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Top Gear Australia

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Top Gear Australia
GenreMotoring
Presented byShane Jacobson
Ewen Page
Steve Pizzati
The Stig
Past Presenters
Warren Brown (Series 1-2)
Charlie Cox (Series 1)
James Morrison (Series 2)
Opening theme"Jessica"
ComposerDickey Betts
Country of originUK (Top Gear)
Australia (adaptation)
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes17
Production
ProducersBBC Worldwide
Freehand TV
Production locationsBankstown Airport, Bankstown, NSW (Studio)
Camden Airport, Camden, New South Wales (Test Track).
Running time60 minutes (including commercials)
Original release
NetworkSBS One (2008-2009)
Nine Network (2010-present)
Release29 September 2008 –
present
Related
Top Gear (current format)

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,[1] with its first series consisting of 8 episodes.[2] A second series was announced following the release of ratings figures for the premiere and favourable comments from advertisers,[3] 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.[4]

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.[5] 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",[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] 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,[9] which premiered on September 28, 2010 with a 90-minute The Ashes special.[10][11]

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 season 1 presenters from L to R: Warren Brown, Steve Pizzati, Charlie Cox.
Season 2 presenter James Morrison and The Stig.

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.

Lap times

  1. 1:06.92 - Porsche 997 GT2
  2. 1:07.06 - Nissan GT-R
  3. 1:07.69 - Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
  4. 1:08.80 - Ford GT RHD001 (850 hp)
  5. 1:08:88 - Lotus 2-Eleven
  6. 1:09.46 - Nissan GT-R (180 km/h speed limited)*
  7. 1:10.44 - Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series
  8. 1:10:97 - Elfin T5
  9. 1:11:18 - Audi RS6 Avant
  10. 1:11.69 - Porsche 997 Carrera S PDK
  11. 1:11.82 - Maserati GranTurismo S

* 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 Car

The 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

  1. 1:26.31 - Gyton Grantley
  2. 1:26.46 - James Morrison*
  3. 1:26.69 - Brendan Jones
  4. 1:26.75 - Steve Bisley
  5. 1:27.13 - Ian Moss
  6. 1:27.44 - Shannon Noll (wet track)
  7. 1:27:63 - Gary Sweet
  8. 1:28:69 - Leisel Jones

* Morrison was removed from the board after he became a host.

Race Drivers

  1. 1:22.47 - Mark Skaife
  2. 1:23.53 - James Courtney
  3. 1:23.60 - Greg Murphy

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 commercials

Every episode since series 2, Top Gear Australia shows an old car commercial.

  • Episode 1: Holden, "Football, Meat pies, Kangaroos and Holden cars"
  • Episode 2: Chrysler Charger, "Hey Charger!"
  • Episode 3: Chrysler Sigma, "It's a sensation" also known as "New from Japan"
  • Episode 4: Holden, "New Turbo-Smooth"
  • Episode 5: Ford Escort, "Going Ford is the going thing"
  • Episode 6: Ford, "It's the going thing"
  • Episode 7: Holden, "New Torana"
  • Episode 8: Ford, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Cortina" (6 Cylinder)

Stunts

Aping 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.[14] The stunt featured in episode 5 of series 1, which aired on 27 October 2008.

Reception

TV ratings for Top Gear Australia in the Monday 7.30 pm timeslot

Michael Idato of the Sydney Morning Herald described the first episode as "unsteady on some of the corners" and "a little too tricked up for its own good", noting "a distinct lack of detail, presumably to position the show away from car geeks".[15] Stuart Martin, motoring writer for the Adelaide Advertiser said a franchise was "always going to have a tough job living up to the UK original" but noted that Top Gear was not an overnight success and urged viewers to "give the locals a chance to find their niche".[16] In retrospect Philip King said that the first series "received lukewarm reviews and couldn't get close to the ratings success of the original"[17].

The first episode debuted with an audience of 933,000 viewers,[18] 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.[3] The figure was slightly higher than any season premiere of the BBC version aired on SBS, up until that date.[3] 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.[19]

For the second series SBS attempted to address some of the criticism brought up against the first series.[20] The second series of the show debuted with 689,000 viewers,[21] averaging 576,500 viewers across the series against the high rating MasterChef Australia.[19]. Ratings dropped throughout the second series, leading to speculation that SBS will not buy a third series.

The third series premiered on September 28, 2010 on the Nine Network, pulling in 1,538,000 viewers, making it the second most watched television programme that day. The 90-minute The Ashes special, which featured the Top Gear UK presenters facing against the Australian presenters in a series of challenges, also won its timeslot against competing programmes.[22][23]

Jeremy Clarkson has commented on the Australian version, saying "We're loving it, even though your funny accents make you hard to understand".[24]

List of Top Gear Australia episodes

Main article: Top Gear Australia (series 1)
Series # Episode # Title Reviews Challenge Guest Original airdate
11"Series 01, Episode 01"Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
Porsche 997 Carrera S		Soft roaders
Shark cage		Vince Colosimo29 September 2008 (2008-09-29)
12"Series 01, Episode 02"Holden vs Ford
Ford GT RHD		Utes at the Super Pit
Smart hearse		Steve Bisley6 October 2008 (2008-10-06)
13"Series 01, Episode 03"Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series
BMW X6		$500 wrecksJulia Zemiro13 October 2008 (2008-10-13)
14"Series 01, Episode 04"HSV W427GPS vs Aboriginal bush tracker
Holden Astra Lawn Bowls		Jack Thompson20 October 2008 (2008-10-20)
15"Series 01, Episode 05"Audi R8
BMW 135i		Car into Yacht challenge
Toorak Tractor		Shannon Noll27 October 2008 (2008-10-27)
16"Series 01, Episode 06"Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMGOutback OdysseyJames Morrison3 November 2008 (2008-11-03)
17"Series 01, Episode 07"Nissan GT-RSubaru Impreza WRX STi vs. Tiger ARH attack helicopter
Petrol vs. Diesel		Greg Murphy and James Courtney10 November 2008 (2008-11-10)
18"Series 01, Episode 08"Holden vs Ford Round 2,
Jaguar XF		Aston Martin DB9 vs Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera vs Porsche 997 TurboClaudia Karvan17 November 2008 (2008-11-17)

