The show's crew was forced to flee Argentina after they were pelted with stones by local people who were offended by the plate number which apparently referred to the Falklands War.
- October 4, 2014
AceShowbiz -
"Top Gear" has unintentionally caused a controversy during its filming in Argentina. Production of the British series was cut short after the show's crew angered local people with a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL, which local newspapers claimed was a reference to the Falklands War between the two countries in 1982.
Host Jeremy Clarkson and his team were forced to flee Argentina after local people pelted them with stones. Clarkson's Porsche and several other high-powered cars were reportedly abandoned at a police checkpoint on route to Chile after locals stoned them near the town of Tolhuin.
According to The Telegraph, a crew member told officers at the first checkpoint they reached after passing through Tolhuin, "We're leaving the cars, we don't want more problems. Burn them if you want but we're getting out of here." Argentine veterans of the war allegedly had given the show's crew an ultimatum to leave the country or "face the consequences."
An Argentinian technician hired for the shooting was reportedly injured after he got hit with a stone in the face.
A spokesman for the BBC told ITV, "We're pleased the team is safe and would like to thank all of those who have helped. As the executive producer has made clear, the number plate issue is a very unfortunate coincidence." "Top Gear" executive producer Andrew Wilman also said that rumor suggesting they picked the controversial plate on purpose was "completely untrue."
