Inspiring
ONCE MORE FROM THE TOP
“We only got one shot,” says Jerry, when I caught up with him at the last-minute rehearsals, held in a secret location in West Sussex. “And there are some brain-aching challenges involved in this stunt – the brake temperature for the main wire that slows the car at the end of its descent can reach a heat of 370-degrees; the car drops at a rate of seven feet per second and, for the following action to take place without a hitch, the car needs to stop just seven feet off the ground. Then you have to factor in the variables, like the English weather, any unpredictable wind as
a result of tall buildings and ambient temperatures – remembering that cooler brakes on the winch cables react more aggressively than hotter ones. Technically this is a drop, but for me, it’s been a roller-coaster ride – a lot of sleepless nights and some more grey hair!”
Thankfully though, Jerry relies upon some experienced hands: not least his colleague Terri McTaggart, who carried the apt title of producer for the event.
“We all share the stress,” says Terri “because we only get one chance to get
it right. I’ve worked in big-budget movie productions where you go round and round ensuring the perfect take is in the can, but we don’t have that luxury. Yet that’s the excitement – one shot only!
“And though we use some of the best technical minds in the film business, the truth is that this entire stunt relies on a factor out of our control: when the final button is pressed, the car is simply powered by gravity!”
Amid the buzz of the final practice drops though, one character remained as cool and collected as new Insignia itself: Lee Whitmore, whose company Lee Lifting provided the massive crane and supporting hardware for the event, has seen many a stressful moment and kept his cool throughout. “In twenty years,
I’ve provided the crucial crane-work for James Bond, Indiana Jones, Superman and even David Blane,” he tells me.
And the secret for a show-stopper event?
“It’s all about safety and proper planning,” he says. “But when the star is as well behaved as new Insignia, the working day is a lot easier!”
See the making of the new Insignia's spectacular launch stunt at www.newinsignia.com (videos).
Discover more about the new Insignia at www.newinsignia.com or call 0845 600 1500.