Main article: Top Gear Australia (series 2)
Series # Episode # Title Reviews Challenge Guest Original airdate
21"Series 02, Episode 01"Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution XRace from Federation Square to Portsea - Murcielago LP640 vs. WaveRunnerMark Skaife11 May 2009 (2009-05-11)
22"Series 02, Episode 02"Walkinshaw HSV Clubsport (Supercharged)Home made electric cars - MightyBoy vs. KingswoodIan Moss18 May 2009 (2009-05-18)
23"Series 02, Episode 03"Maserati GranTurismo SUte conversion - Prelude vs. TaragoAnh Do25 May 2009 (2009-05-25)
24"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 Jones1 June 2009 (2009-06-01)
25"Series 02, Episode 05"Elfin T5 vs. Elfin MS8 StreamlinerArmoured limousines - Combi Van vs. Statesman Series II vs. Mini ClubmanH.G. Nelson8 June 2009 (2009-06-08)
26"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 Keller15 June 2009 (2009-06-15)
27"Series 02, Episode 07"Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser vs Nissan Patrol
Sexiest cars		Smart car and Fiat 500 on the Oodnadatta TrackGary Sweet22 June 2009 (2009-06-22)
28"Series 02, Episode 08"Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, Lexus LS 600h L vs Mercedes-Benz S-ClassPorsche Cayenne Diesel vs. horseGyton Grantley29 June 2009 (2009-06-29)


Main article: Top Gear Australia (series 3)
Series # Episode # Title Reviews Challenge Guest Original airdate
30"Series 03, Special"NoneTop Gear Australia: Ashes SpecialJeremy Clarkson
Richard Hammond
James May		28 September 2010 (2010-09-28)
31"Series 03, Episode 01"British super carHitching caravans to cheap 4WDsLisa McCune, Shane Warne19 October 2010 (2010-10-19)
32"Series 03, Episode 02"Lamborghini Pizza cutThe new Lamborghini. AlarLisa McCune, Shane Warne25 October 2010 (2010-10-25)

Magazine

An Australian version of Top Gear magazine titled Top Gear Australia (published by Park Publishing, a partnership between ACP Magazines and the BBC)[25] 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.

References

  1. ^ Knox, David (2008-09-29). "Airdate: Top Gear Australia". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  2. ^ Knox, David (2008-09-19). "Colosimo first guest on Top Gear Australia". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  3. ^ a b c Field, Katherine (2008-09-30). "Idol left in Top Gear's dust". The Australian. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  4. ^ "Top Gear Moves to Nine". EBroadcast Australia. 2009-10-23. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  5. ^ "SBS announces Australian Top Gear presenters". ausmotive.com. 2008-05-29. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  6. ^ "Australian Top Gear presenters revealed". BBC Worldwide Press Releases. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  7. ^ AUSmotive.com - Top Gear Australia loses Cox and blows Morrison’s trumpet
  8. ^ "Top Gear Australia Shane Warne & Jeremy Clarkson on Nine". CARAdvice.com.au. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  9. ^ "Top Gear Australia's new hosts". The Spy Report. Media Spy. 20 June 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  10. ^ "Returning: Top Gear Australia". David Knox. TV-Tonight.com.au. September 16, 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  11. ^ "Shane Jacobson gets into Gear". David Knox. TV-Tonight.com.au. September 27, 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  12. ^ Top Gear Australia Series 2, Episode 2 2009.05.18 – Steve Pizzati: "It's over 3 seconds quicker than the 22 inch wheels... just tyres, nothing else, that's all we did."
  13. ^ Top Gear Australia Series 2, Episode 4 2009.06.01 – Steve Pizzati: "The sedan was an auto and this is a manual."
  14. ^ Top Gear Australia causes traffic jam on Toorak Road Herald Sun, 2 October 2008
  15. ^ Idato, Michael (2008-09-30). "No mess, but an unsteady first lap". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-09-30. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Martin, Stuart (2008-09-30). "Top Gear Down Under has a way to go". The Advertiser. Retrieved 2008-10-01. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Back In The Driver's Seat". The Age. 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  18. ^ Knox, David (2008-09-30). "TEN's tears for Idol". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  19. ^ a b TV Tonight: Ratings Archive
  20. ^ TV Tonight: Car Tuning
  21. ^ Top Gear Australia takes a second test-drive
  22. ^ "Ratings: Week 40". TV Tonight.com.au. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  23. ^ "Top Gear drives up the ratings". David Knox. TV Tonight.com.au. September 29, 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  24. ^ "Jeremy Clarkson Gives His Stamp of Approval to Top Gear Australia". eNews by eBroadcast Australia. 2008-10-20.
  25. ^ "ACP teams up with BBC for Top Gear magazine". news.com.au. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
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