,
0:53:13 > 0:53:15'complete with chicane,
0:53:15 > 0:53:19'we were about to throw the first circuit race in Cuba for 57 years.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24'Naturally, qualification for this historic event would be decided
0:53:24 > 0:53:25'by the highly technical...
0:53:27 > 0:53:28'..drawing of straws.'
0:53:29 > 0:53:31Four.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33Seven.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35LAUGHTER
0:53:35 > 0:53:38- It's a stitch up, isn't it? - Good luck.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45Taking our places on the grid, then,
0:53:45 > 0:53:50fourth Cuban Grand Prix would be contested over as many laps.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52And starting from seventh place,
0:53:52 > 0:53:56if I was going to prove the Maserati's racing pedigree,
0:53:56 > 0:53:58I would have to come from the back of the pack.
0:54:00 > 0:54:04Dear Lord, that Ford was making some noise then.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07He also has a pair of testicles dangling down
0:54:07 > 0:54:08from the back of his car.
0:54:11 > 0:54:16Fangio, Moss, Reid,
0:54:16 > 0:54:17got quite a nice ring to it.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24This is just so cool.
0:54:24 > 0:54:25Come on, baby.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35I've passed one. I've passed one.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41There's the big Ford, get up the inside of him.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47He's quite quick.
0:54:47 > 0:54:48Up the inside?
0:54:48 > 0:54:50Yeah, why not?
0:54:50 > 0:54:54'After one lap, Chris had already climbed up to fourth.
0:54:54 > 0:54:58'The Maserati was on a mission but I was still ahead in third.'
0:54:58 > 0:55:00OK!
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Two Cubans in front of me.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04RORY LAUGHS
0:55:04 > 0:55:07Stay with them, 'Maro, stay with them. Stay with them, baby, come on.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10Oh, they're quick in a straight line!
0:55:10 > 0:55:11Oh, my goodness.
0:55:11 > 0:55:15'While Rory focused on the cars in front, though...'
0:55:15 > 0:55:18I've got Reid in front of me now.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20Oh, Harris is right behind me!
0:55:24 > 0:55:26Not sure I can do him here.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29Oh, Harris is right up my inside!
0:55:31 > 0:55:33No!
0:55:33 > 0:55:34Oh, he's got me!
0:55:35 > 0:55:37There we go, Reid.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40Damn you, Harris!
0:55:44 > 0:55:46My knob's come off!
0:55:47 > 0:55:49Rory Reid's under pressure.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55'Going into the last lap,
0:55:55 > 0:55:58'Chris had just the two fastest Cubans in front.'
0:55:59 > 0:56:01Right, let's catch the locals.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09I've got one. I've done one, I've done one.
0:56:09 > 0:56:10I've done one.
0:56:14 > 0:56:18'And there was only one thing he had come for...
0:56:18 > 0:56:20'to give his Maserati the win.'
0:56:22 > 0:56:25Come on! Yeah, Maserati leads again!
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Nice work, nice!
0:56:30 > 0:56:32RORY LAUGHS
0:56:34 > 0:56:37Once again, a Maserati leads in Cuba!
0:56:42 > 0:56:45Oh, history, it's history.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51'A tiny piece of history, perhaps,
0:56:51 > 0:56:56'but this small collection of cars on this ragged assembly of corners
0:56:56 > 0:56:59'had achieved something not seen for a generation.'
0:56:59 > 0:57:01- Well done.- Well done.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04Oh, my God. Well done, well done.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06- Well done, man.- Fantastic.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08Well done, man. Well done.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11'Cuba had raced...'
0:57:11 > 0:57:14Fantastic. Thank you, guys. Thank you.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16'..and we had been there.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20'And while it didn't look like much, it felt special.'
0:57:22 > 0:57:24APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Yeah!
0:57:24 > 0:57:27- That was great. That was great. - Amazing.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31Also, can we please just say a huge thank you to the people of Cuba?
0:57:31 > 0:57:34- Yep.- Great sports.- Mm-hm. - And good drivers too.- Yeah.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36OK, so, let me get this straight now,
0:57:36 > 0:57:41you had a race around corners on a course that you designed,
0:57:41 > 0:57:45against a bunch of locals who've never raced around corners.
0:57:45 > 0:57:46- Yeah.- Uh-huh.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48And they were driving cars from the 1950s
0:57:48 > 0:57:52and you beat them in your much newer Italian sports car.
0:57:52 > 0:57:54- Correct.- Yeah, and then you celebrated
0:57:54 > 0:57:57as if you'd just won the Monaco Grand Prix.
0:57:58 > 0:58:00- Yes.- Yeah.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02How do you feel about yourself?
0:58:02 > 0:58:04- Not so great now.- Yeah.
0:58:04 > 0:58:06Do you think you could have at least left the cars there
0:58:06 > 0:58:08- for the Cubans?- Well... - Matt, I wanted to, honestly.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10I was trying to tell him, anyway,
0:58:10 > 0:58:12but it turned out the government would've charged them
0:58:12 > 0:58:13like 20 grand in import duty
0:58:13 > 0:58:16and it didn't quite seem the right thing to do,
0:58:16 > 0:58:19- no matter how great the 'Maro is. - What? Stop, Rory. Please stop.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21It's not called a 'Maro.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23Listen, Matt, you're American, tell him.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26Yeah, yeah, he's right, I am American and no one...
0:58:26 > 0:58:30No one calls it a 'Maro, OK?
0:58:30 > 0:58:31All right, next week's show,
0:58:31 > 0:58:34I drive an eight-wheeled Russian thing.
0:58:34 > 0:58:36I drive the new Porsche Cayman.
0:58:36 > 0:58:39And we turn the world's ugliest car into a luxury yacht.
0:58:39 > 0:58:40We'll see you then.
0:58:40 > 0:58:42ALL: Goodnight!
0:58:42 > 0:58:45APPLAUSE AND CHEERING