View Full Version : Jay Leno Green Race track
Sounds like he is watching the UK car show scene.
His new show involves cars in a couple of ways including interviews in cars (Leweno?) There is also green racing.
'Jay Leno Show' format revealed--The Live Feed (http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/08/jay-leno-tca-panel.html)
Leno also previewed some segments, such as the advertiser-friendly "Green Car Challenge," where celebrities race against each other in alternative fuel vehicles. NBC has built a race track next to the studio where guests can compete against each other.
"You can see who is faster, Shaquille O'Neal or Cameron Diaz," Leno said.
I will certainly be watching...
dpeilow
09-09-2009, 11:37 AM
Officially, official: Jay Leno to put stars in (un)reasonably priced car — Autoblog Green (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/officially-official-jay-leno-to-put-stars-in-un-reasonably-pr/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/fordbev_04b.jpg
stopcrazypp
09-18-2009, 03:46 PM
VIDEO: Ford engineers show off the new Focus BEV for the Jay Leno Show — Autoblog Green (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/video-ford-engineers-show-of-the-new-focus-bev-for-the-jay-leno/)
The Focus prototype looks very good. They went with the Euro spec Focus ST to do the conversion. Hopefully we see an actual production version soon.
DnOBmitCDEs
Related PR video:
FXR8lDR2tWc
All I know, with all that branding on the car they'd better start selling the darn thing. I question the wisdom of starting with a gas car that's not even available in the US. At any rate, this is a good marketing move for Ford, if only we could actually buy the car. Though now they're claiming a Focus BEV will go on sale in 2011.
The Ford Story: Electric Ford Focus is the Car for Stars on “The Jay Leno Show (http://www.thefordstory.com/green/electric-ford-focus-is-the-car-for-stars-on-%E2%80%9Cthe-jay-leno-show%E2%80%9D/)
This video is cool because it shows some of the conversion process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErFRyfT1nk8&feature=player_embeddedThe woman narrating the video claims the car will do "400 laps in one charge." Somehow I doubt those are hot laps.
For reference, here's Clarkson's review of the donor car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeXr50LNJfM&feature=player_embedded
dpeilow
09-18-2009, 05:05 PM
"Asbo Orange" has entered the national vocabulary for that shade now, thanks to that review.
The Focus hatch has always been good to drive. When they first came out, I had a couple of normal ones as rental cars and was extremely impressed with the handling.
I was talking to Lisa from Ford at the show today (I thought she was the usual motor show "hostess" at first, but judging by her depth of knowledge on the whole subject I'm guessing is an engineer on the program - that'll teach me to assume). Anyway, apparently the car will definitely go on sale in the US in 2011. They want to get the range up to 100 miles from the current 75, though. But she said there was no guarantee that it will go on sale in Europe. Strange that they are testing them in London, then.
johnr
09-18-2009, 11:31 PM
Snapshot from the first ep:
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2061/snapshot20090918232153.jpg
More snapshots (rather than taking up too much space here, I've posted them as thumbnails - click to enlarge):
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9643/snapshot20090918232306.th.jpg (http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9643/snapshot20090918232306.jpg) http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3804/snapshot20090918232729.th.jpg (http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3804/snapshot20090918232729.jpg) http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/296/snapshot20090918231909.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/296/snapshot20090918231909.jpg)
Brent
09-18-2009, 11:46 PM
I'm not impressed with this segment of the show. The track is lame, a cartoon, along the lines of a fairground go-kart course. For that matter, the track even includes cartoons -- cutouts of Al Gore and Ed Begley to drive around -- along with silly string and ping pong balls. Leno took the idea of the Top Gear track and "stupid-ed" it up.
stopcrazypp
09-19-2009, 12:32 AM
Leno's comments on the segment and car:
m08ogBYwo1s
It was lame as all get of but I will defended it on two counts.
Of course anything that is pro EV is a good thing, and two, Jay loves cars and this is something that he wanted. I'm sure every lame thing about was done as a condition that it would happen at all. If Jay was dead, he'd be rolling over in his grave.
This thing would actually be cool if it were a Tesla at a proper track but I have to believe it is "pay for play" and Ford is paying the Jay Leno Show nicely for the privilege.
Seriously - a fake track out back the studio in a car that is front wheel drive is not going to make for any exciting driving, although it may indeed be funny.
Here's the Drew Barrymore clip on hulu:
Hulu - The Jay Leno Show: Drew Races (http://www.hulu.com/watch/96582/the-jay-leno-show-drew-races#s-p1-st-i1)
efusco
09-20-2009, 10:23 AM
Any press is good press. The track is a bit of a joke, yes. But the car is cool and the emphesis that EVs exist and work is what people will, one way or another, take away.
