PETROL heads are in for some full throttle, white knuckle thrills and spills after Top Gear visited one of the homes of motor racing.

The BBC’s motoring show came to Worcestershire’s historic hill climb, Shelsley Walsh, for the first time to film for the new series with the episode due to be aired this weekend. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond (Hamster) and James May (Captain Slow) were in fine form with the wisecracks flowing every bit as fast as the cars.

The presenters had never been to the historic venue before despite its impressive pedigree and were very excited about tackling the hill as part of one the challenges said Mark Constanduros, the Commercial Manager for the Midland Automobile Club who operate the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb.

He has to remain tight-lipped about exactly what the presenters got up to on the show which is aired this Sunday, February 2 at 8pm on BBC2 but has promised it will have all the excitement viewers have come to expect from the show.

The filming took place in October when a fleet of vehicles descend on the hill climb for a day's filming. Mr Constanduros said: “It was a great opportunity for us to have the BBC and Top Gear here.

“We all had a great day with them and it was fascinating to watch them film and see the relationship that the three presenters have.

“It was also a challenge to keep the filming secret, we had known they were coming for several weeks and managed to keep it quiet until the day, when the marshals who had volunteered to look after a car club were delighted to know who was actually coming.”

Mr Constanduros said having Top Gear visit Shelsley Walsh was something they had wanted to achieve for years. He said: "Shelsley Walsh has a tremendous history. It was great to be able to tell the presenters about it. They were mucking around, having a great time. They spar off each other brilliantly."

Shelsley Walsh is the oldest motor sport venue in continuous use in the world. First used in 1905, it is older than Indianapolis, Le Mans or Monza. Brooklands has been and gone, but Shelsley Walsh is still here, as old as the sport but as modern as today.