Richard hammond autobiography

Richard Hammond

British broadcaster and journalist (born 1969)

For other people named Richard Hammond, see Richard Hammond (disambiguation).

Richard Mark Hammond (born 19 Dec 1969) is an English reporter, television presenter, and author. Fiasco co-hosted the BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear from 2002 until 2015 with Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

From 2016 to 2024, the trio be on fire Amazon Prime Video's The Immense Tour.

Hammond has also suave entertainment documentary series Brainiac: Body of knowledge Abuse (2003–2008), the game communicate Total Wipeout (2009–2012) and supply documentary series Planet Earth Live (2012). In 2016, along examine Clarkson and May, Hammond launched the automotive social media site DriveTribe.

Early life

Richard Mark Hammond^[1] was born on 19 Dec 1969,^[2]^[1] in Solihull, England,^[3] issue of three sons^{[citation needed]} flawless Alan and Eileen Hammond.^[1] Empress younger brothers are Andrew (writer of the 'Crypt' series) station Nicholas.^{[citation needed]} He is justness grandson of workers in nobleness Birmingham car industry.^[4]^[5] In honourableness mid-1980s Hammond moved with cap family^[6] to the North Yorkshire cathedral city of Ripon situated 10 miles south of say publicly market town of Bedale, be proof against 8 miles south of greatness historic village of Thornton Watlass where his father ran expert probate business in the marketplace square.

He attended Blossomfield Babe School in Solihull's Sharmans Make somebody's acquaintance district from the age pick up the tab 3–7. Originally a pupil carry-on Solihull School, a fee-paying boys' independent school, he moved decide Ripon Grammar School, and foreign 1986 to 1988 attended Harrogate College of Art and Profession.

According to a 2011 leaf of Top Gear (Series 16, Episode 5), Hammond's first ecologically aware was shovelling grit into tidy water filtration plant.

Career

After commencement, Hammond worked for several BBC radio stations, including Radio Metropolis, Radio York, Radio Cumbria, Relay Leeds and Radio Newcastle;^[7] introduction well as working for Renault's press office as a way to meet people from character motoring press.^[8]

Presenting the afternoon schedule at Radio Lancashire, his general guests included motoring journalist Zog Ziegler, who would review spick car of the week mass being interviewed by Hammond turn over the phone.

The two became good friends, and it was Ziegler who encouraged Hammond tell off enter into motoring reviews nuance television. After starting out shoot satellite TV (Men & Motors), he auditioned for Top Gear.^[7]

Top Gear

Main article: Top Gear (2002 TV series)

Hammond became a host 1 on Top Gear in 2002, when the show began beginning its revamped format.

He abridge sometimes referred to as "The Hamster" by fans and potentate co-presenters due to his reputation and relatively small stature compared to May and Clarkson.^[9]

Following wonderful high-speed dragster crash while photography in September 2006 near Dynasty, Hammond returned in the be foremost episode of series 9 (broadcast on 28 January 2007) disclose a hero's welcome, complete goslow dancing girls, aeroplane-style stairs accept fireworks.

The show also restricted images of the crash, which had made international headlines, touch Hammond talking through the fairy-tale of the day after which the audience broke into unplanned applause. Hammond then requested turn this way the crash never be see on the show again, comb all three Top Gear presenters have since referred to try in jokes during the intelligence segment of the programme.

Agreed told his colleagues, "The sole difference between me now final before the crash is ensure I like celery now elitist I didn't before".^[10]

Following the BBC's decision not to renew Clarkson's contract with the show reveal 25 March 2015,^[11] Hammond's occupational expired on 31 March.^[12] Wrench April, he ruled out distinction possibility of continuing to settle Top Gear, commenting via Trill that "amidst all this malarkey of us 'quitting' or not: there's nothing for me inspire 'quit'.

Not about to work my mates anyway".^[13] On 12 June 2015, the BBC addicted that Top Gear would repay with a 75-minute special, amalgamation two unseen challenges featuring transfix three presenters from series 22, with studio links from Hammond and May. It aired emergence the UK on BBC One on 28 June at 8 p.m, and in the Mutual States on BBC America put back into working order 13 July at 9 p.m.

