Who should host Top Gear Australia

Since we can only think of Rove McManus as a replacement for the hamster, we thought we’d ask you who you would like to see host Top Gear Australia.

Click add answer to nominate your candidate or pick from the list below. You can add more than one candidate.

Who should host Top Gear Australia
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223 Responses to “Who should host Top Gear Australia”

  1. BOB Says:

    The Stig should be Mark Skaife as hes pasted his prime in v8 supercars. and the presenter should be someone from caradvice or wheels or motor someone who knows atleast something about cars

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  2. Me. Says:

    Dick Johnson any day, Rove should be for other shows alltogeter.

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  3. WCE Says:

    there has to be At least one v8 supercar driver on this show. this is a big win for sbs getting top gear its good that its not going to the dicks at channel 7. they ruined v8s with all the ads. Craig Lowndes would be great but hes to good to let go from racing. i hope this show is atleast half as good as the bbc version

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  4. Foggy Says:

    I think Rove would be a ridiculous choice. He wouldn’t know a car from a bus.

    DJ doesn’t quite have the charisma required for the job.

    I honestly think that Andy Paschalidis would provide the best combination of clownmanship required for the role.

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  5. BOB Says:

    imagine aust. Stig Vs UK stig

    that would be good to see.

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  6. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Any of the Chasers boys would be good if they don’t have to have car knowledge!

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  7. Jason Says:

    The closest Australian Hamster that comes to mind is Grant Denyer. Short, can drive a car and a sense of humor.

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  8. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Yep Im with you Jason!

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  9. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Grant Denyer, Glenn Robbins

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  10. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Bob……….Skaffie????????

    He is not real popular! Wheels or Motor! Their too much Holden lovers ……..sorry!

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  11. Bavarian Missile Says:

    hahaha……….Glenn Robbins…….

    Na …..Grant and Compton as the professor!

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  12. David (ZBravo) Says:

    I agree that Denyer would be a great Hamster..Cromton to take on Clarko’s job and Mick Molloy to be the James May…

    and for the stig….Mrs Tander.

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  13. Chris Says:

    Here’s my useless thoughts:

    Host: Wil Anderson - not much car knowledge but funny as hell
    Token Driver: Jason Bargwana - always sideways, often into the wall
    Token Dick: David Morley - no… he’s not a token dick, he’s just a dick
    Stig: I can’t tell you - that would kind of ruin it, right?

    Left field contenders:
    1. The Leyland Brothers. (Are they still alive)
    2. Any AFL/NRL footballer with a Drink/Drive conviction
    3. Someone who knows what they’re actually talking about. 100/1

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  14. Amanda Says:

    Kevin Rudd will have the witty coments with a dash of sex appeal!

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  15. peter michaels Says:

    Yep Grant Denyer

    the Stig i reckon should be John Bowe now he’s retired

    other two…

    Peter Cockburn would be alright or Ged Bulmer, noone from the channel 10 or 7 racing crews they are wankers.

    Whoever they get they should be mates or have good chemistry.

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  16. peter michaels Says:

    wouldn’t it be better if the UK guys did a tour of Oz?

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  17. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Throw a curve ball - WARWICK CAPPER

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  18. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    PETER MICHAELS - UK people obviously yes.

    LES PATTERSON / DAME EDNA EVERIDGE would be good

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  19. jp Says:

    Compton for brains, denyer for personality and the v8 connection. the stig…… well i dunno jim richards maybe, he can drive the wheels off anything and wont be committed to heavily! cant get the big names in there from either ford or holden, would never hear the end of it from wither camp!

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  20. Bavarian Missile Says:

    WARWICK CAPPER?????????????????? Not even in tight shorts ………please!

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  21. Nick J Says:

    Host: Probably Billy Woods or Crompton
    STIG: James Courtney

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  22. Me. Says:

    WTF, Kevin Rudd to host Top Gear Austraila?…Umm, you’re joking right?

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  23. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Hey NM …….How do you think Howard and Rudd would go? Rudds a bit gay ,I think ……..hahahaha!

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  24. Me. Says:

    Hey NM, Hope LES PATTERSON / DAME EDNA EVERIDGE! LOL Good one NM!

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  25. Me. Says:

    Hey BM! Like the idea of the Chaser boys!

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  26. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Not Kevin Rudd - he has the personality of a corspe

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  27. Bavarian Missile Says:

    hahahaha………Hes a puppet!

    Chasers rule Me…………

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  28. Andrew M Says:

    one thing first……
    who is this compton you guys are mentioning?

    Ah Jim Richards is a good suggestion….. maybe even John Bowe now he is retireing. both of these guys are pretty unbiased and have driven/raced a massive variety of cars.

    foggy is right….DJ doesnt have the charisma to host what could be a very exciting show but i wouldnt rule out his involvment. maybe they could run it from his workshops???

    although out of those listed above DJ would still be my choice. people dont tune into car shows for comedy. any comical host would spend toooo much time trying to focus on how many gags they could pull.

    Ah but out of those listed its gotta be DJ. c”R”ompton would definately be the professor thats for sure. he just gets right into his explanations of the mechanical things.
    he loves it!!

    oh good to see they dumped those over the top CAD drawings.

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  29. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Neil……

    Smart arse………how do you spell it? hehehe

    Your up a little late!

