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Lamont Johnson: Emmy-winning film and television director

An actor who turned director, Lamont Johnson won a reputation in the early 1970s for his finely nuanced, perceptive direction of some interesting projects.

Sport on TV: Fast cars, guns and moonshine. What more could a man want?

So they haven't selected the new Stig from the Stig Farm yet. Top Gear (BBC2, Tuesday) has yet to replace Ben Collins, who outed himself as the show's stormtrooper-lookalike boy racer in his autobiography – an act that was regarded as so abject by the BBC that it was as if Santa Claus had whipped off his fake beard to reveal that he had been Noel Edmonds all along (the clue was in the name).

British Touring Cars: Plato takes crown with double win

Jason Plato wrapped up the British Touring Cars Championship by winning yesterday's first two races at Brands Hatch.

The Week In Radio: Won over by the fast and furious life of Brian

There's a famous Monty Python sketch called Philosophers' Football, in which Greece, represented by Socrates, Archimedes and Plato take on Germany, with Hegel, Kant, Marx and Nietzsche. High culture meets low. It's brilliant. Anyway, I was reminded irresistibly of this when listening to the distinguished art critic Brian Sewell on his passion for stock-car racing. The BBC has a habit, let's call it Stephen Fry syndrome, whereby once they've found a presenter who can do something, they want them to do everything, witness Mark Lawson and Andrew Marr. Good at politics? Here's a history series. A doctor? Why not take on some wildlife, and archaeology while you're at it. Famous for fashion? What about a book programme. It's as though we're suffering some worldwide presenter shortage and all those bright young things emerging from media courses and YouTube simply needn't bother. It's a conundrum. Programme-makers complain that without a big name, their pitch won't get commissioned. Journalists need to prove their versatility. Older presenters cry ageism if they are sidelined. Yet there are times when stretching the talent is justified and Stock Car Sewell was one of them.

Stock Car Sewell, Radio 4<br/>Humph Celebration Concert, Radio 4

The prince of posh goes stock-car racing &ndash; and loves the colours

It's not what to wear if you want Schwarzenegger's job

Note to America's political class: if you are thinking about trying to court blue-collar voters, think twice before parading around in a Burberry coat that probably cost more than one of their family cars.

Piquet eyes move to NASCAR after F1scandal

Brazilian Nelson Piquet is eyeing a move to NASCAR's pickup truck racing series after his stint in Formula One was tainted by a race-fixing controversy with Renault.

Driving Like Crazy, By P J O'Rourke

Diatribes that don't find top gear

Giving women drivers a good name is child's play for Sarah

She's 15, she's fast and is making history in Ginetta Juniors

Everything you need to know about... Nascar

What is it?

The National Association for Stock Car Racing was born out of attempts in the 1920s and 1930s to set land speed records on Daytona Beach in Florida. Yesterday marked the start of the Daytona 500 which marks the beginning of Nascar's 60th season.

Nascar hits the skids

The sporting spiritual home of blue-collar America is running into trouble as both recession-hit car makers and spectators steer clear of the race tracks.

North Carolina: Home of the speed freaks

North Carolina seems a laid-back, gentle place &ndash; until you encounter the 167,000 people watching Nascar races. Rob Crossan jumps in for a 165mph trip around the circuit

Touring Cars: Menu lasts course to deny BMW second helpings

Switzerland's Alain Menu took race two to deny a BMW double at the World Touring Car Championship meeting at Brands Hatch yesterday.

Touring Cars: Priaulx out to impress in home race

Andy Priaulx will be going all out to give his fans something to cheer in the World Touring Car Championship's seventh round of the season, at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Teenage kicks: Twitter and the 'bling ring' gang

Lena Corner gets the inside story on this very post-modern scandal.

Moveable feasts: Festival grub goes gourmet

Meet the mobile foodie pioneers bringing Bloody Mary crumpets, craft ales and sustainable seafood to the masses.

'My own Diamond Jubilee': 60 years in same job

The Queen is part of an elite club which clocks in way past retirement age.
Joumana Haddad: 'Arab women have been brainwashed'

Joumana Haddad: 'Arab women have been brainwashed'

Haddad is a voice rarely heard in the Middle East – an unapologetic feminist who wants to challenge the way both Arab men and women think.

Food: Mark Hix knows his onions

Alliums are among the most versatile kitchen ingredients, says our chef.
Grotty no more: How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

Lanzarote has been quietly changing its fly-and-flop holiday image, discovers Andrew Eames.
Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

It's one of Europe's smallest countries, but it packs in spectacular landscapes and glittering beach resorts.
48 Hours In: Verona

48 Hours In: Verona

Summer opera returns to the Roman arena, says Charles Hebbert.
Ten things we’re looking out for at E3 2012

Ten things to look out for at E3 2012

From Wii U to The Last of Us we consider this year's show
Come dine (online) with me

Come dine (online) with me

Move over TV chefs, hello YouTube stars
Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

'Independent' poll finds less that half want him to take throne as ministers moan of interference
Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Andrew Buncombe reports from Kaharpara on a bloody war between rustlers and border guards
Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Media tycoon's company pays £1m to cancel his order for a £36m private jet after drop in profits
How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

The artist tells Clifford Coonan how he used Skype to escape confinement in Beijing
Nature, nurture... or neither? The new twist in an age-old argument

Nature, nurture... or neither?

The new twist in an age-old argument