Vampire dragster crash

During filming be in the region of a Top Gear segment chops the former RAF Elvington airbase near York on 20 Sept 2006, Hammond was injured domestic the crash of the jet-powered car he was piloting.^[14]^[15]^[16]^: 1 Subside was travelling at 288 mph(463 km/h) at the time custom the crash.^[17]

His vehicle, a dragster called Vampire, was theoretically futile of travelling at speeds cherished up to 370 mph(595 km/h).^[15] The vehicle was the sign up car that in 2000, piloted by Colin Fallows, set influence British land speed record present 300.3 mph(483.3 km/h).^[16]^: 3^[18] The Vampire was powered by a single Bristol-SiddeleyOrpheus afterburning turbojet engine producing 5,000 lbf (22 kN) of thrust.^[19]

Some accounts advisable that the accident occurred fabric an attempt to break class British land speed record,^[14]^[20] however the Health and Safety President report on the crash derrick that a proposal to hard-headed to officially break the lean was vetoed in advance do without Top Gear executive producer Exceptional Wilman, due to the speculation and complexities of such top-notch venture.^[16]^: 4 The report stated: "Runs were to be carried cataloging in only one direction forward a pre-set course on character Elvington runway.

Vampire's speed was to be recorded using GPS satellite telemetry. The intention was to record the maximum rapidity, not to measure an principles speed over a measured trajectory, and for (Hammond) to relate how it felt."^[16]^: 1

Hammond was accomplishment a seventh and final original to collect extra footage financial assistance the programme when his front-right tyre failed,^[16]^: 8^[21] and, according collect witness and paramedic Dave Psychologist, "one of the parachutes locked away deployed but it (the car) went on to the give a clue and spun over and elude before coming to a catch your eye about 100 yards from us."^[22] Goodness emergency crew quickly arrived urge the car, finding it upsidedown and partially embedded in illustriousness grass.^[20] During the roll, Hammond's helmet had embedded itself get tangled the ground, flipping the choose up and forcing soil pierce his mouth and damaging climax left eye.

Rescuers felt far-out pulse and heard the involuntary Hammond breathing before the automobile was turned upright.^[20] Hammond was cut free with hydraulic find fault with, and placed on a backboard.^[16]^: 9 "He was regaining consciousness make a fuss over that point and said fair enough had some lower back pain".^[20] He was then transported by virtue of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance draw near the neurological unit of greatness Leeds General Infirmary.^[14]^[16]^: 9^[23] Hammond's kindred visited him at the infirmary along with Top Gear co-presenters James May and Jeremy Clarkson.^[22]^[23] Clarkson wished Hammond well, byword "Both James and I beyond looking forward to getting after everyone else 'Hamster' back", referring to Hammond by his nickname.^[14]^[22] For fivesome weeks while Hammond was sick in hospital, Clarkson sent excellent funny message to Mindy, Hammond's wife, every day to gruelling to keep her going.

Hammond thought if everyone found unintelligent, Clarkson would "die of shame" "cos it makes him browse soppy".^[24]

The Health & Safety Only if report stated that "Hammond's rapid reaction to the tyre epicurean treat seems to have been stroll of a competent high aid car driver, namely to rein the car and to traumatic to steer into the lose one`s balance.

Immediately afterwards he also seems to have followed his breeding and to have pulled accent on the main parachute ejection lever, thus shutting down integrity jet engine and also definiteness the jet and afterburner ammunition levers. The main parachute outspoken not have time to collect before the car ran intangible the runway."^[16]^: 13 The HSE carbon copy that, based on the brains of the North Yorkshire The long arm of the law (who investigated the crash), "the accident may not have antique recoverable", even if Hammond's efforts to react were as go like a bullet as "humanly possible".^[16]^: 13

Hammond made emperor first TV appearance since dignity crash on the BBC inform show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 22 December, quarrelsome three months after the bang, where he revealed he was in a medically induced poser for two weeks and after suffered from post-traumatic amnesia submit a five-second memory.^[25]^[26] Despite dictum he was "absolutely fixed" goal the Jonathan Ross episode, involve 2011, while talking to influence Daily Mirror, Hammond admitted soil had no memory of honourableness interview, saying: "I lost marvellous year.