This helps reinforce the EV message like the new strings of indoor EV Gokart tracks. Anything to further EV=Fast.
Note the immediately following the segment they went to a Ford Electric Hybrid commercial. It might even have been a :60.
"Asbo Orange" has entered the national vocabulary for that shade now, thanks to that [Clarkson] review.
For the non Brits, ASBO = Anti-Social Behaviour Order - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Social_Behaviour_Order)
Jay Leno Brings EVs Into America’s Living Room | Autopia | Wired.com (http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/09/leno_green_car_challenge/)
“We wanted to show that electric cars can be fun and something you can race,” Leno said. “In America, electric cars have the same cachet as golf carts (http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/09/volvo-ev/). To see an electric car skidding around a track, I think it has the scope to change people’s perceptions of eco cars.”
...
... Leno was adamant that the feature, slated to run an average of twice weekly, support and promote American automotive engineering and ingenuity.
“I wanted an American manufacturer, and the only one with anything ready-to-go and viable was Ford,” Leno said. “GM is like a government company now. It’s a little tricky to get anything done.” ...
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/autopia/2009/09/leno_green_challenge_04.jpg
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/autopia/2009/09/leno_green_challenge_05.jpg
The car blogs are generally negative:
VIDEO: Drew Barrymore In Jay Leno's Reasonably-Priced Electric Ford Focus "Race Car" - Jay Leno - Jalopnik (http://jalopnik.com/5363387/video-drew-barrymore-in-jay-lenos-reasonably+priced-electric-ford-focus-race-car?skyline=true&s=i)
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/09/Jay-Leno-Ford-Focus.jpg
VIDEO: Drew Barrymore hits the Leno track in the Focus BEV — Autoblog Green (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/20/video-drew-barrymore-hits-the-leno-track-in-the-focus-bev/)
VIDEO: Drew Barrymore takes Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge — Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/20/video-drew-barrymore-takes-jay-lenos-green-car-challenge/3#comments)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/drewb_gcc_leno-copy.jpg
I liked "Lad's" ABG comment (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/20/video-drew-barrymore-hits-the-leno-track-in-the-focus-bev/#comments):
The difference is like comparing a major golf tournament to miniature golf.
I caught part of tonight's show and Jay said they'd be adding 3 seconds to Drew's time since she didn't actually follow the course.
Interesting.
Coupla Sports announcers tonight (tomorrow Thur is Rush (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/rush-limbaugh-vs-the-electric-car-on-lenos-green-car-challenge/)). One was 3 seconds slower than her and the other 6 seconds.
And why do I care?
dpeilow
09-24-2009, 12:56 AM
Anyone seen a video of this that doesn't have international rights restrictions?
johnr
09-24-2009, 08:11 AM
I recorded the first clip with Drew Barrymore - but it's a kinda large download (380MB 1920x1080i .ts file): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=79ECNKHT
Here's last night's:
Hulu - The Jay Leno Show: Bob & Al Race (http://www.hulu.com/watch/97640/the-jay-leno-show-bob-and-al-race#s-p1-st-i1)
(US only)
Rush Limbaugh on the track. Spoiler: He hits Al Gore... twice.
Hulu - The Jay Leno Show: Rush Races (http://www.hulu.com/watch/97976/the-jay-leno-show-rush-races#s-p2-st-i1)
Actually looks like a pretty good lap except for the stopping and backing up.
johnr
09-25-2009, 01:24 PM
This was hilarious, and seeing him get out of the car after driving an EV for the first time and exclaim how much he likes the electric car ... priceless!:biggrin:
This was hilarious, and seeing him get out of the car after driving an EV for the first time and exclaim how much he likes the electric car ... priceless!:biggrin:
Agreed but it was tempered if you caught his attempt at saying the car was not green before he got in.
I also like how the safety devices are falling by the wayside under the show's live format. Bob Costas could not get the five point harness on and the next guy blew it off. Rush then could not bend over to get his helmet on. What's next?
I also like how the safety devices are falling by the wayside under the show's live format. Bob Costas could not get the five point harness on and the next guy blew it off. Rush then could not bend over to get his helmet on. What's next?
I don't think Rush wanted to deal with the helmet because of his cochlear implant. The 5 point harness is total overkill for that track.
Transcript (http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_092509/content/01125106.guest.html) of Rush's appearance in Jay's show
LENO: Hey, hey. Here he comes, here he comes. Okay, the streamers. Ed Begley is going to jump out in front of him. You're not doing your score any help, Rush. Uh-oh, he's hitting it again. Oh! Come on! Oh, come on. Okay. Here we go. Let's see. Coming down --
RUSH: Nobody would believe this car is electric.
