Top Gear - Australia

[Melz]

I wouldn't be surprised if TGA hires people that haven't had television experience before... creates more interest if you don't know what the presenters are going to be like

[Vic]

Originally Posted by gtp 2003

clarkson also drove the fastest car in the world, the quad turbo bugatti

Which is an interesting point - with BBC's Top Gear, they get to take any of their test cars across to France, Germany, Italy etc and legally drive them as fast as they can. Do we still have open speed limit highways still in the NT? Aussie TG would need to be able to legally and properly thrash any car that they'd get their hands on and that requires areas of high speed doesn't? it?

[TUF_302]

I think Warren Luff should be strongly considered for one of the positions!!

[Mark^^]

They should ask Ian Thorpe, then he can do all the limp pimp and perfume my ride parts of the show.

[FPVF6X201]

Speed limit in NT is now 130k's. No more open limits due to tourists trying to drive rentals at 200+k's.

[fmc351]

There was an ad on SBS the other night calling for interest in being a presenter.

Looks like they will be using at least one unknown...

[GK]

Originally Posted by Quasi

As previously mentioned Bana would be great, but he is just a little busy making movies in Hollywood at the moment

Oh yeah, he'd be awesome. Eric Bana FTW!

GK

[DWC]

I recon they should bring back Leo ****er

[Campo81]

Originally Posted by fmc351

There was an ad on SBS the other night calling for interest in being a presenter.

Looks like they will be using at least one unknown...

Yeah those ads are on nearly every second ad break

[Quicksand]

couldn't find this posted anywhere, apologies if repost, but looks like they are struggling to find new hosts:

Top Gear Aussies hard to find
By Katherine Field
February 21, 2008 05:49pm

SBS says it's having a tough time picking the three presenters who will front the Australian version of Top Gear.

The network has been swamped by almost 4000 applications from candidates wanting to host the local take on the popular BBC motoring show, which will air later this year.

SBS was due to finalise a shortlist last week, but today said it was weeks away from drawing up a final list.

The Australian Top Gear will be based on the hit British version, which features three enthusiasts test driving and brutally appraising the world's most popular cars and performing breathtaking stunts.

SBS spokeswoman Heidi Packer said the network was having difficulty picking a suitable mix from the thousands of 10-minute video clips they had received.

"There's a lot to weigh up," she said.

"They're trying to find three suitable individuals, but then you have to make sure they have the right chemistry on stage as well.

"Sometimes you have three great individuals but they don't have chemistry when you put them together."

Ms Packer couldn't confirm what names were among the applicants, but it's believed that former beauty queen and motorbike enthusiast Laura Csortan and former Escape With ET reporter Michelle Walsh are among the hopefuls.

She added that time was tight with the show set to air after the Olympics in September.

"There's a lot of work to be done, because we can't just say, hey your starting tomorrow," Ms Packer said.

Australia is the first country in the world to secure the rights to make a local version of the show.

It will have a distinctly Aussie feel, but will aim to be similar to the British version which draws in a million plus viewers per episode for SBS with its mix of comedy, celebrities and high performance cars.

The series will be produced by Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide's Australasian partner.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599...-29277,00.html