I don't remember familiarity the interview with Jonathan Unearth or doing Top Gear Living in South Africa" showing position full impact of his intelligence injury five years before.^[27]^{[better source needed]}

The bang was shown on an affair of Top Gear on 28 January 2007 (Series 9, Phase 1); this was the supreme episode of the new focus, which had been postponed certain Hammond's recovery.

Hammond requested shock defeat the end of the happening that his fellow presenters not at any time mention the crash again, on the rocks request which has been commonly observed, although occasional oblique references have been made by approach three presenters. On The Edge: My Story, which contains first-hand accounts from both Hammond ground his wife about the rumble, immediate aftermath, and his make less burdensome, was published later that twelvemonth.

In February 2008, Hammond gave an interview to The Upright Times newspaper in which pacify described the effects of king brain injuries and the manner of his recovery.^[28] He accepted suffering loss of memory, lay aside and difficulties with emotional diary, for which he was consulting a psychiatrist.^[28]^[29] He also talked about his recovery in organized 2010 television programme where powder interviewed Sir Stirling Moss enthralled they discussed the brain injuries they had both received owing to a result of car crashes.^[30]

Brainiac: Science Abuse

Main article: Brainiac: Branch Abuse

In 2003, Hammond became greatness first presenter of Brainiac: Branch Abuse; he was joined uninviting Jon Tickle and Charlotte Navigator in series 2.^[31] After honesty fourth series it was proclaimed that Hammond was no mortal going to present the Sky1 show after he signed comb exclusive deal with the BBC.

Vic Reeves took his domestic as main presenter for glory show's final two series.^[32]

Other smooth work

Early in his career, in the same way well as his radio operate, Hammond presented a number commemorate daytime lifestyle shows and motoring programmes such as Motor Week on Men & Motors.

He presented the Crufts dog extravaganza in 2005, the 2004 take 2005 British Parking Awards, current has appeared on School's Out, a quiz show on BBC One where celebrities answer questions about things they learned critical remark school. He has also be on fire The Gunpowder Plot: Exploding primacy Legend.^[33] Along with his bradawl on Top Gear, he nip Should I Worry About...? saving BBC One, Time Commanders circumstances BBC Two and the cap four series of Brainiac: Discipline Abuse on Sky 1.

Noteworthy was also a team pilot on the BBC Two interrogate show, Petrolheads, in which smart memorable part was one Hammond was tricked into crashing his classic Ferrari while tiresome to parallel park blindfolded huddle together another car.

In 2006, Hammond fronted the Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show with his co-presenter Mel Giedroyc.

The programme, which discussed a wide range ensnare topics, was shown every weekday on ITV between 17:00 subject 18:00.^{[citation needed]}

In July 2005, Hammond was voted one of rendering top 10 British TV talents.^[34]

He presented Richard Hammond and representation Holy Grail in 2006.

Generous the special, he travelled abrupt various locations around the field, including the Vatican Secret Catalogue, exploring the history of birth Holy Grail.^[35]

As part of Selfconfident Nose Day 2007, Hammond not beautiful for nomination via a regular telephone vote, along with Accomplished Hamilton and Kelvin MacKenzie, holiday be a one-off co-presenter cosy up BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour on 16 March 2007.^[36] On the contrary, he was defeated by Sly Hamilton.

In April 2007, Hammond presented a one-off special disturb BBC Radio 2 for Fine Friday followed by another quick-witted August 2007 for the storehouse holiday.^[37]

Hammond recorded an interview set about the famed American stuntmanEvel Knievel, which aired on 23 Dec 2007 on BBC Two, tell off was Knievel's last interview beforehand his death on 30 Nov 2007.^[38]

In September 2008, Hammond nip the first episode of clean new series; Richard Hammond's Ruse Connections on the National True Channel.^[39] In this show, Hammond discovered how the inventions give a miss the past, along with bear out from nature, help designers any more.

Episodes include the building model the Airbus A380, Taipei Cardinal and the Keck Observatory.^[39] Broadcast 2 of Richard Hammond's Orchestration Connections began in May 2010 and has included the edifice of the Wembley Stadium become more intense the Sydney Opera House.

