Afterward, the "Celebrity Brain Crash" segment is introduced, featuring celebrities who are scheduled to appear on the show, but are all humorously "killed" before being able to take part. Then the show's new test track, the "Eboladrome" at RAF Wroughton, is revealed, where after a Ferrari 488 is driven, Clarkson test drives a BMW M2, which is then taken around the "Eboladrome" by their new driver, former NASCAR champion Mike Skinner. After the first portion of the film, Clarkson, back at the tent, introduces the "Conversation Street" segment, where the trio talk about a speeding ticket that May received for driving a mere 37 miles per hour (60 km/h). The film presented in the episode shows Clarkson, Hammond and May testing three hybrid hypercars the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and LaFerrari at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal. The trio greet the audience and viewers and also introduce the show's tent. Irish rock band Hothouse Flowers plays "I Can See Clearly Now" as the trio drive modified Ford Mustangs through the California desert to Rabbit Dry Lake, while being accompanied by a range of cars and a fly-over by the Breitling Jet Team.
It attracted nearly two million viewers in its first weekend of release and was eventually made available to non- Amazon Prime members for free viewing from 23 to 26 December 2016.Ĭlarkson, Hammond and May launch their new series with a film showing Clarkson leaving London to fly to Los Angeles where he meets Hammond and May. Critics noted similarities between the episode and Top Gear in their reviews. The episode received very positive reviews from critics upon its release.
For the film, the trio traveled in three supercars to the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, where they had timed laps performed by race car driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio. The episode features the trio introducing the new bits of the show, as well as their film. Filming for the introduction and tent scenes took place in Los Angeles, California in September 2016. Later in 2015, they signed a deal with Amazon to create an original series. Prior to filming, Clarkson's contract was not renewed by the BBC after he was involved in an altercation with a Top Gear producer in March 2015, leaving Hammond, May, and Wilman to follow him in departing the show following the end of the series. Chump and Sons, with executive production done by Andy Wilman, who previously served as the executive producer of Top Gear. Production of the episode was handled by W. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, who previously presented as a trio on BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear, present the show. It was made available exclusively through the Amazon Video streaming service, first on 17 November 2016 at 23:00 GMT. " The Holy Trinity" is the first episode of British motoring series The Grand Tour.