3:46 James gin 7:00 Was top gear the best job 11:20 James' favorite adventure with the trio 13:45 How much of what's seen on screen is planned vs spontaneous 15:25 Earthquake/tremor 18:13 Ad ends 21:33 How Top gear became The Grand Tour 25:05 Did BBC restrict the trio too much? 26:54 - "Staff accommodation" 🤣 28:12 How to create content - about anything! 31:15 Ad ends 36:03 James burn against Clarkson 36:35 James' collectibles 40:35 James on the cybertruck 43:00 James' cars 47:25 More on James' gin 53:53 The best kind of pub? 57:16 2 mistakes to avoid when opening/buying a pub 1:04:15 If James only could choose to own 2 cars, which would they be?
@@NaRdo_Slay27Is it because Elon wiped the Twitter offices clean of radical propaganda goons, of which is wife may have been one? Letting the other side of politics speak was a challenge on them. Imagine being just one voice in dozens of political parties, someone worthy of being named after democracy itself...
James May's cars of the people is probably my favorite show of all time. It was just so soothing yet informative to watch. I could listen to May talk all day and not be bored.
I could listen to James May all day and listened to this podcast for the first time because of that. Maybe let the guest a) speak and b) finish responding to a question. Almost bailed out
James is just such a treat, you could just listen to him ramble on for hours. As we have, and as we will continue to do. I'll grab a bottle if I ever see one around, but even more excited for the next Your Man In!
The Top Gear specials inspired many of mine and my wife’s holidays over the years, Vietnam, various parts of Africa, South America, and in 2026 we will be driving our Defender from London to Cape Town and back again. Thank you James and Top Gear.
I think S6E2 Topgear - budget coupe's Jag xjv12, 635 and a Starion was the starting point for abandoning each other on breakdowns (although the long journey format wasn't really established yet). One of my favourite episodes was the budget supercar challenge, which i think cemented the idea of doing journeys with ropey cars and also an example where none of the cars managed to finish the journey...
James is an absolute legend. I was in Tokyo on March 11, 2011. The buildings shook a lot more that the earthquake you experienced. The worst part was the aftershocks which continued for months.
James May a national treasure and good all round egg…..you could definitely sit in pub, pint of bitter on the go with the fire on and some bar snacks and talk about pretty much anything.
Always a great interview when James is involved. I thought I was the only one who feel out of love in watching motorsport, bike etc racing. Lost the love about 5 years ago. Now, I'm involved in creating a bucket list of car museums to visit, and there are so many, in 2024 & 2025. Really looking to forward this.
I've been waiting for this one--well done Matt+Zack! All I can say is, one down two to go 😉 From non Top Gear shows; shoutout to James and Oz Clarke Wine adventures, loved those too!
Yup, I’m the nerd sitting here going, “The other car that didn’t make it was the blue Ford Focus RS in A Massive Hunt that Hammond had converted using Mattracks!”
This was awesome. As someone who downloaded the torrents every week off of final gear, top gear nurtured my budding car enthusiasm and introduced me, and millions of others, to so many exotic and beautiful locations around the world. It’s a big reason I’m such an avid fan of traveling in general now as an adult. It’s sad to think the end of an era is coming with the grand tour wrapping this year, but the memories will carry on as I still have all of my top gear files saved on an external SSD, even in fabulous 480p. The magic those three captured was the ability to transcend audiences, even beyond car enthusiasts, contributes greatly to such an enduring legacy. Clarksons face melting while driving the Ariel atom, the indestructible Toyota Hilux segment are my two earliest memories, which lead me to the torrent sites. Epic specials like my all time favorite, Vietnam and some close and equally compelling episodes like the the 4x4 (or in James case 4x2/3) across Bolivia, the Botswana episode, amphibious cars, the Veyron vs the Cessna, too many to mention. Top gear is the reason I traveled to Iceland and witnessed the northern lights. They’re the reason I have so many other places I’ve yet to, but intend on, crossing off my list. Great show.
