1960's AC Cobra (V Morfield/Bigstock.com)

Have Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May been meeting with Goodwood officials over a possible new show set at the famous estate?

According to Goodwood, no. But that hasn't stopped the rumour mill from hitting top speed, after the former Top gear trio were snapped at a pub in Lavant on Goodwood property.

Rumours abound that Clarkson and company met up at the Goodwood track in order to discuss a new television show at the circuit.

The speculation was sparked by Chris Evans on the BBC Radio Two Breakfast Show yesterday, who revealed the trio had visited Goodwood.

Later an image of the three former presenters was uploaded to Twitter by the Earl of March pub in Lavant, further fuelling rumours.

“Excited that the guys from [Top Gear] came in for dinner last night”, read the accompanying tweet.

Speaking to the Telegraph, a spokesman for the West Sussex estate said:  “No meeting took place with anyone from Goodwood and they have not been filming or meeting ‘in secret’ at the circuit today.”

“We have no knowledge of what Chris Evans was referring to when he let the ‘news’ out this morning. If they had a meeting between themselves, it could have been about anything. It’s not something anyone from Goodwood was privy to, though.”

Goodwood released a further statement later on, underlining their claim that there was no meeting involving the former BBC presenters and the estate.

Meanwhile, BBC2 has been forging ahead with plans to revive Top Gear. The hit show is one of the corporation's biggest money-spinners, generating around £42m each year.