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  30. alborz Says:

    Alright, Jessica Alba is going off the list…

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  31. ShaunL Says:

    I think we have to remember why we like watching TopGear. I watch it to see great footage of hotcars and to see what Clarkson thinks about the hotcars. But he’s a bit of a tool, he’s opinionated, stubborn, old and not all that cluey when it comes to the technical bits on cars. For some reason we still like him. I think it’s because he’s typically british and gets very excited about cars, which is why SBS have said the Oz TopGear is going to be quintessentially Aussie. Maybe we need someone on there like Alf from Home and Away, or the Bush Tucker man. Question is, can SBS find someone that can hang the backend out on a F6 and talk alot at the same time.

    Plus there’s no point having some V8 supercar driver on there, the show should be for everyone not just motorheads like us. Just imagine it, it’d be a monotone voice saying something like, “the car needs half a degree more toe in, softer tyres, a touch more camber and advance the timing by 2 degrees.” Will everyday folk know what’s going on?

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  32. George Says:

    One thing to remember is May is a musician, Hammond is a day-time TV host and Clarkson is journalist, none of them have a motoring background - probably what makes them so watchable because they aren’t throwing jargon at you constantly.

    Well done to whoever suggested Bana, he would be perfect.

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  33. Bob Says:

    Bana for sure for star power and genuine old school car loving. He’s piss funny and multi-talented and can play any role.

    Mark Webber for the Stig or perhaps someone of F1-ilk. Remember the Stig has posted times as quick as the F1 drivers, suggesting he’s an ex-F1 pilot himself such as Mansell. If not, then a V8 Supercar driver is a must.

    I definitely agree with Grant Denyer as the local Hamster… he’s larrikin enough but enough cred with plenty of charisma and tv presenting experience.

    You’d need the grumpier old man to top off the trio, I reckon someone like DJ would be good.

    If Skaife had his name anywhere near it I’d never watch. Idiot that bloke.

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  34. Simon Says:

    Rove McManus because he has a similar sense of humour to Richard Hammonds

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  35. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    ALBORZ - LOLx893300 at ya comment.

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  36. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Julia Gillard. Pauline Hanson would suffice - please anything but Kevin as he looks gayish and looks like never worked in his life and mega nerd.

    SHANE WARNE, now I think Max “TANGLES” Walker would be good.

    BOB CARR AS THE STIG - he would turn people away in droves

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  37. Godfrey Says:

    Eric Bana would be perfect
    Rove ???

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  38. Tom Says:

    to anyone who voted for kevin rudd, I’d love to meet you in person…so I can shoot you right in the middle of your face.

    Eric Bana is a great suggestion, I never would of thought of it but that would work well. As for another larrakin, if you don’t want to copy the current top gear format too much, what about Boonie? Or one of the Waugh brothers, probably Mark. I don’t know how they would go as presenters, but I reckon they could easily talk shit for an hour, and thats the main requirement I reckon. To be able to lay smack talk on each other in an entertaining fashion for one hour with the occasional challenge/car review.

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  39. Sexythang Says:

    i think the show will set itself up for failure if u want to compare it to and/or mimic the real Top Gear. simply coz nobody can be clarkson. nobody can be hammond (rove survives heavily on well written scripts). and may is just may.

    besides not many people will be as capable as the producer of top gear.

    they’d be better creating a new tv driving show instead of using the top gear name.

    by the way, any famous sports person or comedian or tv hosts or the sort should not be in top gear.

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  40. J Says:

    I really hope they don’t make this show cause it would be just as bad as the other imitation shows that have been made, not to mention the shows trying to imitate Top Gear, e.g the Drive show on Ch 10 with old 5th Gear segments in between. I can just imagine thats what they plan to do on SBS. Have “guest” reviewers from the UK…

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  41. SPEED FREAK Says:

    old ruddy will need another job come next week lol

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  42. Amanda Says:

    “to anyone who voted for kevin rudd, I’d love to meet you in person…so I can shoot you right in the middle of your face.”

    Typical Liberal attitude.

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  43. Aquahead2001 Says:

    Honestly, I think this is a really bad idea, no one will ever be able to replicate Top Gear, no matter how hard they try.

    There is only one Clarkson, one Mays, and one Hammy. Having someone else stand there and try to be one of them will be bad TV.

    Long may they stay together and let us pray we get them on SBS every monday night.

    Oh, and if we’re going to have an Aussie car show, let develop it ourselves!

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  44. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    To be honest I dont think an Aussie would cut it as smooth and natural as the Poms. They are bloody brilliant and natural. For goodness sake dont rev me!

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  45. Frugal One Says:

    I VOTE FOR……….

    “FRUGAL-ONE”

    LOL

    VOTE NOW!!

    Cheers

    F-0

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  46. Ivan Says:

    Any presenter of the Aus Top Gear trying to imitate jeremy, hammond and may would always live in their shadow, and that’s not a good thing.

    If SBS is making a Top Gear in Aus, why not have 3 new complete personality. Why not make one that’s extremely lazy, one that’s hyperactive and one more that has a compulsive disorder. It’ll be good to watch them argue.

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  47. RX8...that's RX Says:

    For those of you that know Dick Johnson personally, he is the only choice. He is opinionated, but unbiased when it comes to his choice of cars and he knows exactly what he is talking about when it comes to driving. For those he think he has no Charisma…He is the epitome of an Aussie Rev-head…no different than Clarkson is as a Pom. Go Dick!

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  48. Liam Says:

    How’s about Paul Fenech from Fat Pizza as the aussie Hammond?