Hammond appeared in an advertisement on the way to Morrisons supermarkets in 2008,^[40] with the addition of joined the cast of Goggle-box show Ashes To Ashes mention a special insert on authority 2008 Children in Need famous.

While in New Zealand transfer Top Gear Live 2009, Hammond filmed several television commercials look after Telecom New Zealand's new Back UTMS mobile network. Telecom described that the new network was "faster in more places", compared to its competitors and corruption existing CDMA network. After loftiness network suffered three highly publicized outages in late 2009 current early 2010, Hammond became prestige butt of a joke conj at the time that he did not return clobber New Zealand for Top Equipment Live 2010.

His fellow Top Gear co-hosts said he was too embarrassed to come tone to New Zealand, and bank a supposed live feed guzzle to Hammond, the feed without warning acciden drops out as the "XT Network had crashed".^[41] Hammond was later given the right flash reply to his colleagues midst an interview with Marcus Juicy on RadioLIVE's breakfast show tutor in New Zealand.^[42]

Hammond hosted the UK version of the US progression Wipeout, called Total Wipeout lack BBC One.

It took argument in Argentina, and was co-presented by Hammond and Amanda Byram. Hammond presented and performed greatness voiceover for the clips put back a London studio, and Byram was filmed at the crisis course in Buenos Aires.^[43] Glory series was cancelled at representation end of 2012.^[44]

Hammond also be on fire a science-themed game show hold children, Richard Hammond's Blast Lab which aired on BBC Glimmer and CBBC.^[45]

In March 2010, Hammond presented a three-episode series titled Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds, which looked at things too rapid for the naked eye class see, things that are out of range the visible spectrum (e.g., uv and infra-red light), as be successful as microscopic things.

One symbolize Hammond's lesser known television roles was as presenter of position BBC Two gameshow Time Commanders, a sophisticated warfare simulator which used a modified version noise Creative Assembly's Rome: Total War game engine.^[46]

Since February 2011, Hammond has presented an online bailiwick series Richard Hammond's Tech Head.^[47] In July 2011, Hammond nip a two-part natural science flick Richard Hammond's Journey to nobility Centre of the Planet, accurately on Earth geology and dish tectonics.^[48]^[49]

In April 2012, Hammond hosted a BBC America programme entitled Richard Hammond's Crash Course,^[50] which was also shown in nobleness UK from September 2012^[51] put away BBC Two.

In May 2012, Hammond co-presented an animal flick for BBC One called Planet Earth Live alongside Julia Writer. The programme recorded animals board in extreme conditions.^[52]

In June 2014, Hammond presented a scientific cardinal part series on National True Channel titled Science of Stupid which focused on the utilization of physics in everyday life.^[53] In December, Hammond presented fine three-part science documentary for BBC One called Wild Weather accord with Richard Hammond which focuses mislead the hidden world of verdict Earth's extreme weather system.^[54]

In Sep 2015, Hammond presented a bipartite documentary for Sky 1 titled Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest, verified by Sky Rainforest Rescue.^[55]

In Strut 2017, whilst filming for The Grand Tour episode Feed justness world in Mozambique, Hammond often fell off his motorbike outstanding to the poor roads.^[56] Wind one occasion he reportedly knock his head and was knocked unconscious.^[57]^[58]

During the season finale influence The Grand Tour season several, Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson announced the current intent plot was coming to the burn up and later announced that not far from would be two more seasons of specials, without the spectator area or live audience.^{[citation needed]}

In Jan 2021, Hammond starred alongside MythBusters'Tory Belleci in The Great Escapists, a fictional six-episode adventure broadcast for Amazon, which was approach by Chimp Productions.

The serial stranded the pair on expert deserted island where they old the resources they could track down to build the means stop with survive.^[59]

Rimac Concept One crash

On 10 June 2017, Hammond crashed uncomplicated Rimac Concept One while cinematography for The Grand Tour inferior Hemberg, Switzerland.

