Driven to peak performance

Top Gear co-presenter James May. Photo / Herald on Sunday

What do you enjoy most about performing in front of such a large crowd live?

I like the love that comes from the people.

Has anything ever gone horribly wrong during a show?

I don't know about horribly wrong because no one has been killed. The monster's arm fell off, the monster caught fire. That's actually why it's stimulating because there is no guarantee that it will work, it's what makes it exciting.

If you could choose a piece of music that represents the tour, what would it be?

C sharp minor fugue from the second book of Bach Voltemporiatus Clavea.

What do you most enjoy about travelling with the tour?

I like going to interesting places and meeting interesting people. No. Getting there, really. I don't believe that to travel is better than to arrive, the whole point of travelling is to get there. I like to get there and be feeling the love.

Is there any rivalry between you and the local co-presenters?

I'm not a rivalrous person.

What car would you steal from the show?

I suppose the Veyron, because I could sell it for quite a lot. Wouldn't keep it though.

Do you have a most memorable moment from last year's tour?

I think that driving out on the stage at Dublin and realising how much smaller it was to the ones that we were used to. It's like all of a sudden moving house into a smaller one. It made it exciting because you had to think about it a little bit.

If you could put any car from history in the show, what would it be?

Karl Benz' motor vag and the very first car, so we could see why we should be so grateful.

What nations have the rowdiest crowds?

Dublin and Oz. Oz is noisy and Dublin is enthusiastic.

What city would you like to visit on the next tour?

Bucharest I think, because we have just been there and they are obviously quite keen on us.

Who out of the group is the worst travel buddy and why?

They are both pretty terrible, very demanding and equally bad.

What do you do to prepare before you go on stage?

Go for a wee wee and check that my flies are done up.

Do you know what the Stig does to prepare before you go on stage?

Eats some resistors I believe.

Are there any stories you can share with us about the Stig on last year's tour?

He had a small crash at one point but I don't think that anybody noticed.

What are you most looking forward to doing in Auckland?

Never been to NZ and I've heard great things so I'm very excited.

If you had to pick a car to drive across NZ what would it be?

Bentley Continental R.

James, we all know about Jeremy's love of NZ. Has he given any pointers for surviving here?

I'm not allergic to bees or anything. What Jeremy said was to avoid wasps. It's very difficult to avoid wasps ...

We hear that there is going to be a stunt school this year to teach fans how to do driving stunts. Do you think that this is a good idea?

Yes.

We are about to have a race for Lord Mayor of the new Auckland Super City. Any suggestions as to how Aucklanders can best make the choice between the main candidates?

I'd vote for the one who is best.

James May

James May is best known as co-presenter of Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and The Stig. He also writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph's motoring section.

On Top Gear, his nickname is Captain Slow, due to his careful driving style. He has, however, driven exceptionally fast. He became one of the very few in the world to have taken a Bugatti Veyron to its top speed of 407.90 km/h. May is also well known for being fired from Autocar magazine for inputting a secret message in one of their issues.

May and Clarkson - together with an Icelandic support crew - were the first ever people to reach the magnetic North Pole in an automobile (a modified Toyota Hilux). The expedition was broadcast in a Top Gear special on BBC Two in 2007. Clarkson described May as being "the first person to go to the North Pole who didn't want to be there".