    1. Short
    2. Dodgy
    3. Humorous
    4. Car Nut
    5. Already on SBS

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  49. Matthew Says:

    I voted Grant Denyer - funny guy, gets the short jokes too.

    In the other spots - well - DJ is a character - he doesn’t get on the box much with his talking now, but what I have heard of him was great.
    Crompton is certainly insightful, and it seems everyone has forgotten he also spent 2 or 3 years piloting V8’s.

    Jim Richards would be great as the special steer.

    The question is - do we want ‘just another car show’ - or something that is entertaining and informative??

    Who has done a track day with any of these guys? From what I’ve heard, most of these professional drivers are quite competent at doing sideways commentry…

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  50. one-t Says:

    Michael Stahl is the man for the job! Very witty and with a different slant on the whole thing. He is one of the very few jurno’s that can translate his talent from wordsmith onto the box… he gets my vote

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  51. runnaln Says:

    How about Nick Giannopoulos from Wog Boy and Singing Office, and Mick Molloy from Crackerjack

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  52. Lachlan Says:

    rudd should definatly be the next james may, and bana would do a great job, considering he himself does race cars, the stig should be a x v8 suoercar driver, and hamond can easily be replaced considering there are so many small funny people out there!

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  53. Tom Says:

    To amanda, my point was more because he’s a politician, rather than his political position as the leader of the Labor party. But feel free to judge my political view and the apparent attitudes of a large slice of the Australian population based on one off-hand comment that was clearly not serious in nature. I can’t wait until this bloody election is over so people can just calm down and stop being so hyper critical about anything political.

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  54. Nik Says:

    i nominate Jen because hot girls and hot cars at least the show will have half chance of being a success.

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  55. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Absolutely correct Tom! Me too!

    May as well have Fat Cat too then if you think Jen Hawkins could contribute!…….sorry but Megan Gale is a lot better
    and a real model not a try hard one!

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  56. Pat E Says:

    I reckon Paul Cockburn form MOTOR mag would be a hilarious James May equivalent, and i agree with Grant Denyer for the hamster role - not too sure about Clarkson tho…

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  57. Bavarian Missile Says:

    No thanks don’t want any Holden lovers from Wheels or Motor!

    Some one that will give a true representation of cars in Australia please!

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  58. Frugal One Says:

    Actually, while i will be the “Clarkson” of the Aussie edition, my helpers will be big boob girls and milfs who look stunning

    What more would you want?[Free beer.Ed]

    Cheers

    F-0

    VOTE NOW!!

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  59. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Well there really going to interest me ha ! I guess you won’t get much interest from women views then!

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  60. Me. Says:

    mmm, Frugal One….SO WE GET TO KNOW HIM! :D

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  61. Iamthestig Says:

    Sorry but I voted for the “Frugal One” as James May - the eccentric one, “Captain Slow” - the one with floral shirts and so on…

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  62. Bubba Ganush Says:

    what about kevin bartlett? any takers

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  63. phillip Says:

    I’m sorry to disappoint you all, but according to Australian media laws, the job has to be offered to Eddie McGuire first. Let’s see if he knows as little about cars as he does about the world (as evidenced in the millionare show).

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  64. Andrew M Says:

    RX8,
    i agree DJ is totally different when he jumps back in a car. he must drop around 30yrs off his life when he does. he is just like a little kid again when he feels the need to take the wheel.

    the only thing is he is not a born presenter. he would have to be like the “father” of the show.

    as for stepping out sideways and commentating, well that would have to be lowndes no questions asked. remember when he won sandown this yr he drifted the last half of the lap and was talking to Campbell (his engineer) the whole time. it sounded sort of like he was commentating himself through the race finish or something.
    in the current paddock he has the most natural talent and best car control

    special driver is jim richards. no matter what you like when Jim speaks people listen.

    denyer presenting for personallity ++++ for sure and Cromly for technical info.

    journos are too biased and too scripted to give the show a natural flow it would need to be enjoyable hence anyone from wheels or motor…….nah

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  65. Andrew M Says:

    nah piss off Eddie!!!

    we dont want to wait till after the break to find out what boost a certain car is running.

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  66. midi Says:

    i think john bowe since he is leaving V8’s next year. and he has a pretty good motoring head!!

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  67. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Thats not a bad idea Midi!

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  68. Me. Says:

    Bowe would be good to be some kind of guest in the show, maybe for driving now that hes left V8s.

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  69. wheelnut Says:

    They could ask [Former Holden CEO] Peter Hannenberger; [Former Ford CEO] Jac Nasser and [Former Toyota/Mitsubishi CEO] Tom Phillips.
    These men must know something about cars - what makes a good car and what the people want etc as both of them got their respective companies out of the red.

    Sure Phillips wasn’t as successful as the others but he had some great ideas that would have worked including RWD Aurion and Magna which were unfortunately canned by Tokyo

    BUt Under No Circumstances invite Denny Mooney or Ford Jr.

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  70. Andrew M Says:

    hey i said john bowe ages ago he he he he

    Wheelnut,
    you cant have execs.
    they might know how to improve sales but does that mean they know everything about cars? NO
    all they could quote you is predicted business figures not actual vehicle mechanical figures.
    sorry but journos and car company execs arent suitable

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  71. Andrew M Says:

    hey alborz,
    what happened to that latest mitsu spec edition i was following for a bit?
    it was only a few days old i think

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  72. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Hey AndrewM if you look at the latest news section on the site click on next it will bring up the last 100 blogs on cars! Should be there.

