.
Top Gear Australia
Top Gear Australia is an Australian motoring television series based on the BBC series Top Gear.
The show premiered on SBS One on 29 September 2008 at 7:30pm AEST,<ref>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref> with its first series consisting of 8 episodes.<ref name=colosimo>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref> A second series was announced following the release of ratings figures for the premiere and favourable comments from advertisers,<ref name="TGAdust"/> and began airing from 11 May 2009. After acquiring the rights to broadcast the UK version in 2009, the Nine Network started airing their own version of Top Gear Australia in September 2010.<ref name='nine-network-tg'>{{#if: Top Gear Moves to Nine
|{{#if:
| {{#if:
| [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}]]
| {{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if:
| {{#if: | , {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/nine/Top-Gear-moves-to-Nine-231009.html
| Top Gear Moves to Nine
| Top Gear Moves to Nine
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if:
| , {{{work}}}}}{{#if: EBroadcast Australia
| , EBroadcast Australia
}}{{#if: 2009-10-23
| , 2009-10-23
}}{{#if:
| , pp. {{{pages}}}
|{{#if:
| , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 2009-11-15
| . Retrieved on 2009-11-15
}}.{{#if:
| (in )
}}{{ #if:
| “{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref>
Top Gear Australia is also the name of a licensed version of the British Top Gear magazine.
Presenters
Prior to filming SBS made an open casting call for presenters, resulting in over 4000 applications.<ref>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref> The original hosts chosen for Top Gear Australia were cartoonist and motoring columnist Warren Brown, MotoGP commentator Charlie Cox, and race driver Steve Pizzati.
Marketing prior to the first episode stated that the presenters would be joined by The Stig's "Australian cousin",<ref>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref> but in the first episode the driver was introduced as just "The Stig". Steve Pizzati suggested that The Stig have an "Australian" name, such as "Stiggo", but the other presenters refused. The series 2 opener clarified that Top Gear Australia's Stig is not intended to be the same Stig from the UK series.
On 19 December 2008, Charlie Cox announced he was leaving the programme as he felt he was unable to offer enough time to the show. SBS subsequently announced that trumpeter James Morrison would be his replacement, joining Warren and Steve for series two.<ref>AUSmotive.com - Top Gear Australia loses Cox and blows Morrison’s trumpet</ref> Morrison had previously appeared as a guest in the sixth episode.
For the third series, early reports claimed that former Australian cricketer Shane Warne would take over the hosting of the show alongside original Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, although the BBC ultimately ruled out Clarkson's involvement in the Australian version.<ref name='warne-clarkson-tg'>{{#if: Top Gear Australia Shane Warne & Jeremy Clarkson on Nine
|{{#if:
| {{#if:
| [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}]]
| {{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if:
| {{#if: | , {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.caradvice.com.au/45034/top-gear-australia-shane-warne-jeremy-clarkson-on-nine/
| Top Gear Australia Shane Warne & Jeremy Clarkson on Nine
| Top Gear Australia Shane Warne & Jeremy Clarkson on Nine
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if:
| , {{{work}}}}}{{#if: CARAdvice.com.au
| , CARAdvice.com.au
}}{{#if: 2009-10-21
| , 2009-10-21
}}{{#if:
| , pp. {{{pages}}}
|{{#if:
| , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 2009-11-15
| . Retrieved on 2009-11-15
}}.{{#if:
| (in )
}}{{ #if:
| “{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> On 20 June 2010, it was announced that actor and comedian Shane Jacobson and Top Gear Australia magazine editor Ewen Page would join a returning Steve Pizzati to present the show for the Nine Network,<ref name="hosts">{{#if: Top Gear Australia’s new hosts
|{{#if:
| {{#if:
| [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}]]
| {{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if:
| {{#if: | , {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/06/20/top-gear-australias-new-hosts/
| Top Gear Australia’s new hosts
| Top Gear Australia’s new hosts
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if: The Spy Report
| , The Spy Report}}{{#if: Media Spy
| , Media Spy
}}{{#if: 20 June 2010
| , 20 June 2010
}}{{#if:
| , pp. {{{pages}}}
|{{#if:
| , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 20 June 2010
| . Retrieved on 20 June 2010
}}.{{#if:
| (in )
}}{{ #if:
