Top Gear Australia Official launch
September 9, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
I’m not sure if Warren is that comfortable on a racetrack, he’s more at home behind the wheel of a 1920 Fire Engine or his army green WW11 Jeep. I’m also told he has an armoured vehicle at home. He’s a lovely bloke but a little odd if you ask me.
In 2005 he put together a race from Peking to Paris driving a range of vehicles, which had to be 100 years old. His next wacky journey is retracing the trip made by the famous Australian explorer, Francis Birtles, in a 1925 Bean car, from London to Melbourne.
With a name like Pizzati, you would think Steve would be a Ferrari nut. But no, he’s an advanced driving instructor and race driver for Porsche Cars Australia among other pursuits.
He wanted to fly jets and almost made it if it wasn’t for his eyesight. He seems to like anything that goes fast and lists his dream car as a Viper Green 911 GT3 RS.
There was some action outside as the CLS 63 AMG and Lotus Elise SC were warming up for a few tyre-smoking hot laps on the make shift track adjoining the building.
Just as I was about to bolt off over to the Merc for a lap with Steve, I heard my name called for a ride in the chopper. This was a good chance to get an idea of the size of the Top Gear course and length of the runway.
Touching back down I could see the “Stig” was giving the AMG the hiding of its life – there was so much tyre smoke, you couldn’t see anything for a good five minutes.
Stretch Hummers weren’t really meant to go around corners, they categorically aren’t supposed to be anywhere near a racetrack.
The “Stig” obviously didn’t see what all the fuss was about and was about to see air with two wheels. That’s if he didn’t end up rolling the vehicle.
And to top off the day as we were leaving the compound, was a Black GT40 parked outside!
This is a first rate team that just might pull off the most successful motoring program Australia has ever produced.
Well, here we go lads, but lose the hummers FCS!
Top Secret Location …..I was just listening to 2ue and the journalist just said he was at Camden Airport for the launch….not top secret any more.
Also lets start …..who is the stig???
Obviously you havent been watching TG UK on SBS or you would understand what or who Stig is……….
Should have said who is the Australian Stig?
I look forward to the local Top Gear. It will be tough to measure up to Clarkson (I do mean up), Hammond & May. I would like to see the Stig put some 4wds/SUVs around the test track. Further, lets see local ‘celebrities’ try to park these things. Points for style as well as time.
Thanks for the update, I realise this was a launch event deisgned to generate positive press, but…
not a Ford or Holden in sight. ;)
“not a Ford or Holden in sight.”
Except for the GT40
Hope you enjoyed it Anthony, seems like they threw a decent party to launch the series.
I am glad there was no Holden or Ford in sight. Us Aussies need to extend our car Vocabulary to somthing other than whats found on the front covers of Wheels every issue.
Why would any of you be applauding not a Ford or Holden in sight?
If i wanted to see Ferrari’s and Zonda’s i would watch top gear UK.
This is Australia, we want Australian cars.
Tor Gear UK has gone uphill with money spent on the program and downhill with believable, original & entertaining content.
The program sold out around 2 years ago when BBC spotted it’s popularity as the most watched car show in the world.
To say there has been a good chemistry on stage for Jeremy, Hammond and May is true, but has now become stupidly overacted and so dumbed down it insults your intelligence to watch it anymore so I skip “the news” now.
Whats more disappointing is the way they review the cars now, before you used to get so much about the car however now it is filled with terrible over scored tracks, flippant camera angles, pictures of eagles and image filters of oozing paint with very little time dedicated to sounds of the car etc.
We also seem to be hearing much more about Clarkson thinks it’s the best car, but then he pulls out the predictable bombshell ‘oh noes!’
In all seriousness if Top Gear had have kept up with the brilliant programming like when they drove the F430, Carrera GT, Mclaren SLR, Dodge Viper SRT10, etc I wouldn’t have said it’s run it’s course but sadly that seems to be the case now.
Top Gear Australia is to late to the show.
I am still pissed of that they had a comp. to name the team.
Total wank and waste of time, the guys where already selected and employed before the comp. finsihed.
TOTAL CROC!
Cheers
F-0
I hope they test a Goggomobil Dart it could make a comeback ;)
laurie
Most of the Holdens come from Korea and the Fords from Germany, whats left is owned by America and built in Australia. How many Austalian cars can you think of?