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  73. Bavarian Missile Says:

    As long as its not Ray Martin!!!!!!!hahaha

    Na I think

    Crompton,Denyer,and that Scottish comedian ………whats his name? Or that idiot off one of those holiday programs…….use to heat his pies up on the manifold of a Statesman when he did some round Australia trip?

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  74. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Well spoke Andrew M…was just about to comment same and ya beat me. Leave the self proclaimed journos and car excutives out as I deal with sales people and well hardly worth a comment - even when good.

    To be serious I would not draw on hosts to be on crew - I would probably have guest drivers puttin in cameo stints as the Weekly Stig. I would say do it with Clarkson Aussie lead going to Michael Caton as he is a dam larrikin. Sidekick clowns being Grant Denyer or Glenn Robbins and Jack Thompson. As for ex-drivers, having someone in there might be detrimental as old - I would still plump for Dick Johnson and Allan Grice. The shows format would stick similar to classic UK version - but add Aussie slant to it with Aussie lingo…. mate she’d be a bonza show and witty smart skits thrown in.

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  75. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Jack Thompson and Michael Caton - as Aussie as the old beefeater barbie! I’ll drink to that as would be a ripper show!

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  76. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Missile…Derryn Hinch too babe HA HA

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  77. Bavarian Missile Says:

    hahaha…….Michael Caton……..thats going straight to pool room not the cool wall!

    What you don’t like your new car……..tuff thats life !

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  78. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Whoever does lead role has to be an Aussie battler, larrikin as bigger then Ben Hur people like hollywood actors or whatever don’t do a thing for me. Michael Caton for me for some reason goes against that grain of thought and if done in witty satire tad similar to the movie ‘The Castle’ - would be cool and a pearler show!

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  79. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Look at Clarkson and the gang - neville nobodies and unreal. Cannot top them and there natural pizazz pulling off the show. Lets not destroy a classic and Americanise it too much please!

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  80. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Here..here….NM !

    But then again I doubt very much Clarkson would allow it…….he hates America and after their little trip to the States I think America hates them too…….hehehe

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  81. Erik Says:

    Grant Denyer
    Paul Hogan
    Chris Amon (a retired F1 Kiwi driver but knows cars and was on Motor Show).

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  82. Elitist Says:

    I hate when Australian celebrities try to do car shows or imitate american/british shows.

    Australians arent funny and their car knowledge sux, leave my Top Gear alone.

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  83. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Australians aren’t funny? Your joking right! Our car knowledge suxs,based on what?………its Top Gear themselves that feels we are the first place in the world they will franchise into,I think that alone speaks for its self!

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  84. Jeremy (not Clarkson) Says:

    Top Gear either as a car review program or as a comedy show with a few cars in it makes no sense outside of a British cultural context. Just get Hamster, Clarkson and May to spend a month or so filming in Australia with our local products and conducting local challenges. Various Australian weekend car shows have tried to copy part or all of Top Gear and not only have flopped commercially but were cringe-inducingly bad.

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  85. Big_Macka Says:

    An Aussie version would be a great show. Jimmy Richards would have to be the Stig, no-one comes close to his skill (except the Pommy Stig). I think we would need people that arent like the original boys from Top Gear. New characters please!! I’d put my hand up for the lazy one, ha ha. As for you ‘haters’, if you dont like it, dont watch it!!!!!

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  86. mistertwo Says:

    It would be good to get Clarkson, Hamster and Captain Slow over to film here. The yanks did a version where they had the British Stig as they couldn’t find a driver who could go around corners in the States! Aparrantly it wasn’t very good, but neither are the yanks in general.

    As long as there is no Holden/Ford bias in the show, which will no longer exist in 15/20 years anyway same as in the UK 20 years ago between Ford and Vauxhall. And not be sponsored by the maufacturers like the car magazines are here (seen the latest edition of Wheels? Another Holden on the cover).

    In fact it won’t work here at all because if they say a Ford or Holden is shit then the line workers will go on strike like they did in the mid 90’s in the UK when Jeremy Clarkson refused to test drive the Vectra because it was boring.

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  87. Fred Bishop Says:

    Yeah, i voted for the Frugal-One, he is bizzare and always *PRIMO*.LOL

    Would fit in with the goons @ TopGear :-) [Plus promises of free beer and boobs..]

    Fred

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  88. goog Says:

    i think that a v8 supercar driver has to be in it.. skaifey would be a great person 4 it.. as he did do the Ve commodore “Billion dollar baby” show on teli recently and did a great job with that.. and also maybe crompton and also grant denyer.

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  89. Tonyn Says:

    skaife has the arrogant personality of a house brick!!!

    I reckon Jim richards or John bowe, mark oastler and someone like john goss or something? or someone big in the show car scene so you have all motoring interests covered?

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  90. Bubba Ganush Says:

    i gotta agree with the pesimists you cant mimmick those guys it will only end up being painfull to watch

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  91. Andrew M Says:

    nah skaify is tooooo much of a holden puppet.
    he is tied around their finger too tightly he wouldnt be able to appear with out his HRT color shirt and he sits too straight like he is always trying to impress the holden execs.

    they need someone that can relax and not be told what to say.
    john bowe is one hell of a larakin and nothing seems to phase him

    oh and 3/4 of those ridiculous suggestions that are now on the list need to go!!!!!!

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  92. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Yep agree with that Andrew……the list needs to be culled!

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  93. Andrew M Says:

    actually more than 3/4 of it does.
    i count about 5 sensible candidates.

    how can J Bowe and J Richards not be on it and people nominate themselves????

