Top Gear Australia (series 2)

The second series of the television series Top Gear Australia aired in Australia from 11 May 2009. The series included presenters Warren Brown, James Morrison and Steve Pizzati.

Episodes

# Production code Title Director Airdate
1 Series 2 Episode 1 Gary Deans 11 May 2009
Guest: Mark Skaife
Review: James Morrison reviews the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. Steve Pizzati brings along his own BMW 135i Coupe to compare it. It beats the Evo in a drag race twice, but around the track it was unable to overtake the Evo.
Challenge: Car vs Jetski: Pizzati races Warren Brown and Morrison from Melbourne to Portsea. Pizzati in a Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 is hampered by traffic, cyclists, limited speeds and a friend of Morrison in a truck and ultimately loses to others who beat him on a Yamaha WaveRunner.
Old Ad: Football, Meat pies, Kangaroos and Holden Cars ad
In Studio Stunt:

Morrison and Brown try to recreate the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback TV ad of dropping things onto a trampoline and into the boot of the car.

# Production Code Title Director Airdate
2 Series 2 Episode 2 Gary Deans 18 May 2009
Guest: Ian Moss
Review: Steve Pizzati reviews the HSV Clubsport R8 tuned by Walkinshaw Performance. It is quoted as being one of Australia's best kept muscle car secrets. Steve also manages to help save you money if you wanted to buy one by telling you what options you don't need on the car. This included the 22" rims that caused the car to run slower on the Test Track compared to if it ran on Standard 20" rims.
Challenge: Electric Cars: Steve and Warren decide to build their own Electric cars. Steve decides to use a Suzuki Mightyboy powered by cordless drills while Warren takes hold of a Holden Kingswood Station Wagon and loads up the boot with batteries.

Due to Steve using drill this ultimately fails and Warren's car works flawlessly beating him in the drag race and endurance test.

Old Ad: Chrysler Valiant Charger
In Studio Stunt:

Warren sees if he can get Steve to learn how to drive a Ford Model T and its complicated layout compared to cars of today

# Production Code Title Director Airdate
3 Series 2 Episode 3 Gary Deans 25 May 2009
Guest: Anh Do
Review: Warren reviews the Maserati GranTurismo S. He marvels at its beauty and how it is much improved compared to its base version that it is now a real sports car.
Challenge: Make your own Ute: This time Steve and Warren decide to build their own Utes. Steve takes a Honda Prelude and turns it into the "Honda Prelute" while Warren converts a Toyota Tarago into his ute.

They're first challenge is to do Circle Work which both cars successfully do albeit Steve does it in reverse due to his car being front-wheel drive. Then they test its load capabilities with the prelute being loaded up with a heap of very stinky manure. When taken off road, the prelute is ruined by trying a to ford a large puddle, while the Tarago loses its door whilst trying to make it up a hill.

Challenge 2: James finds out if he can become a stunt driver. He learns techniques like tight figure-of-eights, 90-degree and 180-degree handbrake turns, J-turn and 2-wheel driving. He then auditions for the Hollywood Stunt Driver show at Warner Bros Movie World.
Old Ad: Chrysler Sigma
In Studio Stunt:

James Morrison tests the Volvo XC60s ability to stop itself at low speeds if in danger of crashing into the car in front

# Production Code Title Director Airdate
4 Series 2 Episode 4 Gary Deans 1 June 2009
Guest: Liesel Jones
Review: Warren reviews the new KIA Soul and compares it to other Asian cars that "looked like boxes."
Challenge: Steve tries to find out if he could teach James' dad (who was a pastor) how to drift in the Ford Falcon XR8 ute. Later Warren and James, feeling annoyed that Steve is constantly bragging about his ability to drift in any car, challenges him for a drift-act. James brings a Chrysler limosine (which is near impossible to drift), Warren brings an ice cream truck (which Steve easily drifts until the engine broke), while Steve brings a racing truck (which he could drift easily, causing everyone to be jealous thus everyone eventually drifts with it, until Warren broke it).
Old Ad: Holden Turbo Smooth
In Studio Stunt:
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
5 Series 2 Episode 5 Gary Deans 8 June 2009
Guest: H.G. Nelson
Review:
Challenge:
Old Ad: Ford Escort
In Studio Stunt:
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
6 Series 2 Episode 6 Gary Deans 15 June 2009
Guest: Amanda Keller & Brendan Jones
Review:
Challenge:
Old Ad: Ford It's the Going Thing
In Studio Stunt:
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
7 Series 2 Episode 7 Gary Deans 22 June 2009
Guest: Gary Sweet
Review:
Challenge:
Old Ad: Holden Torana
In Studio Stunt:
# Production Code Title Director Airdate
8 Series 2 Episode 8 Gary Deans 29 June 2009
Guest: Gyton Grantley
Review: Steve reviews the legendary Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III. Around the track it was third from the bottom but Steve put it at the top because it's very special.
Challenge:
Old Ad: Ford 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Cortina (6 Cylinder)
In Studio Stunt:

Weekly ratings

Episode Original Airdate Timeslot Viewers1 Nightly Rank (#) Weekly Rank (#)
#1 11 May 2009 Monday
7:30 P.M.		 689,000[1] 25[2] 94[1]
#2 18 May 2009 628,000[3] 25[3] ---2
#3 25 May 2009 608,000[4] 30[4] ---2
#4 1 June 2009 595,000[5] 30[5] ---2
#5 8 June 2009 545,000[6] 32[6] ---2
#6 15 June 2009 550,000[7] 31[7] ---2
#7 22 June 2009 510,000[8] 32[8] ---2
#8 29 June 2009 487,000[9] 34[9] ---2
Series Average --- --- 573,000[10] 30 ---
1 Viewer numbers are based on OzTAM data for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth combined.
2 Did not make top 100

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 TV Ratings: Week 20
  2. ↑ Week 20
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 TV Ratings: Week 21
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 TV Ratings: Week 22
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 TV Ratings: Week 23
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Who We Are update: Week 24
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Who We Are update: Week 25
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Who We Are update: Week 26
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Who We Are update: Week 27
  10. ↑ Top 1000 2009