Top Gear vs. Mythbusters
Given my geeky tendencies, it should be no surprise that among the few shows I follow on tv, Top Gear and Mythbusters rank at the top. It's not just what the shows are about (cars and, well, myths/urban legends) but the amusing way in which almost everything is approached. It is even more fun when, occasionally, the two shows tackle the same subject. For example, over the years, both shows tackled the subject of escaping from a sinking car, and they agreed in their conclusions. Then, both shows wondered whether it would be possible to beat a speed-trap camera by just going very fast.
On Mythbusters, the camera was set up at a circuit and a sports car attempted to go past the camera fast enough to not get caught. I don't remember the exact details, but I think the car got somewhere around 100 miles an hour with absolutely no effect on the camera: the license place appeared clear as day on the picture. Conclusion: myth busted.
Or is it? Top Gear is, after all, a car show. With the Stig. Their conclusion was slightly different. It is, actually, possible to beat a speed-trap camera by going fast. You just need a car capable of going 170 mph to do it. Advantage: Britain.
On Mythbusters, the camera was set up at a circuit and a sports car attempted to go past the camera fast enough to not get caught. I don't remember the exact details, but I think the car got somewhere around 100 miles an hour with absolutely no effect on the camera: the license place appeared clear as day on the picture. Conclusion: myth busted.
Or is it? Top Gear is, after all, a car show. With the Stig. Their conclusion was slightly different. It is, actually, possible to beat a speed-trap camera by going fast. You just need a car capable of going 170 mph to do it. Advantage: Britain.
posted by Virgil Petrisor at 8:52 PM
2 Comments:
Well, Virgil, they did revisit it with a very fast (jet powered, I believe, but the MBers weren't driving it), and that pass didn't register on the speed camera. Same result on the revisit as Top Gear. All good!
I beleive the reason for that is that in England, you need to get two pictures of the lisence plate to legally issue a ticket, wheras in America, you only need one. That's what Jamie and Adam said anyway.
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