    Alborz,
    kill the silly answers. absolute waste of time. i think people are starting to take the piss. too bad you make something interactive and people go back to the school days where you put your name as mickey mouse on the roll call for a substitute teacher

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  94. Bavarian Missile Says:

    hahahaha…….other half just read something on the Forums about that Photographer that had been stalking our Nichole…apparently he also chased my Russell Ingall down once…Russell went into his brothers restaurant .{jerno not knowing this} and Russ’s brother went up to the jerno and said”are you a jerno” Reply YES! He got smacked in the face…hahaha suffer in ha jocks!

    Those guys are lower than a snake!

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  95. David Says:

    I think it is becoming clear that if this is confined to an Australian audience it wont work.
    Not enough revenue needs international interest.
    Australia does have locations.AFlinders Ranges region of SA, Broken Hill,Silverton,Australian Alps NSW,Great Ocean Road Vic,Little Desert,Mildura,Macedon Ranges Vic,Tasmania is another world,& these are only what I know about.High speed sequences?Tracks are there but money is the issue.Advertising revenue unfortunately might demand the use of the same old stable of stale celebs that stop anyone new getting a look.Sam Newman no way nor the lightweight Getaway crew & their ilk pushing there own predictable barrows.It can’t be some empty lifestyle fill in.
    If sponsorship is only from car manufacturers,forget it.
    Good Luck.

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  96. goog Says:

    well if skaifey dont do it then really no racing car driver can. crompton yes, or maybe even dave hughs as he is funny but mayb wont no 2 much abouts cars.. and glenn robbins from the car show, or even that guy who used to race the lamborghini last name is hackett. (peter hackett) i think it was.

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  97. Bavarian Missile Says:

    UMMMMMM…….Skaifey has no posture or respect to most Ford fans ………sorry! I think Todd has more than Skaffie! Even to GT he has run out of talent!

    Forget it!!

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  98. Me. Says:

    HMMMMM….what would happen if it were Ingall and Skafie?

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  99. Me. Says:

    Is that the same goog that used to be here ages ago?

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  100. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Ingall isn’t Skaffie! Never will be so arrogant either!

    Forget it ME………… who knows?

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  101. Elitist Says:

    Everyone in the world know Aussies arent funny.
    Brits have the best humour, aussie humour is based around rascism and drunken louts.
    Probably the only funny guy in that list was Glen Robbins but his car knowledge sux.

    As for ppl saying australian car knowedge is great, thats funny cause aussies on this site were mising up Japnese cars with Chinese and Korean car heritage.

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  102. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Is that right……….who says that! We are about the only race than can laugh at themselves……….your obviously a pom to come on this time of the night!

    You have no idea at all what Australians understand as REAL CARS! Cause apparently you Britt’s are finally manufacturing what us little Colonials can create with less than the 3rd of your population! Anything to say at that MATE!!!!!!!!! Oh and by the way …….we sell our designed registered product into your country that you guys apparently still cant make………so…….ha FN.ha! I think your about to copy it though!!!!!!!!!!!! Whos the inventor?????????????

    God I hate being a bitch some times!
    By the way my Dads a REAL ENGLISH GENTLEMAN…………..I think you have no idea!!!!!

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  103. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Mate you cant spell……..so who cares what you have to say!

    Do you know anything about Australian Cars? Nope I didn’t think so………..

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  104. Tonyn Says:

    good one BM!

    I wont watch top gear aus if denyer is on it…. i like denyer but i think i am sick of seeing him on TV

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  105. motorsportBABESau Says:

    This is SBS we are talking about. Can they actually afford anyone decent?

    Eric Bana would be good though. Merrick and Rosso too. I think Merrick owns the old XA GT from the Two Hands movie.

    Cant wait to see these boys fangin around in there old aussie muscle cars.

    Ha ha. I can see Alf from home and away as the star in a reasonably priced car. What should the car be. Perhaps an old Gemini or Datto!

    The Bush Mechanics would have to be involved some how too!

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  106. Frugal One Says:

    I AM YOUR MAN!!

    Will be casting-couch girls with big-boobs soon as i can:-)

    We will be partying pretty much 24×7, might even fit in the odd car test and track lap time [at Calder Park] and other testing [say like the Falcon glovebox vs the Commodore glovebox etc]

    VOTE NOW!!

    Cheers

    F-0

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  107. Bavarian Missile Says:

    I doubt your getting my vote Frugal One…..or a lot of others on this blog ! As I have said before theres plenty of Porn on the internet if you have to view that type of degrading females crap! So come on stop bringing it up…please? Your not Hugh Hefner are you?

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  108. Andrew M Says:

    goog,
    mate you have shown your colours when you say its skaify or noone.
    skaife isnt the most talented. he is just the front man for holden so people think he must be

    there is a couple of young guns that i would pit over skaify. oh and if you have ever been to V8 round in person they do (or used to do) a thing called the VB Challenge where skaife and todd would race Johnson and Davison in a car relay weaving through cones and do a donut at the end and come back and park it between the cones.
    well Johnson ALWAYS smashed skaify and Johnson even throws it in the cones at the end backwards!!!!!!

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  109. wheelnut Says:

    Elitist - you may or may not have realised that this blog/forum is on the world wide web.. [remember www.?]
    So there is no real way of knowing where the people taking part in the various blogs on this website are from.. in the same way that I cannot tell where you are from. Therefore; your statement in which you say “aussies know nothing about cars” is rubbish.

