According to Jeremy Clarkson, more people in India tune into Top Gear than the entire population of Britain. And there alone viewing figures top four million. But for petrolheads what can be better than sitting at home watching the team - Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, on the box?
Being there with them as the programme is being recorded is the answer.
I joined around 300 others at the studio - a giant, soulless aircraft hangar - south of London for the recording of the final show of the latest series. Usually the audience is between 200-250 people, but as it was the last of the series more turned out. Among them was athlete Sally Gunnell and members of a newly-formed rock band.
Just standing in the car park was enough to gauge the audience this show attracts. I'd guess the majority were under 35, predominately male and all absolutely passionate about cars. They turned up in souped-up Golfs, turbo-charged specials, sporty MX5s, a sprinkling of Subarus, and even a giant American gas guzzler complete with competition numbers on its doors.
Among them was a handful of older people and a few women on their own - proving that an interest in high octane motoring isn't solely a male preserve. For Liz Fitzgerald - an enthusiastic Porsche 911 owner - this was her second time on the set. Another woman has attended every show in this last series.
And there was a few in the audience with more money than I could dream about. One - who looked more like a biker than a driver of swish cars - announced nonchalantly to James May that he'd already got his name down for an Aston Martin DB9 to add to his garage of high-performance autos. I looked at him in a completely different light after that, and forgave him his undone boots and untidy hair.
So what does this willing audience subject themselves to? Four hours of standing on a stone cold floor, abuse from Clarkson and endless boring retakes. To be honest the retakes were much fewer than I expected and I was impressed with the ability of the three presenters to remember their lines.
"We don't actually have a script," explained James May. "We rehearse before, know where we are supposed to stand but don't know exactly what we are going to say until the moment arrives." I think he was being modest, especially as despite retakes they are able to reiterate their lines almost verbatim.
There are gaps in between takes as the area is prepared and cameras take up position. And this gives time for the ever-present make up artist to tame May's wayward hair - his lipstick, I thought, was unnaturally red - and add dabs of powder to perspiring foreheads.
The atmosphere is relaxed and jovial, behaviour laddish, and the audience is encouraged to become actively involved. The banter between the three presenters - especially Clarkson - and the gallery is non-stop. It's often amusing, at other times downright rude, but either way the adoring audience lap it up.
They're even asked for their opinions and I pitied the poor guy who claimed the programme featuring Lamborghini was rubbish and was asked by a menacing Clarkson to explain why.
Cars are positioned in the four corners of this makeshift studio with an area specially set aside for the indestructible Toyota pick-up. It's freezing in winter, until the lights have been operating for a while and generate some heat, and suffocating in summer when first aiders have their hands full with swooning onlookers. A raised platform with comfy seats takes centre stage, and dotted about are Top Gear backdrops and boards displaying pics of cool cars and other topics of discussion. And they are the only seats in the entire studio. When not the focus of attention, punters grab the chance to sit on its edge.
The action moves from corner to corner and the audience is reminded that they must remain in the same place throughout the retakes for the purpose of continuity - a real challenge with 200-plus amateurs to control. They have to laugh at the same jokes and are encouraged to be even more hearty in their mirth the second time round and they clap and cheer to order just for recording purposes.
At the half way point there is a break of around 15 minutes. Refreshments are served and the presenters and guest star create a party atmosphere by mingling with the audience, talking cars and signing autographs. While most want Clarkson's signature, it's a mainly female fan base which clamours for Richard Hammond's.
Then it's back to dodging the cables strewn across the floor, avoiding bumping into the crane-mounted camera and moving swiftly out of the way of the mobile cameras with their entourage. Finally Clarkson was recorded reading the programme's attractions for the intro and the farewell until the next series, and it was all over.
Nobody complained about the hardship of standing from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., but all agreed they'd had a great time. And they even had time to spare a thought for the Top Gear team who had been working all day both on the track and in the studio. "It's a very long day but great fun," said Hammond, who didn't look in the least bit tired. There is no doubt that this is a bumper afternoon's entertainment which is both fascinating and, better still, free. Since the new series of Top Gear there have been 29 shows - with two pilots, one of which was screened with David Ginola
The next series is due to start in early May, although official dates have not yet been confirmed
Audience organisers, The Applause Store, try to insist that every male wanting to attend must bring a female with him. Under-18s are not allowed into the studio, due to insurance purposes
For tickets to attend, contact The Applause Store via the Top Gear website on www.topgear.com. If you are flying from Ireland, be prepared to hire a car as the studio is off the beaten track and there is no public transport
Dress is casual, and remember to wear comfortable shoes