Ellen may be the fastest sailor around the world’s oceans after setting her world solo speed record on the> trimaran in February this year but what about on a road track? Watch this Sunday’s Top Gear programme at 8.00pm on BBC2 to find out.

Ellen was invited to drive a Suzuki Liana road car around the race track in Top Gear’s ‘Star In A Reasonably Priced Car’ special feature and in usual Ellen fashion she pulled out all the stops!

This Top Gear celebrity challenge sees celebrities from all walks of life race around the Top Gear track in the Suzuki Liana to see who can post the fastest time. The current record holder is stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr, with a time of 1 minute and 46.9 seconds.

Other celebrities who have taken on the Top Gear challenge include TV and radio presenter Chris Evans, music mogul Simon Cowell, actor Sir Michael Gambon and model Joddie Kidd.

BBC Two’s Top Gear programme is presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May and regularly has an audience of over six million viewers each week in the UK alone and an estimated 350 million viewers worldwide in over 90 countries. So don’t forget, tune in at 8.00pm this Sunday (4.12.05) on BBC2.  Repeated on Tuesday (6.12.05) BBC2 at 7pm. 

For more information about the programme go to  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear

The Top Gear programme will broadcast just one week in advance of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year that will be aired on BBC1 on Sunday, 11th December at 8.00pm hosted by Gary Linekar and Sue Barker. The shortlist of candidates will be decided beforehand and you can nominate a candidate until noon on 8th December by phoning 09011 12 13 14; texting 81111; or via the website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality

And if Ellen makes it through to the shortlist for her outstanding performance in setting a new world solo speed record, you will have to vote again by phone or text on the awards night. Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality for further information. Ellen will be attending the awards ceremony along with many of the UK’s top sporting stars.

Photo: DPPI / John Bandsilled / B&G