    As for the thing about confusing Japanese cars with Korean cars.. thats a matter of perspective.. it also depends how specific [anal] you want to be

    For example: Holden is a company with Australian Heritage which is now owned by GM; an American company. Therefore there are some people who call the Commodore an American car because Holden is owned by GM whilst there are those who call it an Australian Car because it’s made here.

    On the other hand: BMW is a German company yet some of their cars are made in the USA and even South Africa. So you would get those who would refer to all BMWs as being German or [depending upon the model] American or South African.. again because that’s where their made.

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  110. mistertwo Says:

    Hey BM, the only Australian made and designed vehicle to be sold in the UK is the HSV VXR8, before that the Monaro. You are forgetting the manufacturing and design operations of foreign car companies which operate in the UK (same as Australia as Ford and Holden are not Australian Companies, they are American owned). Some examples of maufacturing operations in the UK: Ford, Vauxhall, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin plus the numerous small sports car outfits such as Morgan, Marcos and Jensen (Jensen is using the 6.0L LS2 with more power than the HSV, go figure!). Vehicles designed in the UK include the Honda Accord Euro, Honda Civic Hatch, all Jaguars, Land Rovers, Aston Martins (most beautiful cars in the world) and I am only talking about the models available in Australia, there is also the Toyota Avensis (sedan and wagon, not the Verso) and Nissan Primera to name only two. Yes it is true there isn’t a UK owned volume manufacturer left in the UK (the last being Rover) but there isn’t one in Australia either. Yes I am an expat Pom and yes I know about Australian cars as I work in Fleet - that is why I drive a Honda!

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  111. Frugal One Says:

    “Hey BM, the only Australian made and designed vehicle to be sold in the UK”

    So i suppose you forgot about the Ford LTD sold in the early 90’s and the up till recently sold Falcon LPG Ute [Imported by the Aussie part owner of AC Cobra fame

    Cheers

    F-0

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  112. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Sorry guys you miss understood me………I meant the product our company makes and sells in to the UK.

    Do you you know a modified version of the Phoon goes there Mistertwo!They maybe American Owned Ford and Holden….Not HSV or FPV though…..

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  113. SUBURBAN DRIVER Says:

    Why not ask ‘bavarian missile’ to host the Australian Top Gear? He seems to know everything, has an opinion on everything and has nearly owned every car sold in Australia! I think he would add a touch of humour and we could all have a good chuckle and call the program “Missed Gear Change”.

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  114. mistertwo Says:

    FPV is 51% owned by Prodrive, which is a British owned company!! And HSV was run by a pom until recently.

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  115. mistertwo Says:

    Hi F-O, I did forget about those vehiles as I never saw any. Ther are some grey import Falcons and Commodores knocing around. Some bright spark had the forsight to import a 1999 AU Forte. It is now on Autotrader.co.uk for $5000.00 with 90,000km. Bargain!

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  116. Bavarian Missile Says:

    My point was they weren’t American ! I know who Prodrive is !!!!!

    Thanks Suburban but I am Female for starters! When have I ever said I have owned everything made in Australia mate?

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  117. Momo Says:

    You guys are all hopeless, really.

    The ideal host for the show is obviously Jennifer Hawkins in black leather gear.

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  118. MikeZdoesit Says:

    Good Lord, Top Gear is so perfect the way it is, I pray this isn’t a massive and shameful mistake on our part - Just KEEP ROVE AWAY!!!! I’m sick of his week humor and the way he constantly wants to screw men. He can suck things on his own show but We need some people with wit and intelligence if the Australian Top Gear is to be a success.

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  119. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Momo …………wake up !!! Your having a dream!

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  120. Cobra045 Says:

    BM..

    any luck getting your name down for a HO??

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  121. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Na……..Tonyns wont even take orders for the Orion GT!

    I have told him you your mate and us want one but I guess we will have to wait!

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  122. Sab Says:

    Please don’t pick Glen Ridge… please don’t pick Glen Ridge… please don’t pick Glen Ridge… please don’t pick Glen Ridge…

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  123. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Im guessing your note voting for Glen Ridge???? Me too

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  124. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Anyone see the race with the Stig and Lewis Hammilton the reasonably priced car!!! Stig beat him around the track!

    Results

    RESULTS

    * The Stig: 1:44.4
    * Mansell: 1:44.6
    * Hamilton: 1:44.7
    * Jenson B.: 1:44.7
    * D. Hill: 1:46.3
    * M. Webber: 1:47.1

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  125. pete Says:

    im sick of neil crompton, hes too much of a nerd, too stiff looking on tv, too boring

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  126. Mark Says:

    who said we should have the stig, maybe another hidden personality who may or maynot speek. And Russell Coite would make a perfect host allong with bana and at least one of them should be able to drive so put in denyer

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  127. Rob Mortimer Says:

    An ageing “rev-head”! 60 YO who still drives fast Aussie racing cars. The girls reckon I look more like 45!
    Collects fast cars and uses them.
    I have owned almost every Australian “muscle car” ever built, but love my Torana XU-1 race car.
    I’ve also been involved in many TV series and international documentaries….so I know how it all works.
    Got a beard, a serious sense of humour, and viciously Australian. I am retired and more than ready for a red hot go at being devotedly involved in what could easily be Australia’s best motoring show ever produced.

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  128. Bavarian Missile Says:

    You’ve got my vote! Karl is this your Dad??