| “{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> which premiered on September 28, 2010 with a 90-minute The Ashes special.<ref name="ReturningTopGearAus">{{#if: Returning: Top Gear Australia
|{{#if:
| {{#if:
| [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}]]
| {{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if:
| {{#if: | , {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/09/returning-top-gear-australia-2.html
| Returning: Top Gear Australia
| Returning: Top Gear Australia
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if: David Knox
| , David Knox}}{{#if: TV-Tonight.com.au
| , TV-Tonight.com.au
}}{{#if: September 16, 2010
| , September 16, 2010
}}{{#if:
| , pp. {{{pages}}}
|{{#if:
| , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 17 September 2010
| . Retrieved on 17 September 2010
}}.{{#if:
| (in )
}}{{ #if:
| “{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref><ref name="ShaneJacobsonintogear">{{#if: Shane Jacobson gets into Gear
|{{#if:
| {{#if:
| [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}]]
| {{#if:
| {{{last}}}{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }}
| {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if:
| {{#if: | , {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/09/shane-jacobson-gets-into-gear.html
| Shane Jacobson gets into Gear
| Shane Jacobson gets into Gear
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if: David Knox
| , David Knox}}{{#if: TV-Tonight.com.au
| , TV-Tonight.com.au
}}{{#if: September 27, 2010
| , September 27, 2010
}}{{#if:
| , pp. {{{pages}}}
|{{#if:
| , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 27 September 2010
| . Retrieved on 27 September 2010
}}.{{#if:
| (in )
}}{{ #if:
| “{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref>
Production
Mirroring the UK series, the studio segments were recorded at Bankstown Airport in Sydney. An exact copy of the UK studio at Dunsfold Park was constructed in a hangar. The power laps and "Star in a Bog Standard Car" were recorded at Camden Airport with parts of the runways and taxiways used as a test track.
Top Gear Australia uses the same theme music as the UK series, a version of The Allman Brothers Band's "Jessica".
Segments
Top Gear Australia features segments that mirror those seen on the BBC series, including build challenges and test drives. A significant difference is that speeds and power are quoted in metric units and prices are quoted in Australian dollars.
Power Lap
A test track around Camden Airport is used for power laps. The track includes nine corners lined up in an anti-clockwise direction, the first corner is The Question Mark followed by Clarkson Corner then The Crest and Turn 4 which is followed by the Main Straight before coming to a series of Chicanes then 06 Corner (named after the direction of the runway) then the Short left Hander and the Bus Stop Entry and Exit followed by the finish line.
At the start of Season 3, Top Gear Australia revealed a new test track. Still situated at Camden Airport, the new course built upon the old one by adding a new section, thus looping into a figure of eight. It contains twelve corners, a total length of 2.3 km and moves the Start/Finish line from between the Bus Stop and The Question Mark to the end of the Back Straight, ahead of the Bus Stop. The direction of the course is now clockwise, turning the main runway into the first straight. The first corner leads into a Hammerhead-like corner called The Blowout, followed by another straight which crest a small hill into a couple of Left Handers, turns 3 and 4. Exiting turn 4 leads back to the main runway and turn 5, Brocky's Corner. The track then crosses over The Blowout into a right then left hander called The Flipper. The next turn is the Question Mark hairpin from the old track. Finally, after a short straight, the course reaches the signature Bus Stop which is then followed by two right hand corners (including the old 06 Corner) back into the Start/Finish.
Lap times
|
|
|
* The Nissan GT-R was listed as 180 km/h speed limited for its run in Episode 1 of Series 1, it was subsequently run without the limiter in Episode 7 of Series 2. ** Pizzati placed it at the top of the board despite being in the bottom three. *** In keeping with the theme of the car, the Ford Model T's Power Lap was presented in a black-and-white silent film format. Star In A Bog Standard CarThe Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment is mirrored with the name "Star in a Bog Standard Car". It is identical in execution. The car used is a Proton Satria Neo. Lap Times
* Morrison was removed from the board after he became a host. Race Drivers
Season 3: Ford Falcon Ute
What Were They Thinking?The presenters discuss "stupid" ideas in motoring history and put pictures of them on a board. The board was later destroyed in the first episode of the second season when the shark cage Mini Moke was dropped on top of it.
