It's been quite a weekend.

"It's a "Porch-uh"" (ikazuchi)
09/26/2016 at 15:51 • Filed to: the grand tour, top gear, Planelopnik

Wow. Saturday was the Miramar Air Show, which is one of the best... in the world. We had “backstage” access with Team Oracle and Sean D. Tucker, who can make an airplane do some interesting things.

Got to see an F-35 “relatively” close as they taxied it out.

Got deafened by a Harrier hanging out about 500ft away. And watched the Blue Angels doing their thing. Overall, a damn fine way to spend a Saturday with the kids.

Sunday my wife and I ditched the kids and went to The Grand Tour taping out in scenic Apple Valley, CA.

That’s us right behind the TV screen. Great spot to see the chairs that they would be sitting in, but nothing when they were standing up. Luckily they only needed the screen there for the opening shot and we were able to see much better. Watch for a gal with a purple mohawk in the background of the Jeremy shots and I’ll be right next to her (my wife).

No spoilers, but the new show will not leave you wishing for the old one. They’re still funny as hell and the films are on-par with what they did on TG. I’ll answer some questions about being there, but I don’t want to ruin the show for anybody.

Also, Hammond is shorter in person. I thought he’d be my height, but I had at least an inch or two on him.

Overall, it was really surreal being a few feet from the guys. Made the six hours of standing around worthwhile.

Then this morning the plane fun picked back up when Team Oracle took me for a flight. Lots of loops and inversions and barrel rolls. It was really awesome and I managed not to throw up in the plane.

Now I’m back to real life... not sure what to do until next weekend (LeMons at Buttonwillow).

DISCUSSION (11)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/26/2016 at 16:10

Sounds like an amazing weekend!

Flynorcal shifts in his bucket seats > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/26/2016 at 16:12

Rad. Sean’s a trip, eh? I fly Extra300's and Pitts Specials out of King City and know the plane in your photo quite well. Trippy bit of logistical info for you: That plane only holds enough gas for an hour’s worth of flight time. When he performs in shows in places like Florida, getting the plane there and back is a long series of 1 hour flights followed by refueling, over and over and over. Grueling way to go across the country. They don’t space out airports exactly the right distance apart either.

Berang > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/26/2016 at 16:29

For a second I thought Hammond had gotten even shorter, but then I noticed he was just farther away.

Which then reminded me of this:

Brian, The Life of > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/26/2016 at 17:36

I can’t believe you were wearing a sweater on Sunday. It was way too warm for that!

;)

Kinja'd!!!

Garrett Davis > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/26/2016 at 18:01

God damn, what a busy weekend!

I was there for the taping of the opening sequence, but sadly didn’t get into the studio taping. It was still one hell of a day out there, got quite sunburned.

Agreed, these guys have not lost one bit of their humor or their edge. I can’t wait for these to start airing.

kernkernkern > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/26/2016 at 18:22

I was at the Saturday TGT festivities and had a blast. Lucky you getting into the tent!

And yes, Hammond is a little guy. At the beginning of the day (under the tent at the high school) he came out to talk to people...couldn’t see him at all (I should note that I’m 5'-2" and generally can’t see anyway). Then at the event they had all three come up through the crowd and I could only see a glimpse of him through heads. But he was easy enough to see up on stage and then they took to introducing each other via roasts and a good time was had by all.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Flynorcal shifts in his bucket seats
09/26/2016 at 18:43

Yeah, luckily they fly up to SF next, but after that they have to head out east.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Brian, The Life of
09/26/2016 at 18:44

Sometimes it’s tough being so manly.

Brian, The Life of > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/26/2016 at 18:57

I was gonna make a Robin Williams joke but ... too soon

Hot Takes Salesman > Brian, The Life of
09/26/2016 at 19:51

Nah, I’ve already told plenty of Robin’s stand-up jokes to my friends. What a legend.

Chris Clarke > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/27/2016 at 12:08

In the words of the great Sean D. Tucker. “Yeah baby!”