How did you first get into cars?

VBH: My father used to be in the British Karting team so it was natural that I got a kart too, except it was powered by an engine from a lawn mower. But it gave me the appetite to go faster and at 12 I started racing, then by 17 I had become a racing instructor at Silverstone. Fun though it was I needed to begin a ‘serious’ career and took my first job as editorial assistant at a magazine called Car Mechanics. The magazine sent me on an editorial course at the popular Max Power magazine and I was subsequently offered a promotion as Staff Writer for the magazine and then road tester for Auto Express and What Car? This ultimately led to a phone call from Top Gear saying they were after the female appeal.

Have blokes ever been threatened by your driving prowess?

VBH: In racing no-one cares because once you put on that helmet no-one can tell and actually I think the guys respected me, off the race track that is! In my early career in journalism a few questioned how much I could possibly know. But I grew up on a farm and was surrounded by engines of all different sizes. As soon as I could reach the pedals I was charging around on the tractors.

There is an element of danger in your job. Do you ever get scared?

VBH: When you are racing, it’s on a circuit all travelling in the same direction with ambulances and doctors on site which makes for a much safer environment than the open road. That said, when Richard [Hammond] had his big crash, I related closely with his ordeal and ever since I have been very conscious on making sure all the safety procedures are in place because when filming, it is ultimately your life and therefore your responsibility.

Throughout your career what experience stands out from the rest?

VBH: I still get a buzz thinking about it – during Top Gear Tiff Needle was testing a new Aston Martin and we wanted to pit the car against a Jaguar but there was nothing similar in the market. So we chose a Jaguar jet fighter instead! I flew co-pilot against Tiff driving the Aston in a straight drag race and the g-force was unbelievable and the adrenaline was awesome. It was like nothing I have done before.

If you could wipe a car from existence which would it be?

VBH: The Rover MGF that was out in the early 90’s is a two-seater sports car that is hideous to drive. Its success relied on carrying the MG badge but the car actually ended up diluting the brand. It’s a nasty looking car and the Mazda MX5 was much better

And what is your favourite car ever manufactured?

VBH: There is still no car that has been built better than the Lamborghini Diablo GT. Only 60 were built and I was lucky enough to drive one. I had to give it my total attention and was on the limit with the car testing all my driving skills. I have not driven a car since that has needed such respect.

What issues do you have with the motoring trade?

VBH: Technologically speaking the development of the cars is very forward thinking but this detracts from the simple enjoyment of driving. Today it’s standard for cars to come with as many buttons as the control panel of a space shuttle but this makes drivers lazy. For example, traction control will never teach people how to handle a corner or deal with a skid. Politically speaking, I live in London and am fed up with traffic lights not being synchronized with each other. There is a conspiracy theory that lights are timed accordingly to stop motorists passing through two sets of green lights at any one time.

What did you make of the 2007 F1 season?

VBH: Lewis Hamilton and all the politics that surrounded the season kept everyone hooked and talking about it, even when they were not racing. In previous seasons it’s only been covered every other weekend so that has been a massive boost to the sport. But ultimately the result should start and finish on the track and whilst I am a massive fan of Lewis its nice that Kimi Raikkonen for Ferrari won. I even predicted that at the beginning of the year!

What are you driving at the moment?

VBH: I love my Golf MKII GTI. It was built in 1989 with fantastic vision and in all those years the concept has changed very little. I recently took it for a service and the mechanic asked why I was driving such an old and rubbish car. I could not believe how an ‘expert’ could be detrimental about such a well respected and amazing car! I also have a Honda S2000 and my motor bike, the Ducati Monster. When I ride it’s just me, the road and the bike – a feeling you don’t get with cars.

This is an interview with VBH exclusive to asrecommended.