LENO: Let's see. All right, now. Hang on. Hop out. Let's see how you did.
RUSH: What a blast!
LENO: Now, first of all, do you like the electric car?
RUSH: I like the electric car!
LENO: Yes!
RUSH: I like the electric car.
LENO: He likes the electric car. Now, your time is -- you committed manslaughter. That adds about 45 minutes to your time. One minute, one, two, six, on seven --
Selected Transcript (http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_092509/content/01125108.guest.html) from Rush's next day radio on his appearance
But the most favorable aspect, the most commented upon aspect of my Leno appearance was when I ran over Algore, stopped, put it in reverse, and ran over him again. And when that happened, I wasn't saying a thing. (laughing) So there are all kinds of lessons to take. Leno was great. The staff was great. I got there two hours before, and you have to because of insurance, you have to for rehearsal in the electric car around the track, but they didn't tell me all the stuff that was going to happen, so, you know, here comes that pop up of Gore, and I thought, I'm just going to stop and go over it again, I don't care about setting a record here. In fact, my thought was I want to have the slowest time possible because I'm driving an electric car. And, you know, before I get in the car Leno says, "You can help save the environment." No, you will not save the environment driving one of these things. But they were great at the show, and it was a lot of fun.
No, I'm not going to buy an electric car. I did like it. It was fun to drive. The pickup is not quite what you would expect and when you change gears it takes a while, like a second-and-a-half for the gear engage. If you go into reverse, and then put it back into drive you have to wait a second-and-a-half before it actually clicks in and happens. But no big deal. Yeah, I liked it. I got to run over Algore twice in one! What's not to like about it? But also, how about the audience reaction? In fact, grab Jay Leno sound bite number one. This is the introduction and listen to the audience reaction.
Hulu - The Jay Leno Show: Rush Limbaugh Gets Prepped to Race (http://www.hulu.com/watch/98780/the-jay-leno-show-rush-limbaugh-gets-prepped-to-race)
Cool piece Doug, thanks.
Steve Corell was last night. I thought he was really fast.
Changing electric car's image one celeb at a time (http://www.nationalpost.com/cars/story.html?id=2083863)
The British car show Top Gear is one of my favourite shows. I had a lot of fun appearing on it this summer. Like every guest, I had to compete as the Star in the Reasonably Priced Car. That means trying to lap a track round an old airfield as fast as you can.
For my new show, modestly called The Jay Leno Show, we have what is a bit of an homage to Top Gear. It is called the Green Car Challenge...
Tim Allen has a couple good laps:
Hulu - The Jay Leno Show: Tim Allen Racing (http://www.hulu.com/watch/100642/the-jay-leno-show-tim-allen-racing)
Hulu - The Jay Leno Show: Green Car Challenge: Serena Williams (http://www.hulu.com/watch/103306/the-jay-leno-show-green-car-challenge-serena-williams)
Serena gets the best time so far.
shark2k
10-25-2009, 04:33 PM
Hulu - The Jay Leno Show: Green Car Challenge: Serena Williams (http://www.hulu.com/watch/103306/the-jay-leno-show-green-car-challenge-serena-williams)
Serena gets the best time so far.
What happened with Drew Barrymore's time? In the episode she did 54 seconds. In later episodes when they recap her time jumped up to 57 seconds because of 3 penalties, though she had no penalties when she went in her episode. Anybody know the reason? Her time was the best without those mysterious penalties.
-Shark2k
In a later episode Jay explained they were adding 3 seconds to Drew's time since she didn't really follow the course. For example, she drove straight through the chicane without making the proper turns. If they hadn't have done that, then everyone would just cheat and it would continue to be the joke it started out to be.
It's actually gotten a bit better as they've ditched the unnecessary safety gear and gotten more competitive folks behind the wheel. Still wish they had a better track, though.
.
shark2k
10-26-2009, 10:23 AM
Thanks Doug. After I posted I kind of thought how she drove the course might have had something to do with it.
-Shark2k
johnr
10-26-2009, 06:18 PM
They should have added in the penalty at the time, not several weeks later. One more reminder that this is a TV show, not a real race track. Although I'd be hard-pressed to find a race track quite like this. It's kinda akin to mini golf vs the PGA Tour.:tongue:
They added the three seconds on her time the very next time they were on the track.
Interesting they are breaking records almost every day in a row (hitting obstacles being the only variable).
Gotta hand it to Rush. He's getting great attention from his purposefully bad run.
efusco
03-04-2010, 01:27 PM
So, anyone got any idea what Ford's done with the EV now that the Jay leno show is no more? They showed the track on TV last night during the Tonight Show and had painted a giant Chelsea Handler picture across it.