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  129. Lisa Says:

    Why would celebrities front the series when Top Gear has celebrity guests segments? Jennifer Hawkins? Merrick and Rosso? BAAAHHHAAHHAA! Maybe in the Twilight Zone!

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  130. aditya Says:

    this is all wrong if u look at the sbs website they want people who are not classic hosts or anything like that they want people who are experienced or arecar enthuisiasts such as car journalisits or even novices, why the hell are the chaser guys even mentioned what the hell do they know about cars the show with them on it would have australia the laughing stock of the world.(in a bad way. The only reason rove would make the show funny is because he wouldn’t be able to see over the steering wheel, crash the car blindly, and give it a review weaker than that of an in-flight magazine. i’m sure dick johnson is a good driver hell let him be the stig but it would be pretty obvious who the stig is as hios business would probably notice him missing.

    WE should not try to find replacements of the uk team in Australia but create a unique team that represents Australia (no offense but no girls thats one of the reasons why uk topgear is a respectable documentary on cars)don’t try to get ratings with big brother style yobbo culture and have sum blonde bimbo on the show. i haven’t chekced all the names but is there even one car journalist or editor in there i mean seriously for good and unbuyest reviews they would be good, sbs has to find out which of them have the talent to be entertaining

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  131. Ban One Says:

    Lets see Original Top Gear hosted by 3 poms who readily admit to really knowing bugger all about cars or anything else lol, and IT WORKS!!! IT’s FUNNY!! IT’s ENTERTAINING

    Hmmm, Oz version of Top Gear - yes thats right lets Bugger it up like we do to everything else, Lets put any or all of the above list of people and we can again win the award for the most boring hour of wasted TV space in history. Why do we continue to do this? Create an Australian version of an excellent overseas show and completely bugger it up. (or just pick the worst overseas trash and bring it here)

    No one seems to notice that generally the best informative shows and Documentaries come out of england, even though we love to pick on the winging poms, we still cant help watching their shows, and why, because they are good at it, they are funny, they are entertaining, and by golly they are informative LOL

    We havent figured it out yet what makes a show great, were too busy making the Host a star, Ensuring they are more important than the show itself. We are to busy making informative shows brought to you by ANY COMPANY WITH LOADS OF MONEY - so long as you’re informed of their products who cares if your educated or entertained!!

    Choosing the right hosts for a new Top Gear is really simple, Start with the list of every known Australian host/Celebrity etc- then just burn it…. Get some fresh unknown blood, or take auditions from the poms

    Whats the biggest problem with Australian Car people
    fords better than holden, holden’s better than ford.
    Notice I dont respect either Make enough to give them capitals!! sick of hearing it!! Driven both and they are both great and they both suck just as much as each other
    overall neither is better or worse than the other - In the end they both break down when you least expect it, they both rust, and they both loose huge chunks of value the second your out of the dealer. In the end you wake up one morning and buy a Yank Tank knowing it will hold its value if nothing else LOL

    What we need to see is an un-biast opinion based on the actual vehicles being shown and tested, not the ford or holden show and certainly not the Host is more important than the actual show

    My 2c

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  132. Burning Chook 84 Says:

    Eric Bana because he had his own business of restoring classic so he knows cars.

    Shaun Micalleff cause he has a dry sence of witt and black humour and myself. Like Eric Bana I have restored a few cars 1970 Valiant Pacer, 1978 Valiant 770 Charger with the 318. Rewired a 1979 Cadillac Seville and currently doing another two cars a 87 Corvette and an’84 Trans-Am hence the name Burning Chook 84.

    Also I’m shorter than Shaun but no taller than Eric. I have more than a clue about cars, more than Rove McManus and apart from that fact we don’t need to see him on everything. Like Eddie McQuire.

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  133. Burning Chook 84 Says:

    Oh and I can keep my Heap Trans Am up with a Ferrari F348 so I must be able to drive just a little bit and I also nominate my flatmate because he drives a Ford Mondeo. You know the one the Top Gear team put behind a jet plane to see if they could Tip it over and blow it off of the road.

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  134. Macca Says:

    Well, after due consideration, the three Top Gear Oz presenters should be:
    Me, I’m submitting an audition video
    Dave Hughes, he’s as funny as all shit and drives like a headless chicken
    Eric Banner… no need to explain why there…

    So, vote for me, hughesy and eric. :-)

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  135. Manno (Craig) Says:

    Evolution might I add is not an uncommon situation that we are faced with. To be fittingly honest, do we want to humour the producers of the Australian version with has beens or some boring squid. Frankly, this tells me that this show will not be a success.

    I do believe however that fresh, exciting commentators that actually know how to drive or have some idea of the car they are dring is important. In support of some of the could be commentators, I grant you all the success in the field of motor car reporting; and despite the fact that you owned and still rate the Hillman Gazelle as a luxury saloon, drive a 1988 VN Commodore with 15 inch wheels and tyres and believe that it is still the ‘Wheels Australian Car of the Year’ or drive your Harry Hyundai with a spoiler on the back thinking that you were a strong candidate for the ‘Fast and Furious Movie’, you can still be an effective supporter of both Australian and overseas Automobiles.

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  136. Watto_Cobra Says:

    Eric Bana, he is cool, has a great sense of humor al a his Fast Forward/Full Frontal days, is used to being in front of a camera, and is passionate about cars. He spent some time with DJR, correct me if I’m wrong but he entered an XA coupe in Targa Tasmaina one year?

    Only prob would be his Hollywood/Movie schedule might conflict. Plus it be low paying compared to what he’s used to now.