This is precisely what I wanted to see. James May as a regular guy having a couple drinks. Gin and Tonic is my drink of choice and Fever Tree is my go-to tonic. So James Gin is on my list to try!
Fun fact: I live in Norway, where all the special advantages of owning an electric car are being removed. So people have started to buy hydrogen cars instead, because they still have those advantages.
As someone also living in Norway I can say that is straight up BS. Yes the different kind of subsidies are slowly winding down (there still is a lot though) but no one is buying hydrogen cars.
Hammond has surprised me a few times with his mechanical abilities on his videos on Drive-tribe, but James just has that natural mechanical mind you need to really understand how the systems on a car work which is a huge benefit into knowing how / why they can fail and how to fix them.
I feel like Matt might've been interjecting a bit too aggressively, in many instances I would've preferred him to allow the man to speak, but I don't blame him, in the presence of Mr. May I probably would've also been very giddy.
The greatest thing about the 3 stooges is growing up as a kid/teenager watching them and then into my 20s and 30s, it always felt like the episodes were made just for me. They were there to make me laugh when I was sad, or there to make me feel better when I was sick. And I'm sure most other people feel the same way.
First time seeing your podcast. Try not to talk over/step on your guest when he is talking. Also, why can’t we see the other guy who chimes in? That said, love James May.
He beat Gordon Ramsay in a cooking contest, he maxed out Veyron and Chiron, drove everywhere except Russia and the Philippines, has a pub and a gin brand...what a lad!
Love this episode, truly one of the most eloquent people to hear talk. Guess, I'll have to give the gin a try too-- I'm a sucker for a dirty gin martini.
Just watched the Donut video, apparently filmed at 08:00. This is now noon. Don't know how many others filmed in between, but James now clearly well tiddly, and I'm here for it 😂
I know that Clarkson, May and Hammond have said that they're getting a little too old and tired to keep doing big adventures. But if they just sat around and had a podcast shooting the shit every week it would be one of the biggest podcasts in the world.
Shout out to both James's projection abilities and whomever worked on this episode in post because I can see that he's at least 30cm from his shure sm7b but he sounds perfectly clear and without excessive room noise
Thanks for having us 🍸
Thank YOU James for being on here, this was one of the best pods in a while! 🙌
Cheers🍻
The best!
This was a delight!! Thanks for going on the podcast!!
Thanks for answering my question on electrified cars ok TG/TGT too. Cheers fella, Matt.
James May was a great guest! Hopefully this gets Matt and Zach in the door to have the other two on the show!!
I agree, I'll start crossing my fingers now. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later because I need my fingers for other things.
Clarkson would never bother coming on a show
Something tells me Clarkson would come on if TST went to him.
I could see Richard doing it more so than Jeremy.
@@shingoose6197 yeah quite possibly
I think many of us were stoked for this one.
Captain Slow on TST is the crossover I was waiting for.
I now look forward to Matt and Zack reviewing Jame's pub next UK trip...
And a trip to the smallest cog!
Yes!
Man, I love when James describes what its like to drive that Alpine. His phrasing and everything was just a great reminder of why he is who he is.
Earthquakes and James May. This episode is truly biblical.
3:46 James gin
7:00 Was top gear the best job
11:20 James' favorite adventure with the trio
13:45 How much of what's seen on screen is planned vs spontaneous
15:25 Earthquake/tremor
18:13 Ad ends
21:33 How Top gear became The Grand Tour
25:05 Did BBC restrict the trio too much?
26:54 - "Staff accommodation" 🤣
28:12 How to create content - about anything!
31:15 Ad ends
36:03 James burn against Clarkson
36:35 James' collectibles
40:35 James on the cybertruck
43:00 James' cars
47:25 More on James' gin
53:53 The best kind of pub?
57:16 2 mistakes to avoid when opening/buying a pub
1:04:15 If James only could choose to own 2 cars, which would they be?
1:12:00 Patreon questions
@@stefan-stocksmadesimple5241James on Cybertruck shoulda been Matt can’t help himself shitting on Tesla at any time 🤣🤣🤣
@@NaRdo_Slay27Is it because Elon wiped the Twitter offices clean of radical propaganda goons, of which is wife may have been one? Letting the other side of politics speak was a challenge on them. Imagine being just one voice in dozens of political parties, someone worthy of being named after democracy itself...