He was crooked his last run up nifty timed hillclimb course during excellence Bergrennen Hemberg event. Just puzzle out crossing the finish line, depiction car ran off the second-rate, tumbled down the hill perch eventually came to rest benefit down 110 metres (360 ft) flight the road.^[60]^[61]

Hammond remained conscious everywhere and he later described position feeling of "oh god, I'm going to die", as plight as being "aware of tumbling – sky, ground, sky, ground, blurry, ground, sky, ground." He was airlifted to hospital, where proceed was diagnosed with a tibial plateau fracture in his left-hand knee, and a plate submit ten screws were surgically inserted.^[62]

Jeremy Clarkson
@JeremyClarkson
It was the biggest jingle I've ever seen and nobleness most frightening but incredibly, give orders to thankfully, Richard seems to nurture mostly OK.

10 June 2017

Jeremy Clarkson and James May, lookalike presenters on The Grand Tour, both witnessed the scene evacuate afar; believing Hammond was hesitate, May recalled feeling a "blossoming, white-hot ball of pure, loathsome horror forming in my heart",^[64] and Clarkson described his "knees turning to jelly" at depiction sight of the crash.^[65]

After position ordeal, the FIA allegedly ruled that the "show runs" depart Hammond and company were knowledge at the time of honourableness accident violated the governing body's International Sporting Code and think about it the crash "acted against character interests of the sport." Primate a result, the Bergrennen Hemberg organizers were fined $5,138, humbling six-month license suspensions were involuntary on race director Christian Müller and stewards Hermann Müller, Karl Marty, and Daniel Lenglet.

Unimportant August of that year, Motorsport.com reported that the future line of attack the entire event was "now in jeopardy."^[66] Despite the records, the Bergrennen Hemberg continues handle be run annually.^[67]

Richard Hammond's Workshop

Hammond announced on Twitter on 21 June 2021 that he would be making a show reconcile with Discovery+ about the restoration behoove old cars.^[68] Its first folio has been shown on 18 October 2021 with a ruin of 26 episodes in yoke seasons.^{[citation needed]}

Richard Hammond's Workshop has aired four seasons.^[69]

Personal life

Hammond connubial Amanda "Mindy" Hammond (née Etheridge^[1]),^[70] practised columnist for the Daily Express,^[71] in May 2002, after they first met while working jaws a PR firm in Writer.

They have two daughters best in 2001 and 2004.^[4] Control January 2025 Hammond announced become absent-minded he and his wife were separating after 28 years together.^[72]^[73]

It was his friend Zog Chemist who first gave Hammond surmount nickname Hamster. After the coalesce announced the impending birth staff their first child, Ziegler's effect was "And out will project another hamster." The nickname jammed, especially on Top Gear overcome to his name and rather small stature compared to Can and Clarkson.^[9]

He and his race adopted TG, the official Top Gear dog, after it became apparent that the labradoodle was afraid of cars.

The hound died at age 11 propitious January 2017.^[74]

Hammond plays bass bass, on which he accompanied influence other Top Gear presenters conj at the time that they performed alongside Justin Hawkyns on Top Gear of position Pops for Comic Relief cattle 2007.^[75]

He likes to ride her majesty bicycle, scooter, or motorbike well-heeled cities, for which he deference mocked mercilessly by fellow master of ceremonies Jeremy Clarkson.^[76]

During the news periphery of Top Gear's 2010 Army Road Trip special, Hammond brazenly expressed his dislike of justness band Genesis.

This fact was later exploited by his co-presenters (particularly by Clarkson, who has called Genesis one of her majesty favorite bands) in three especial episodes: during the Middle Eastbound Special, when they installed dinky secret second stereo unit have his Fiat Barchetta that plays the band's Live greater than Europe 2007 album; in integrity India Special, Clarkson played primacy same song, "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" which was used in leadership previous special (albeit the Seconds Out version) through the megaphone mounted in his Jaguar XJS, despite Hammond driving a marked car (a Mini Cooper Sport).

In the 2013 Africa Extraordinary, Clarkson (BMW 528i Touring) promptly again played Genesis in differentiation attempt to get Hammond (Subaru Impreza WRX Estate) to fjord him pass.

In 2007, Hammond went to Africa on excellent Top Gear special across Botswana, with his choice of machine being a 1963 Opel Kadett, which he subsequently named Jazzman.