Old car commercialsEvery episode since series 2, Top Gear Australia shows an old car commercial.
StuntsAping its BBC counterpart, the show includes features where the hosts undertake various stunts some of which may antagonise members of the public. In October 2008 it was reported that Pizzati and Brown caused a traffic jam in Toorak, Victoria when they drove a tractor through the Melbourne suburb — a reference to the colloquial expression "Toorak Tractor", Australian slang for luxury SUVs.<ref>Top Gear Australia causes traffic jam on Toorak Road Herald Sun, 2 October 2008</ref> The stunt featured in episode 5 of series 1, which aired on 27 October 2008. ReceptionThe first episode debuted with an audience of 933,000 viewers,<ref>{{#if: TEN’s tears for Idol |
{{#if: Knox | {{#if: | [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if: Knox | , David }} | {{{author}}}
}}]] |
{{#if: Knox | , David }} | {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if: Knox
|
, {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/09/tens-tears-for-idol.html
|
TEN’s tears for Idol | TEN’s tears for Idol
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if:
|
, {{{work}}}}}{{#if: TV Tonight | , TV Tonight
}}{{#if: 2008-09-30
|
, 2008-09-30
}}{{#if:
|
, pp. {{{pages}}} | {{#if: | , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 2008-09-30
|
. Retrieved on 2008-09-30
}}.{{#if:
|
(in )
}}{{ #if:
|
“{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> SBS's highest ever ratings for a locally produced television programme. Top Gear Australia came third in its time slot and beat an elimination episode of Australian Idol.<ref name="TGAdust">{{#if: Idol left in Top Gear's dust
|
{{#if: Field | {{#if: | [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if: Field | , Katherine }} | {{{author}}}
}}]] |
{{#if: Field | , Katherine }} | {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if: Field
|
, {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24425336-12377,00.html
|
Idol left in Top Gear's dust | Idol left in Top Gear's dust
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if:
|
, {{{work}}}}}{{#if: The Australian | , The Australian
}}{{#if: 2008-09-30
|
, 2008-09-30
}}{{#if:
|
, pp. {{{pages}}} | {{#if: | , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 2008-09-30
|
. Retrieved on 2008-09-30
}}.{{#if:
|
(in )
}}{{ #if:
|
“{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> The figure was slightly higher than any season premiere of the BBC version aired on SBS, up until that date.<ref name="TGAdust"/> However, subsequent episodes have failed to match this figure, and the first season has averaged around 650,000 viewers an episode. In comparison, viewing figures for the previous three Top Gear UK episodes shown in the same timeslot averaged around 903,000 viewers, though during this period Top Gear Australia still remained the highest rating program on SBS.<ref name=tvtratings>TV Tonight: Ratings Archive</ref> For the second series SBS attempted to address some of the criticism brought up against the first series.<ref>TV Tonight: Car Tuning</ref> The second series of the show debuted with 689,000 viewers,<ref>Top Gear Australia takes a second test-drive</ref> averaging 576,500 viewers across the series against the high rating MasterChef Australia.<ref name=tvtratings/>. Ratings dropped throughout the second series, leading to speculation that SBS will not buy a third series. Jeremy Clarkson has commented on the Australian version, saying "We're loving it, even though your funny accents make you hard to understand".<ref name="eNews20081020">Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref> FutureFrom 2010, the Nine Network will broadcast Top Gear Australia and the UK version after winning the rights from SBS.<ref name='nine-network-tg'>{{#if: Top Gear Moves to Nine |
{{#if: | {{#if: | [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }} | {{{author}}}
}}]] |
{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }} | {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if:
|
, {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/nine/Top-Gear-moves-to-Nine-231009.html
|
Top Gear Moves to Nine | Top Gear Moves to Nine
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if:
|
, {{{work}}}}}{{#if: EBroadcast Australia | , EBroadcast Australia
}}{{#if: 2009-10-23
|
, 2009-10-23
}}{{#if:
|
, pp. {{{pages}}} | {{#if: | , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 2009-11-15
|
. Retrieved on 2009-11-15
}}.{{#if:
|
(in )
}}{{ #if:
|
“{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> There were reports that former Australian cricketer Shane Warne would take over the hosting of the show along with Jeremy Clarkson. Neither have been confirmed, however the BBC has denied any involvement of Clarkson in the Australian version.<ref name='warne-clarkson-tg'>{{#if: Top Gear Australia Shane Warne & Jeremy Clarkson on Nine
|
{{#if: | {{#if: | [[{{{authorlink}}}|{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }} | {{{author}}}
}}]] |
{{#if: | , {{{first}}} }} | {{{author}}}
}}
}}
}}{{#if:
|
, {{{coauthors}}} }}.