Thanks
Thanks mate
I saw James May on the IG and immediately dropped everything to watch this podcast, what a legend
James May's cars of the people is probably my favorite show of all time. It was just so soothing yet informative to watch. I could listen to May talk all day and not be bored.
With the Espada, I have a feeling James' "I know a bloke whose got one" is a certain Harry Metcalfe.
First Dario, now Captain Slow. Fantastic lineup, Matt!
So nice to have two Zack Klapman's on this weeks show!
Thanks for the shout out to the Philippines! We have lots of good driving roads up north. It would've been great for the TG or GT crew to film here.
Of the 7, no wait, 8 BILLION people on this planet now, James May is seriously a treasure to humanity. Thanks for this great episode!!
I could listen to James May all day and listened to this podcast for the first time because of that. Maybe let the guest a) speak and b) finish responding to a question. Almost bailed out
43 mins in and it’s driving me insane
James is just such a treat, you could just listen to him ramble on for hours. As we have, and as we will continue to do.
I'll grab a bottle if I ever see one around, but even more excited for the next Your Man In!
"That was an earthquake!" Somehow that feels so appropriate for interviewing a Top Gear/TGT host 😂
"well... anyway"
Going from Tavarish with The Stig to Matt with James May has been a very Top Gear heavy day.
Ben gets around to be honest, he is a youtuber after all. James? After Drivetribe/Grand Tour, he sort of dipped to get on with his Gin.
The Top Gear specials inspired many of mine and my wife’s holidays over the years, Vietnam, various parts of Africa, South America, and in 2026 we will be driving our Defender from London to Cape Town and back again. Thank you James and Top Gear.
James is the most grounded celebrity I’ve ever known to exist
Colin Furze is often in the ground.
I think S6E2 Topgear - budget coupe's Jag xjv12, 635 and a Starion was the starting point for abandoning each other on breakdowns (although the long journey format wasn't really established yet). One of my favourite episodes was the budget supercar challenge, which i think cemented the idea of doing journeys with ropey cars and also an example where none of the cars managed to finish the journey...
Does Hammond's Ford focus with tracks in France's treasure hunt special in Grand tour count too? Correct me please
Bourdain and old Top Gear truly a staple of broadcast TV Travel shows 🙏
James is an absolute legend. I was in Tokyo on March 11, 2011. The buildings shook a lot more that the earthquake you experienced. The worst part was the aftershocks which continued for months.
James May a national treasure and good all round egg…..you could definitely sit in pub, pint of bitter on the go with the fire on and some bar snacks and talk about pretty much anything.
I could listen to James May forever
what a legend. one of my favorite people of all time.
This is the best and most substantive interview with James I've ever seen (and I've watched a lot)
How can you not click when there's basically 90 minutes of barely interrupted James May. He was as good a guest as I hoped he would be. Thanks guys.
I’m sorry. Barely interrupted? Matt did nothing but cut James off as I’m writing his he just did it again.
James will always be our collective excentric rambling uncle with a very refined and well motivated taste in cars.
What a get! Awesome to see Mr. May on your show!
Somehow James May casually swearing is both startling and soothing. Much like that gin I bet.
This was an absolute treat. Thanks for making this happen.
Always a great interview when James is involved. I thought I was the only one who feel out of love in watching motorsport, bike etc racing. Lost the love about 5 years ago. Now, I'm involved in creating a bucket list of car museums to visit, and there are so many, in 2024 & 2025. Really looking to forward this.
May is the sort of guy you'd love as a neighbor...
So true.
We must protect James May at all costs.
So we need to ban him from driving Evo's or in tunnels, right?
Two of my inspirations to do what I do with my channel! This is gonna be good 🔥 Blessings from Puerto Rico
I've been waiting for this one--well done Matt+Zack! All I can say is, one down two to go 😉
From non Top Gear shows; shoutout to James and Oz Clarke Wine adventures, loved those too!