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  137. Watto_Cobra Says:

    Bring DJ in for technical stuff, and he has a good, dry sense of humor too.

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  138. Nicko Says:

    What oz TOP GEAR needs is new faces, no ex pro drivers & no comedians…..
    come on gang YOU CAN DO IT.
    I Might just give it a go myself. vote 1 vote Nicko.

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  139. Oz. Says:

    Nicko I agree about no old drivers. We dont want a show full of Dick Johnson, Larry Perkins, John Goss, etc. YUCK!!! OLD FART’S SHOW!

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  140. Dools Says:

    I Volunteer myself and my mates…. mostly cause we can get drunk and put together a damn good Video entry

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  141. PHIL Says:

    HAD A QUICK READ THROUGH WHO CAN AND CAN NOT ENTER, IF YOU ARE SPONSORED, WORK FOR, OR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A MOTOR COMPANY YOU CANT ENTER, CAUSE GOD FORBID, YOU MIGHT BE BIAS., SO REALLY, LETS HOPE WE DONT HAVE SOME X RACE DRIVERS AS SUCH GET ONE OF THE JOBS!!!!!

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  142. wombat Says:

    I really hope it is indeed a good show, and not biassed towards our Australian vehicles simply because they are Australian made. Being proud of one’s own country’s production vehicles is one thing, but bias simply upon that fact is another. I hope they pick a great driver for the Australian Stig - at least better than ‘the chip’ (that phoney rip-off) who was on the Drive Motoring show a while back - powersliding all over the track is certainly impressive, Dear Chippy, but not fast, and a terrible insult to the manufacturers considering you’re supposed to be evaluating fairly, their vehicles, against a competition board of others.

    I’d like to see a bit of open-mindedness, and a shift from the usual “V8 ‘Supercars’ are the only high performance vehicles” attitude. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love a big V8, but even I can see that even a production GT2 Porsche would more than likely chop the V8’s at Bathurst given the chance.

    Some say he can read Shakespeare from 100 meters, using only a capsicum and a monacle lens. And that he can make 98 RON petrol out of home brew beer and garlic sauce. All we know is he’s called Australian Stig.

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  143. keas Says:

    Gonzo has an extensive background in motor sports and media providing tech support along with driving tasks on “Fat Pizza”.
    He is well known and respected with motoring circles and have devoted a vast proportion of his life to the motor industry including Trucks.
    He is well spoken, articulate, has a wicked sense of humour including the sublime and is not into politics. He has no “brand” to push and presents a fresh face and ideas.

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  144. Simon "Gonzo" Travaglini Says:

    What is unique about Australian Motoring?

    Well it’s got to be the 3 “B’s” Burnouts Boobs and Bogans!!

    Getting Tricky Dicky Johnson to host the show would be like watching a wet rag dry, I mean the only really entertaining things he ever did involved him crashing a car. Mark Skaife well watching him spit the dummy if the crew didn’t get the shot would be a little amusing, but he has crowd appeal of a 60 year old pole dancer.
    Mark Denyer, yes well we already have to put up with him on one show do we really want to make that mistake again?
    Eric Banna well maybe, but only if he wore the fake penis from chopper, all the time.
    Sam Newman, next.
    Top Gear works because of the mix of the presenters, and particularly because of Clarkson, it use to be hosted by ex racing car drivers and failed dismally. So that rules out ALL TOURING CAR DRIVERS!!!
    So who does that leave? The chasers? Do they even have a drivers licence between the lot of them?
    I must say ladies and gentleman the future is not looking good!

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  145. Adrian Says:

    I agree with Keas Gonzo is the man, not only does he drive them, he builds them. My own 8 second car is a credit to the mans abilitys, and I would probably get Pauly from Pizza. They have worked together for years and a bit of Choco influance would’t hurt the show.
    I’ll tell you one thing, if Gonzo built the amphibious vehicle, it would probably be able to cross Bas Straight, run 10’s and even fly!!!
    You just have to see some of the things this guy builds!!

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  146. nick ( IRONIC ) ierino Says:

    Hey everyone VOTE 1 for Simon ( GONZO )

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  147. nick ( IRONIC ) ierino Says:

    Go Jen Hawkins you sexy thing.
    Feel free to to catch up in the best state of Australia
    (WA ).

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  148. blake Says:

    TJ.
    If he cant break it, or crash it into a guard rail, its worth taking a look at.

    For the love of god, not Denyer!

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  149. Marc Russo Says:

    Simon “Gonzo” Travaglini forsure!

    He is “The guy” who will fit this job spot on!

    Vote! Gonzo!

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  150. Cobra 302 Says:

    Go dick johnson, he should definately be on there. and even some reall funny ex racing blokes as you cant get any current ones because there on channel 7 and this will be on sbs. I want to be the australian stig, screw the frugal one!!!

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  151. Oz. Says:

    Dick Johnson should be the only old driver there, I don’t want a show full of old farts.

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  152. Alex Says:

    Mark Brandon Chopper Reid :)

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  153. Macca Says:

    Well, it all seems pretty damned hard, eh. But, I’ve done further research and have dropped Eric Banner a choice due to he probably pulls more $ from one movie than the whole show could afford. Sooooo, to replace him, I’ll put in my audition Liz Ellis. Yeah, a sheila, why not I ask? I was taught to race very well by a woman and she also taught me more about cars inside and out than any bloke and I’ve taught others the same stuff, just with my style; and though she can hardly d