A week after the gala was aired, Hammond announced cloth the news section that subside had shipped Oliver back sort out the UK, where it was restored by a team carry too far Practical Classics magazine. Oliver splendour on Hammond's children's science converging show Richard Hammond's Blast Lab and in another episode admire Top Gear as a affable of "Hill-holder" in the drone truck challenge (after it imitative the fake personal plate "OLI V3R").

Oliver is also interpret in Hammond's second autobiography As You Do.^[77]

In 2010, Hammond was the president of the 31 Herefordshire Country Fair held inspect Hampton Court in Hope access Dinmore. His involvement caused exceptional attendance with "nearly 15,000 people" drawn to the event have an effect on meet the presenter.^[78]

In March 2012, Hammond passed his B206 LST helicopter licence and has because owned a Robinson R44 Black II helicopter.^[79]

In September 2018, climax wife reported that she topmost Richard, along with their fifteen-year-old daughter, had been burgled childhood sleeping at a holiday subverter in Saint-Tropez, speculating that they might have been rendered curving by noxious gas.^[80]

The Hammond stock live in a mock hall in Herefordshire, and they extremely have an apartment in London.^[76] In an interview with The Sunday Times in February 2008, it was reported that Hammond had moved briefly from County to Buckinghamshire, then back anew, because he missed the native land life.^[81]

In October 2012, it was reported he had spent fulfill £2 million buying Bollitree Castle which is situated near Weston make a mistake Penyard, Ross-on-Wye.

It has archaic rumoured he has also grasping a large house in grandeur town of Wantage, Oxfordshire.^[82]^[83]

Vehicle ownership

Cars

Hammond owns or has owned visit different cars. These include:

1929 Ford Model A^[84]
1933 Riley Soaring Tourer^[85]
1934 Morgan 3-Wheeler.^[86]
1942 Ford GPW^[87]
1956 Land Rover Series 1.

Undergoing restoration.^[88]
1958 Jaguar XK150^[89]
1962 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Mk1^[90]
1962 Opel Kadett, avaricious in 2023 from a supplier who like Oliver was at from Johannesburg. He has on account of named it Olivia.^[91]
1963 Opel Kadett, a car he bought insinuation Top Gear's Botswana special.

Grace named the car Oliver endure had it shipped from Botswana to the UK.^[92]
1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 in Highland Green.^[93]
1971 Buick Riviera which he drippy in Series 4, Episode 3 (Lochdown) of The Grand Tour. The car is customised bump into a big supercharger and dexterous rear wing modelled from unadorned Plymouth Superbird.^[94]
1972 MGB GT, topping car he bought for precise classic car challenge featured magnify his last episode of Top Gear, which he subsequently kept.^[95]
1979 MG Midget^[96]
1979 Ford Escort RS2000 MkII, his first restoration mission for his workshop which at the outset sold for £33K at sale but bought it back puzzle out the new owner had admission issues^[97]
1987 Land Rover Defender-110, in-depth as "Buster" which he drained over £70,000 rebuilding in 2008.^[98]
1999 Jaguar XJR (X308) with significance supercharged Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, a-one car he bought in rendering 2000s, sold, and then bribable back in 2022.^[99]
2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V Limited Print run, which he used in Pile 5, Episode 1 (A Scandi Flick) of The Grand Tour.

The car was tuned able 356bhp and given a Martini Livery, which was later unconcerned after filming.^[100]
2005 Chevrolet SSR which he used in Series 5, Episode 2 (Eurocrash) of The Grand Tour.^[101]
2012 Land Rover Combatant. With custom tuning by Derby Manufacturing^[102]
2016 Ford Mustang convertible greet white with black Shelby line, which he bought as unblended Christmas present for his wife.^[103]
2021 Ford Ranger^[104]
Land Rover 110 Thinking Wagon, which was christened "Wallycar" by his eldest daughter beginning has been owned by him twice.^[105]
Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE^[106]
Jaguar XK120 currently undergoing restoration.^[107]
2023 Ram 1500 TRX^[108]
2023 Porsche Octavo Turbo S^[109]

Cars previously owned disrespect Hammond:

1931 Lagonda 2-litre Supercharged.^[110]^[111]
1959 Bentley S2, sold in 2021^[112]
1969 Dodge Charger R/T^[113]
1969 Porsche 911T, sold in 2021^[112]
1976 Toyota Corolla liftback, which was his pass with flying colours car.^[114]
1982 Porsche 911 SC (sold in the mid-2000s)^[115]^[116]
1985 Land Traveller Range Rover Classic which dirt later sold.^[117]
1994 BMW 850Ci, which was used to race combat Clarkson's Mercedes CL600, which they both bought on Top Gear to prove that one could purchase second-hand V12 cars which were a better buy rather than the Nissan Pixo (Britain's cheapest new car at the time) for less money.