Yup, I’m the nerd sitting here going, “The other car that didn’t make it was the blue Ford Focus RS in A Massive Hunt that Hammond had converted using Mattracks!”
I’ll out nerd you - James is forgetting about his very own Ford Capri that didn’t make it to the snow race in the Alps
"You disappoint me Ramsay" and "Are you any good at driving?" Two of May's most savage quotes.
Literally watching and listening to every part of James May’s US gin tour lol
The Gravitas of James Mays Presence made the earth shake in fear. Astounding episode.
Great podcast.May cracks me up...need to get all three of them together if you could...that would be epic
This was awesome. As someone who downloaded the torrents every week off of final gear, top gear nurtured my budding car enthusiasm and introduced me, and millions of others, to so many exotic and beautiful locations around the world. It’s a big reason I’m such an avid fan of traveling in general now as an adult. It’s sad to think the end of an era is coming with the grand tour wrapping this year, but the memories will carry on as I still have all of my top gear files saved on an external SSD, even in fabulous 480p. The magic those three captured was the ability to transcend audiences, even beyond car enthusiasts, contributes greatly to such an enduring legacy. Clarksons face melting while driving the Ariel atom, the indestructible Toyota Hilux segment are my two earliest memories, which lead me to the torrent sites. Epic specials like my all time favorite, Vietnam and some close and equally compelling episodes like the the 4x4 (or in James case 4x2/3) across Bolivia, the Botswana episode, amphibious cars, the Veyron vs the Cessna, too many to mention. Top gear is the reason I traveled to Iceland and witnessed the northern lights. They’re the reason I have so many other places I’ve yet to, but intend on, crossing off my list. Great show.
Dont worry matt we love you in the early days of Superspeeders, it is perhaps some of the best youtube content out there ❤
This is precisely what I wanted to see. James May as a regular guy having a couple drinks. Gin and Tonic is my drink of choice and Fever Tree is my go-to tonic. So James Gin is on my list to try!
He was always my favorite of the Top Gear trio. Re: the last question, I feel like the obvious James May edition would be for a Dacia Sandero.
Good news!
Earthquake 15:25
Hey Matt in general for your guest episodes I wish you let the guest talk a little more
Fun fact: I live in Norway, where all the special advantages of owning an electric car are being removed. So people have started to buy hydrogen cars instead, because they still have those advantages.
As someone also living in Norway I can say that is straight up BS. Yes the different kind of subsidies are slowly winding down (there still is a lot though) but no one is buying hydrogen cars.
@@Noi5ee you should read either Dagbladet or Budstikka and see what the mayor of Asker or many of the inhabitants of Asker are doing.
fermented fish
Congrats guys, this must have been surreal for you guys after all these years!
I never expected Captain slow to be on this podcast, but it's great to see him on here.
Farah, the type of guy to forget to Cheers his "buddy" Zach when his new buddy shows up. Not at all surprised.
Mister slowly!!! What a legend!
Hammond has surprised me a few times with his mechanical abilities on his videos on Drive-tribe, but James just has that natural mechanical mind you need to really understand how the systems on a car work which is a huge benefit into knowing how / why they can fail and how to fix them.
Anyone remember the days of Top Gear seasons 2-21 being on netflix? Couldnt count how many times i watched those growing up
I must've watched a thousand hours of it. To the point my then girlfriend, now wife, got hooked 😂
Fanatics episode. I always knew James would be a great guest but Matt and Zack did a great job with the questions and keeping the conversation going.
I feel like Matt might've been interjecting a bit too aggressively, in many instances I would've preferred him to allow the man to speak, but I don't blame him, in the presence of Mr. May I probably would've also been very giddy.
Fatt just interjected as usual.
Matt i ahve followed along FOREVER. Dude! I feel liek WE have made it,, CAPTI SLOW.. WE DID IT,,THATS HOW IT FEELS TO GROW OLD ALONG WITH TST.
Man I’ve been waiting for this one since you posted on IG. Starting it now! Thanks for the countless hours of entertainment.
