Top Gear Australia
Season 3
Country of originAustralia
No. of episodes4
Release
Original networkNine Network
Original release28 September 2010 (2010-09-28) –
5 May 2011 (2011-05-05)
Series chronology

The third series of Top Gear Australia began on 28 September 2010 with a 75-minute Ashes Special featuring the presenters of both the Australian and UK Top Gear's competing in a series of challenges. This special was used a promotional tool by the Nine Network, who, as of late 2009, had acquired the airing rights to both the UK and Australian shows from SBS One.[1] The series proper began 3 weeks later on 19 October. The show airs on Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel Nine.

A number of changes were made by Nine for the 3rd series. Of the original hosts from SBS, only Steve Pizzati made the move, with new hosts Shane Jacobson & Ewen Page (editor-in-chief of Top Gear Australia magazine) replacing Warren Brown & James Morrison.[2] while former Australian cricketer Shane Warne was added as an occasional guest reviewer. The test track at Camden Airport was redesigned and the 'Star Car' was replaced. The Proton Satria Neo used in the first 2 series on SBS made way for a more 'Australian' Ford XF Falcon Ute complete with bull bar, UHF CB aerial and stickers. (Nine also changed the name of the celebrity car challenge from 'Star In A Bog-Standard Car' to 'Star In A Car').

Due to the change in design of the Top Gear test track, in Episode 2 it was announced that the lap time leader board had been re-calibrated. The Stig drove 5 cars from the previous two seasons around the new track and a difference of +23.9% was calculated.

A two-disc DVD set of the third season, simply titled Top Gear Australia was released in March 2011. It contained all three episodes along with the Ashes Special.

Episodes

Total No. Title Reviews Features/challenges Guest(s) Original air date Viewers
(millions)
17—"The Ashes Special"NoneVan drag race • Double decker cars • Synchronized donuts • Sheep hurdling • Rally raceJeremy Clarkson • Richard Hammond • James May • British Stig28 September 2010 (2010-09-28)N/A
181Series 3, Episode 1Morgan Aero SuperSportOutback road trip in South Australia to Lake Eyre • V8 Lifesaving reelLisa McCune19 October 2010 (2010-10-19)1.22
192Series 3, Episode 2Chevrolet Corvette ZR1Can you use a V8 Supercar in the real world? • New Zealand mountain challengeMichael Clarke26 October 2010 (2010-10-26)1.07
203Series 3, Episode 3Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 • Caparo T1Grey Nomad adventure on a budgetCraig Reucassel • Andrew Hansen2 November 2010 (2010-11-02)0.93
214Series 3, Episode 4Hulme F1 • BMW X5M vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo S • HDT Blue MeanieSUV vs People Mover (Ford Territory vs Kia Carnival)Jimmy Barnes5 May 2011 (2011-05-05)N/A

Ratings

Episode Original Airdate Timeslot Viewers1 Nightly Rank (#) Weekly Rank (#)
#1 19 October 2010 Tuesday
7:30 P.M.		 1,224,000 [3] 4 [4] 12 [3]
#2 26 October 2010 1,079,000 [5] 7 [6] 25 [5]
#3 2 November 2010 953,000 [7] 16 [8] 39 [7]
1 Viewer numbers are based on OzTAM data for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth combined.

References

  1. ↑ "Top Gear Moves to Nine". EBroadcast Australia. 23 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  2. ↑ "Top Gear Australia's new hosts". The Spy Report. Media Spy. 20 June 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  3. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 43 2010
  4. ↑ Week 43
  5. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 44 2010
  6. ↑ Week 44
  7. 1 2 TV Ratings: Week 45 2010
  8. ↑ Week 45
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