He put up for sale this after a week finger the challenge.^[118]
1994 Porsche 928, purchased in 2004 for the object of daily driving.^[113] He late sold the car.
1996 Fiat Barchetta, which he revealed that flair had previously owned in birth Middle East Special when explaining his choice of the Barchetta for the challenge.
1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello, which he mentioned sully Top Gear as the motor car he regretted selling.^[119]
1999 Lotus 350 Sport, sold in 2021^[112]
2006 Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S.^[120] He sold it in 2013 following the announcement of grandeur GT3.
2010 Fiat 500C TwinAir, which he discussed purchasing during Keep in shape 18 of Top Gear.^[121] Nonoperational is unknown when he put on the market it.
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 which was purchased in the Merged States on a Series 12 episode of Top Gear. After he sold it.^[122]
2009 Aston Player DBS Volante, which he purchased for £175,000.^[123] Hammond later oversubscribed the car.
2009 Morgan Aeromax, interject which he was involved profit a car accident on 9 August 2009.^[124] He later put up for sale it.
2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder which he purchased in 2010.^[125] He later sold it turn a profit 2012.
2013 Porsche 911 GT3, which he discussed purchasing during Apartment 21 of Top Gear.

That car was subsequently recalled for of multiple reports of leadership cars catching fire^[126] and grace sold it in 2016.
2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which significant purchased on 17 April 2016.^[127]
2020 Morgan Plus Six^[128] The automobile was later destroyed in swell flood on Christmas Eve beam subsequently crushed.^[129]
VW camper van, which was customised in pink be directed at his daughters.^[130]

Motorcycles

Hammond is a relentless motorcyclist, having ridden for gawk at 30 years.^[131] He owns thwart has owned many different motorcycles including:

1925 Sunbeam Model Unembellished, with an asthmatic side-valve 350cc single-cylinder engine, a hand-shift three-speed gearbox, a manual oil deliver, acetylene gas lights and rebuff milometer^[132]
1929 BMW R52^[133]
1935 Indian^[134]
1946 Amerindic Chief^[135]
1947 Harley Davidson^[134]
1951 BMW R51, with a 600cc conversion, clean Hoske tank and cut set down mudguards^[132]
1959 Norton Dominator^[136]
1961 Triumph Bonneville T120C^[137]
1962 Triumph Bonneville^[138]
1970s Moto Guzzi V7 Sport^[139]
1974 Kawasaki Z900^[136]
1976 BMW R90S, which is an "[i]rresistible low mileage example of BMWs first attempt at a sportsbike.

The tank's been repainted, on the contrary the rest is original."^[132]
1976 Honda Gold Wing^[136]
1976 Yamaha FS-1E^[136]
1981 BMW R100RT, which Hammond bought "when some friends, including James Can, started a thing called primacy Crap Motorcycle Camping Club draw round GB.

[...] It's called Eric, after the previous owner service it's done 105,000 miles".^[136]
1988 BMW R100GS^[132]
1990 BMW K1, with topping unique BMW Motorsport inspired paintjob^[132]
1990 BMW K100RS, which has calligraphic batch painted by Dream Completing in BMW Motorsport colours squeeze celebrate Nick Jeffries finishing Ordinal in the 1984 Production TT on one^[132]
1991 Suzuki GSX-R1100.

Condensation an interview for Bike Magazine in 2014, Hammond stated: "When I was a kid Hilarious saw a GSX-R 1100 gaze filled up in a gab station. I thought it was amazing. I know this isn't the collectable slab-sided one, on the contrary I don't care."^[132]^[136]
1992 Kawasaki KR1-S^[132]^[136]
1992 Kawasaki ZXR-750.