}}{{#if: |“|"}}{{#if: http://www.caradvice.com.au/45034/top-gear-australia-shane-warne-jeremy-clarkson-on-nine/
|
Top Gear Australia Shane Warne & Jeremy Clarkson on Nine | Top Gear Australia Shane Warne & Jeremy Clarkson on Nine
}}{{#if: |”|"}}{{#if: | ({{{format}}})
}}{{#if:
|
, {{{work}}}}}{{#if: CARAdvice.com.au | , CARAdvice.com.au
}}{{#if: 2009-10-21
|
, 2009-10-21
}}{{#if:
|
, pp. {{{pages}}} | {{#if: | , p. {{{page}}}
}}
}}{{#if: 2009-11-15
|
. Retrieved on 2009-11-15
}}.{{#if:
|
(in )
}}{{ #if:
|
“{{{quote}}}”
}}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> List of Top Gear Australia episodes
|
| Series # | Episode # | Title | Reviews | Challenge | Guest | Original airdate |
|---|
| 2 | 1 | Series 02, Episode 01 | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | Race from Federation Square to Portsea - Murcielago LP640 vs. WaveRunner | Mark Skaife |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | Series 02, Episode 02 | Walkinshaw HSV Clubsport (Supercharged) | Home made electric cars - MightyBoy vs. Kingswood | Ian Moss |
|---|
| 2 | 3 | Series 02, Episode 03 | Maserati GranTurismo S | Ute conversion - Prelude vs. Tarago | Anh Do |
|---|
| 2 | 4 | Series 02, Episode 04 | Audi RS6 vs. HSV Clubsport R8 Sportwagon Kia Soul |
Steve teaches James' dad how to drift Ultimate Drifting - Ice Cream Van, Stretch Limo, Truck |
Liesel Jones |
|---|
| 2 | 5 | Series 02, Episode 05 | Elfin T5 vs. Elfin MS8 Streamliner | Armoured limousines - Combi Van vs. Statesman Series II vs. Mini Clubman | H.G. Nelson |
|---|
| 2 | 6 | Series 02, Episode 06 | Pontiac G8 GXP Nissan 370Z |
Lawn mowers - Ferris IS 5100Z vs. Toyota Hilux Steve challenges James to play a musical tune using only car parts (and a partially obscured trumpet mouthpiece) |
Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller |
|---|
| 2 | 7 | Series 02, Episode 07 | Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser vs Nissan Patrol Sexiest cars |
Smart car and Fiat 500 on the Oodnadatta Track | Gary Sweet |
|---|
| 2 | 8 | Series 02, Episode 08 | Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, Lexus LS 600h L vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Porsche Cayenne Diesel vs. horse | Gyton Grantley |
|---|
| Series # | Episode # | Title | Reviews | Challenge | Guest | Original airdate |
|---|
| 3 | 0 | Series 03, Special | None | Top Gear Australia: Ashes Special | Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James May |
|---|
| 3 | 1 | Series 03, Episode 01 | Morgan Aero SuperSport | Outback Road Trip in South Australia to Lake Eyre. | Lisa McCune, Shane Warne |
|---|
| 3 | 2 | Series 03, Episode 02 | Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 | "Race To The Sky" hillclimb in New Zealand; Can you drive a V8 Supercar through public road? | Michael Clarke |
|---|
Magazine
An Australian version of Top Gear magazine titled Top Gear Australia (published by Park Publishing, a partnership between ACP Magazines and the BBC)<ref>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref> was launched in June 2008 and features an amalgam of original Australian articles together with licensed content from the British and other international versions of the magazine.
External links
Template:Top Gear Australia Template:Top Gear