I have to agree with Ra – the boys on Top Gear UK have become parodies of themselves to some extent – Jeremy is all power, James is the typical eccentric englishman, and Richard is about technique, but it is now so scripted that you know what is going to happen before it starts, and there is a fair amount of cringe factor involved. You only need to watch the old series to see how far their characters have evolved. That said, I still have fun with it, and watch it regardless. It is also more accessable to the rest of the family, not really being a car show anymore, but rather a show that just happens to have cars in it. I hope the Oz guys dont try to mimic the UK hosts – that’d just be embarrassing.
I will watch it of course, being a car nut but I dont see this being anywhere near as good as T.G. UK. SBS just doesn’t have the budget.
Also politically, speeding in this country is a crime similar to drowning puppies so the content will be “dumbed down” No thrashing a HSV 427 between Adelaide and Darwin for example.. Meh.
@acilk, “Except for the GT40″ … haha, yeah, except for that one, but you knew what I meant. :p
Ill let them borrow my FG F6310 for free just want to se ethat thing boogy around a track!
Well that already shows they have no taste in cars. Hummer Limousines? It would have been much classier to cram everybody into the back seats of DB9s.
I’d have to agree with RA. The best UK Topgear was during seasons 6-8. I still watch until the latest season simply because of the cars, but the trio has gone way to eccentric.
I hope the Australian Topgear would reproduce the fun and feature “The News” that are more relevant to Aus. (such as transport minister of victoria…)
My guess is Neil Crompton is the Stig
i am looking forward to it. i think it will have a great show. the only prob is i will be away on the holidays the first day it will be on.
I’ll keep an open mind, but amidst the bells and whistles, are these guys actualy funny? Can they totally pay out a car or will it offend the sponsors? In short, will they have a poorly-hidden agenda like most aussie motoring journos?
Nah can’t be Neal, he’s contracted to channel 7,plus ths tig looks a tad to short, my guess would be John Bowe,
I can’t believe people are arguing about what sort of cars they should feature.
The answer is “Anything and everything”, including FPV, HSV and Elfin, but pretty much all manner of exotica as well, not to mention silly stunts.
We want Top Gear Australia not Wheels Australia on TV.
Good call Tom – that’s what I want to watch otherwise I can always watch these guys driving the Veyron and the Lambos.
@Tom, I agree with you, it’s just if people aren’t telling me these guys aren’t funny, for example, then they’re telling me they’ll bow down to sponsors, or that all we’ll see is HSVs and FPVs.
I’m actually willing to put my trust in Andy Wilman’s guidance and actually give the Australian crew a chance before I start telling everyone all the reasons why TG Australia is crap.
Apart from that, I actually think they will work.
Ivan and Ra
Have to disagree about TG UK, I say each series has/is progressively getting better and more entertaining. For such a long running series they are able to continually improve and come up with new material.
Looking forward to TGA, as others have said hopfully they arnt afraid of anything including greatly exceeding the speed limit.
everyone was saying this show was gonna be a flop but this article shows just how wrong the public could be.
also, that cls is the goods! can’t wait for the review on it
This Blog shows how this Aussie version of Top Gear isn’t going to be a rip off of “The Car Show” on channel 9, so it should be worth watching. Can’t wait! :mrgreen:
I dont understand why people are complaining about Top Gear UK.. in my opinion is it by far the best show on tv even if it has slightly become more entertainment orientated rather than a documentary with humor. I for one beleive the last seasons have a good balance of factual info and rediculous stunts etc.. if that is anything to go by then Top Gear Aus should be a hit. i have very high expectations and i’d recken most top gear fans would for TGA
Do SBS do the internet broadcast thing a la BBC iplayer?
Loved to see more TG.
Yep I agree, the latest TG UK has lost its originality a bit, Clarksons become a premadonna in the presence of may and hamster. I still watch it religiously though.
I dont see the need for Top Gear down under. What’s wrong with In Pit Lane & Cruzin & the other shows on Channel 31?
Yes I like 7 watch regularly TG UK, but we have our own home grown shows & celebs, let’s give em a budget & build up the C31 shows instead of importing euro trash! (cars, presenters & content) If SBS are willing to sponsor another networks shows, why not sponsor some Aussie grown content?!
