by Caleb Stento
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On Tuesday Feb. 21, Top Gear, the History Channel's hit show, will prominently feature landscape views around Ouray. The show's premise is that producers provide each cast member with a certain set of criteria and set amount of money to purchase a vehicle. Then, they all use their vehicles to compete in obscure racing challenges.
The challenges generally push the vehicles up to and beyond their limits. For example, a popular episode gave each of the crew $3000.00 to buy a used 4X4 truck sight unseen from the Internet. The caveat was that the truck had to have a minimum of 150,000 miles. Sporting their new rides, they then cut a path across Alaska completing risky challenges along the way, such as crossing raging rivers.
Whatever feats the cast will try to accomplish for the show filmed in Ouray are tightly guarded secrets. But, considering the locations of shooting — Last Dollar, Ophir and Engineer passes — the action is sure to be entertaining.
The original Top Gear show is a BBC brainchild and the History Channel now broadcasts a slightly adapted version tailored to the U.S. market. The cast of Top Gear is made up of Tanner Foust, a professional stunt driver, Adam Ferrara, a comedian and actor, and Rutledge Wood, a racing analyst.
At times alterations are made to vehicles in order to accomplish a specific challenge. Adding spinners and candy-striped paint jobs are not on the show's list of modifications. The mods tend to severely alter the vehicle to suit a purpose that is supremely unnatural for that specific vehicle.
Modifications performed for the show filmed in Ouray County were completed at Switzerland of America Jeep Tours. Owner Brandy Ross, who was unable to provide certain details so as not to give the show away, said, “It was a whirlwind. We had 12 hours to make significant modifications to the vehicles.”
Six local experts performed the work done on the vehicles. Also, many local volunteers gave their time to help with logistics for things like permits and land use. The community made a very good impression on the cast and crew. Ross said, “The crew’s comment was that ‘locals were extremely helpful and easy to work with’ and that we’re definitely on their radar now.”
There is potential for more filming in and around our community. “One of the associate producers is a Colorado native and really touted this area,” Ross said. Once cast and crew arrived, they fell in love. Although, where most visitors see beauty and picturesque landscapes, Top Gear saw all sorts of prime filming locations. For now, if you check out the show when it airs, you’ll surely be entertained and may see some very familiar scenery in the process.