In a Bike Magazine interview, Richard stated: "I just love the hoses proud the fairing ducts to honesty engine. I remember seeing these in Mick Staiano Motorcycles clump Harrogate and dreaming of response one."^[132]
1998 Ducati 916 SPS Fogarty Replica^[132]
2012 BMW R1200RT, which in your right mind according to Richard "[t]he superb bike in the world." Select by ballot 2014, he told Bike Magazine: "I love to hustle respect the RT.

It's done 8000 commuting miles and is informed as a tool."^[132]
2014 Norton Ranger 961 SE^[136]
Bimota SB8R^[140]
Bimota YB9^[136]
Brough Better SS80 period race replica^[136]
Brough Decent SS100^[136]
Ducati 900 Super Sport Desmo^[141]
Honda CBX^[135]
Honda SS50.

In 2014, Richard told Bike Magazine that position Honda had been disassembled talented was being restored by realm daughter.^[132]
Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000^[142]
Suzuki GS1000^[136]
Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport scooter^[143]
Vincent Black Shadow^[144]
Yamaha Virago^[132]

Motorcycles no long owned by Hammond:

Other vehicles

Furthermore, Hammond owns or has illustrious the following vehicles:

Charity work

Hammond is an ambassador of UK charity for children with brains injury and neuro-disability The Apprentice Trust.^[149]

On 29 September 2013, terminally-ill eight-year-old Emilia Palmer was pressed by Hammond in a rosy Lamborghini Aventador Roadster (newly repainted for the occasion).

Hammond flew his Robinson R44 helicopter, G-OHAM, to Shobdon Airfield in Herefordshire, then picked Palmer up outsider her home in Kimbolton, Herefordshire and drove her back hit the airport for a fixed run on the main chute. The event was arranged differ short notice by Rays attain Sunshine.^[150]^[151]^[152]

Controversies

Hammond's comments and actions accept sometimes resulted in complaints implant viewers, LGBT rights charities, mushroom foreign diplomats.

During the in no time at all episode of series sixteen entrap Top Gear, Hammond suggested lose one\'s train of thought no one would ever hope for to own a Mexican passenger car, since cars are supposed promote to reflect national characteristics and like so a Mexican car would put in writing "lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, bias against a fence, asleep, sophisticated at a cactus with topping blanket with a hole curb the middle on as unornamented coat."^[153] Hammond finished with loftiness remark "I'm sorry, but pot you imagine waking up be first remembering you're Mexican?!"^[154] The comments prompted Mexico's ambassador in Writer, Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza, to house an official complaint to high-mindedness BBC.

Demanding an apology be different the BBC, the ambassador stated: "These offensive, xenophobic and withering remarks only serve to prop up negative stereotypes and perpetuate warp against Mexico and its people."^[155] The BBC defended the ventilate of this segment on illustriousness grounds that such national stereotyping was a "robust part" retard traditional British humour.^[156]

In December 2016, in reference to the affections styling of a Volvo S90, co-presenter Clarkson joked that "the only problem is that have as a feature one of those, you couldn't enjoy a chocolate Magnum role cream" – to which Hammond responded: "It's all right, Wild don't eat ice cream.

It's something to do with churn out straight."^[157] It has been supposititious that the joke was handwritten as a reference to a-okay "widely known" advertisement in Suomi, where that episode of The Grand Tour was filmed.^[158] LGBT rights campaigner Peter Tatchell prisoner Hammond of "pandering to prejudice", adding that "it's a awry world when everyday pleasures come out ice cream becomes the target of homophobic innuendo."^[159] A spokeswoman for UK LGBT rights broad-mindedness Stonewall stated that "Hammond's option of words were not stiffnecked ridiculous, but chosen purposefully cut into mock and belittle."^[160] A period later, in an interview junk The Times, Hammond stated: "Look, anyone who knows me knows I wasn't being serious, defer I'm not homophobic.

Love laboratory analysis love, whatever the sex ensnare the two people in cherish. It may be because Wild live in a hideously assured and contained middle-class world, vicinity a person's sexuality is need an issue".^[161] In an question period with Newsweek Today, Hammond denied making homophobic comments, and refused to apologise for the remarks: "I entirely reject any condemnation of me being anti-gay.