The Salesman Says:
September 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Most of the Holdens come from Korea and the Fords from Germany, whats left is owned by America and built in Australia. How many Austalian cars can you think of?
um rnt u forgeting the xr6t and f6 r aussie made with local built engines so i thnk u gotta find ur facts before comenting bout that
Well Im glad im not the only one that has the same thoughts on TopGearUK.
Don’t get me wrong I adore the show and have been an fan since season 5 – However now I am just in it for the cars, but the segements just don’t have the same feel anymore.
I think they can remain original and still attract large numbers to the show, they don’t need to jazz it up with flashing lights and out of focus camera filters.
One of the standout segments on a car tv show has to be on Fifth Gear (I know this is not TopGear) & the McLaren F1. If you haven’t seen it – WATCH IT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkfvQvc9ipI
And just for the record I cannot stand Tiff Needell’s voice. OMG.
Put corks on the Aus Stigs helmet. We will then know the difference between the Aus Stig and the Pom Stig………….
Let’s bring on some stig vs stig competitions!
was really let down with top gear australia last night. I thought it seemed like too much of a lame improvisation of top gear uk. I hope that future shows do not try to copy so much of the already quite worn out content and instead try come up with some of their own ideas to improve and grow away from top gear uk. here’s an idea, how bout you loose the boring old guy with the moe and replace him with Jennifer Hawkins or some other young charismatic hot chick- think it would definately bring the ratings up.
After all the hype, this was excruciating to watch, like a 10 car pile up on the freeway, you could see what was about to happen from the first 30 seconds! I understand the show is a version of the UK model, but did we need the exact same set and the same segments, done in a forced, matey, bogus sort of way? I thought this wasn’t supposed to parody the UK TG, but that’s exactly how it came out!
Channel 31 must be quaking in their boots… shows made for a pizza and a can of coke showed more love for cars than this over-priced snorefest. I’m still not even sure if the presenters love cars? And the description of the new Lambo was idiotic (’awesome’ and ’sensational’ come to mind from the chipmunk) to the point of making either of the Footy Shows look like high culture. How about buying these guys a thesaurus? Or modulating your voice so that you dont assault us with a cockatoo impersonation. I gotta give it to the Pom, he was actually quite good!
Methinks they could have actually made an aussie statement at the start o the series… where was the 427 HSV? Oh next week! Too late… Overall this reminded me of that orrible Car Show presented by that nong who used to play for Hawthorn and Glenn Ridge… reciting the stats on Newton Meters of Torque and HP figures does not make an expert. Sorry SBS, but this is a turnkey tuekey! And did anyone else think Vince Colosimo was a little too animated???
In the words of Darryn Hinch, “shame Australia shame.” After watching Top Gear Australia last night Freehand TV had the opportuninty to make a uniquely “Aussie” version of Top Gear. Instead the Australian public received a pathetic (at best) version of the UK show which is far better. When they (Freehand TV) advertised for the 3 positions of hosts back in January 08 they specifically said they are not after Clarkson, Hammo and May clones. Well if those twits we got last night aren’t like a bunch of children with light sabres “PRETENDING” to be like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker then I’m not here!!! At times I actually felt ill in my stomach. Their one liners came crashing down in flames, the same set, the same look, the same editing, style as the UK show only with a few moronic hosts who can’t hold their eyeline to camera, can’t interview, can’t talk, NOTHING!!!. The main guy aka Clarkson clone aka Whispering Spack wiTh his asthmatic style presenting needs to go back to where ever he came from and stay there!!! Give yourself an upper cut Freehand TV. Useless!!!!
rubbish! Put on a movie like Bullet or Ronan or watch some old Top Gear shows.
Top Gear Australia … hmmm simple.
There are those who DO and there are those who DON’T.
Top Gear Australia is the later. Please leave it to the professionals. The award winning Top Gear from the UK has set a benchmark that just can’t possibly be topped. Watching the Australian version was like watching a little boy copy his Dad as he shaves.
What a total disappointment Top Gear Australia is! From the scam that was the ‘open audition’ process to the mimicry of the sets and caricature of the UK hosts, TG Oz is a total waste of time and money. Australians should be insulted that SBS and Freehand have not made good use of the enormous TV talent that we have in this country. The camera work was childish, the editing unimaginative, the humour forced and the hosts unprofessional and poorly directed. Treat viewers like idiots and we walk! I’M WALKING… and fast!