Stunt driver and serial record breaker Terry Grant hit the headlines again this week after joining forces with Jaguar to set a new Guinness World Records title for Furthest barrel roll in a production vehicle, two years after they achieved the Largest loop the loop in a car.

We caught up with Terry at the launch of Jaguar’s new E-Pace to find out what goes into a stunt like this – which mirrors a classic scene from the James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun – and where he goes from here:

You’ve set so many Guinness World Records titles. Why is this one special?

Like many people all over the world, I’d seen the barrel roll in the James Bond film and loved it. It’s consistently voted the best car stunt ever, and I’ve always wanted to pull it off. It’s been an absolute roller-coaster.

Furthest barrel roll in a production vehicle header

I’ve been injured – I’m sitting here talking to you now with two broken ribs from earlier practice attempts - we’ve smashed cars up and there’s been many arguments among the team along the way, because it needed to be absolutely perfect.

How do you train for a stunt like this?

We’ve been building up to this for six months. The first step was to practice jumping into an air bag, to get used to spinning and the speed of it all. The first few jumps were like being thrown into a washing machine. And then slowly it started coming together.

The jump that you see in the film - I knew every detail of what was happening, at every point. I knew where I was, I could see the landing coming, and as I landed I accelerated the car.

Everything had to be absolutely spot on. One mile an hour too fast and the car would over-rotate and crash; one mile under – same thing. And jumping 50ft through the air while spinning – you’re not talking about a minor accident.

Tell us about life as a stunt driver.

I’ve always done crazy stunts. When I was a kid I wanted to be Evil Knievel - obviously that couldn’t happen. But I grew up doing stunts and it’s always been my life. I love doing live shows, and extreme stunts. 99% of the work I do is in front of an audience. I love the reaction you get. I also do a lot of film and TV work and it’s a job that takes me all over the world.

What was your first foray into the stunt world?

The first stunt I learned how to do, and the one that I’m probably best known for, is performing car donuts and climbing onto the roof of the car while it’s still spinning.

The first Guinness World records title I was ever awarded was for having three cars donut-ing at the same time. That was back in 2004.

What advice do you have for kids that dream of being stunt drivers?

If you really want to be a stunt driver, you can do it. In fact whatever you want in life, just go for it.  Do it properly, join a car club or go to a racetrack. Do it safely, that’s the biggest thing. Driving is dangerous so be careful, don’t do it on the streets, or anywhere with people about.

GWR adjudicator Pravin and stunt driver Terry Grant

Do you have any world record ambitions left?

Of course! I’ve still got three big crazy car stunts that I have in mind for new car launches. No, I can’t tell you any more than that! Lips are sealed. All I can say is that I hope to achieve some of these ambitions with Jaguar.

Over the years of working closely with Jaguar the team has become friends. Hopefully, we’ll go on as a team to achieve even more legendary stuff than we have already.