New Australian attempt to copy Top Gear/Fifth Gear...

[surroundfan]

Uh oh...

http://theage.com.au/articles/2005/08/21/1124562755388.html

Fairfax looks to make its first foray into TV
By Kylie Miller
August 22, 2005

THE John Fairfax Group may make its first foray into television as early as October with a TV show spun from its successful Drive motoring liftout. Although a deal has not yet been signed, a document circulating in the motoring industry says the company is developing a 10-part series, dubbed Drive (TV), to premiere on the Ten Network on October 29 and screen on Saturday afternoons.

Motoring writer Michael Stahl has been approached to host the series, which is designed to tie in with Fairfax's strong Drive-branded print and online products.

"We are always exploring new ways to extend our Drive offering to motoring buyers, sellers, and motoring enthusiasts through a range of channels," Julie Coffey, the general manager of drive.com.au, said.

"New projects are constantly in discussion and development and Fairfax will make the relevant announcement if and when details are confirmed."

Modelled on popular British series such as Top Gear and Fifth Gear, the low-budget program - each half-hour episode will cost less than $100,000 - will be co-produced by Fairfax and Sydney production company Brand New Media.

Stahl also will host a segment called "The Hot Lap", examining the performance, handling, pedigree and features of a "star car" before it is taken for a spin by "the Speed Steerer", an unnamed professional racing driver.

By the end of the first season, the hot lap segment will have built a comprehensive review table of the so-called star cars - described as Australia's most "aspirational vehicles" - their performance, history and targets.

Fairfax is believed to be considering expanding the concept to other brands, if Drive (TV) is successful.

 

[MixtriX]

"the speed steerer" doesnt have the same effect as "the stig", does it?

 

[Ultra_Kool_Dude]

That's the most blatant rip-off I have ever seen.

 

[flyingfridge]

It'll be crap. No doubt.

How lame is speed steerer? It just will not be the same as stiggy

D i've been wanting to use that emoticon for ages)

 

[Volvo_S70]

What the heck? The Speed Steerer??? Is that the aussie word for "the Stig"?

I love aussie stuff but this is a Terrible rip-off...

 

[flyingfridge]

It must be said, we are good at terrible rip offs. Australian Survivor anyone? Shit I even had a relative in that and could only bear to watch it once.

 

[fbc]

That sounds terrible - like it will be an awful cheap rip-off. Having said that Michael Stahl is an excellent writer, so there might be hope it would be okay. But the wowsers here would stop the show containing any exciting footage I fear.

'The Speed Steerer' - That's just embarrasing

In fact it's so embarrasing, I'm changing my location

 

[Volvo_S70]

'The Speed Steerer' - That's just embarrasing

In fact it's so embarrasing, I'm changing my location

^^ :lol:

 

[surroundfan]

at fbc's decision to relocate to a place where they make decent TV (Inspector Rex for starters...)

I just hope it's not as rubbish as the motoring show that was hosted by James Morrison and Monica Trapaga a few years back...

 

[flyingfridge]

^^ Or The Car Show, with Glen Ridge!!

 

[fbc]

:lol: at your sig flyingfridge

 

[flyingfridge]

:lol: at your sig flyingfridge

hey, it's serious!! i see where u are coming from though :lol:

 

[Janus]

OH DEAR! At least it may give me something to watch on Saturday afternoon...although it WILL be crap.

The whole concept is such a rip off. If I was from the BBC I would be yelling

"UNLEASH THE LAWYERS!!!" :lol:

 

[bren_35]

Speed steerer? that....who?..... what the hell are they smoking?!

BUT, it will review models that are available in australia, and possibly add a voice to the motoring public about things that need attention (speed cameras, P-Plate laws, Speed cameras, "hoon" patrols and speed cameras).

So don't heap sh!t on it just yet, at least give it a chance.

Who knows topgear might scrap the Stig in favour of the Speed Steerer :lol:

 

[SL65]

^^ Or The Car Show, with Glen Ridge!!

The reason why it was so crap was cos it was on the Nine Network with that old fool who wasnt willing to push the cars to their limits. Hopefully Tens attempt will be better...its still Saturday afternoon which means garbage!

 

[Lilleput]

"Some say he only eats sand and that he was raised by badgers, all we know is that hes called The speed steerer!!"



Dosent work at all..

 

[Mark355]

You can't replace Vicki or Jeremy.

 

[flyingfridge]

^^ Or The Car Show, with Glen Ridge!!

The reason why it was so crap was cos it was on the Nine Network with that old fool who wasnt willing to push the cars to their limits. Hopefully Tens attempt will be better...its still Saturday afternoon which means garbage!

I think I've said this before, but as generally loathesome as Glenn Ridge is as a presenter (Sale of the Century really didn't do him any favours), he's one of us. The lame driving was in the vein of the show, hell the wowsers probably got to channel 9. But Ridge has a lightly modified FD RX-7 which he regularly races in events such as Targa Tasmania.

 

[SL65]

But Ridge has a lightly modified FD RX-7 which he regularly races in events such as Targa Tasmania.

A few years ago, i remember watchin him on tv spin like 15times in the rain...he had no control :lol: :?

 

[watto]

Oh God. This is gonna be crap...

But then again, Michael Stahl is the most entertaining writers in "Wheels"... but i'm not sure how he'd go on TV... hmmmmmm