I can watch James May all day long. Always entertaining.
Mr. May was great he needs to come back every few years.
One of the best from TST in a verrry long time
I hope he comes back. Could listen to 5 hours of James
Slowing tire podcast. Excellent interview and much appreciation for the coordination and time from both involved
What a great podcast! Thanks to the TST team for making that possible! James May, always lovely to listen to him. One of your best podcasts!
I foresee a “James May Explores the Philippines” - An Amazon Original 🇵🇭🤣
James in a Jeepney or Tricycle (not the took tooks that have been imported)!
@jagtan13 and he might try Jollibee (if he ever does)
Man this podcast is getting better and better.
Matt needs to stop interrupting people when they are speaking.
fr felt like every time they BEGAN to go down a conversation route he changes topic, is it always like this?
it was seriously irritating
The greatest thing about the 3 stooges is growing up as a kid/teenager watching them and then into my 20s and 30s, it always felt like the episodes were made just for me. They were there to make me laugh when I was sad, or there to make me feel better when I was sick. And I'm sure most other people feel the same way.
james is a national treasure. the everymans everyman.
First time seeing your podcast. Try not to talk over/step on your guest when he is talking. Also, why can’t we see the other guy who chimes in? That said, love James May.
😂😂
I'm with you on the chevelle, James. I used to be obsessed with that car.
I absolutely loved this podcast. James is fantastic.
Bbc comment and James casually using middle finger to clear his eye was epic😂 25:17
20:59 The Ford Focus from the Madagascar special
A special edition Dacia Sandero.... gotta stay on brand, lol!
Such a great episode, its nice that James is exactly the guy we all think he is
Great episode! I was bummed I didn't go to the gin meet thing. This made up for it.
2:45 I'm seeing double here- 4 Zack Klapmans
Yep. Wrong button.
@@TheSmokingTirePodcast Shit happens, no criticism, I just wanted to do a Simpsons gag
Great show, really amazing interview work from both of you
Goated reference
Unexpected, but welcomed!
He beat Gordon Ramsay in a cooking contest, he maxed out Veyron and Chiron, drove everywhere except Russia and the Philippines, has a pub and a gin brand...what a lad!
He drove in Russia
They did a race in St. Petersburg.
Bought a custom spec Håg Capisco chair like yours, and I can’t believe they aren’t more popular. By far the best “desk” chair out on the market.
We all love James but i like Matt Farah as he comes across as a genuine bloke
Love this episode, truly one of the most eloquent people to hear talk. Guess, I'll have to give the gin a try too-- I'm a sucker for a dirty gin martini.
There are automotive legends, and then there is James May.
Came for May, stayed for May.
Just watched the Donut video, apparently filmed at 08:00. This is now noon. Don't know how many others filmed in between, but James now clearly well tiddly, and I'm here for it 😂
Great episode. Old school vs new. Great insights into early TG too. Thanks!
Great episode! Enjoyed every moment of it. Would be totally awesome if you could bring the other two on at some point.
Thanks James! Great show Matt and Zach.
The Top Gear southern states US special is one of the reasons I moved to the US!
Absolutely one of my favorite episodes!!!
James got a really great interview out of Matt.
BRO NO WAYYYYY -- STARTING OFF TUESDAY ON A GOOD NOTE.
This was the absolute best!
Brilliant interview
I know that Clarkson, May and Hammond have said that they're getting a little too old and tired to keep doing big adventures. But if they just sat around and had a podcast shooting the shit every week it would be one of the biggest podcasts in the world.
Clarkson is to busy with his farm hammonds to busy with the cog and mays well urm doing other people's podcasts
May: "Land Cruiser didn't make it to the end"
Farah: "Shocker"
?
how does that make sense?
Shout out to both James's projection abilities and whomever worked on this episode in post because I can see that he's at least 30cm from his shure sm7b but he sounds perfectly clear and without excessive room noise
The entire wall behind him is covered with soft texture, so that helps.
The Unsmoking Tire for one week.
I know how time works obviously but it’s still sad to see Mr. May getting older