



18.10.02



FACTUAL & ARTS TV

Countdown to Top Gear debut for new presenters





Two months ago Jason Dawe was training people how to sell used cars, but from Sunday night (20 October) he'll be stepping off the forecourt and onto the studio floor as the new presenter of BBC TWO's Top Gear.

Jason, along with fellow new-boy Richard Hammond, takes to the screen with Jeremy Clarkson, as the nation's best-loved motoring show returns to BBC TWO.

The newly extended hour-long Top Gear has been given a new home in a purpose-built complex deep in the British countryside, where a specially-designed Top Gear test track has been built.



Celebrity guests, industry experts, racing drivers and car nuts will join Jeremy, Jason and Richard at the complex where they will give new cars a thorough going over to sort out what's hot and what's not in the motoring world.



With lots of new features, Top Gear also has a tame racing driver The Stig, who will put performance cars through their paces on the Top Gear test track.

Jason Dawe left his job as trainer of used car salespeople so that he could join the Top Gear team.



He says: "When I told them I was leaving to present Top Gear they didn't believe me. I told them three times and they just laughed.

"It is still the ultimate car programme and presenting it is the dream job for anyone in the motor industry.

"The new format and longer running time will give us more scope for covering areas like used cars which will be great fun for me."

Richard Hammond joins the BBC after presenting motoring programmes on Cable and Satellite TV, and says: "When working on motoring programmes, Top Gear is the show you aspire to present.

"It's the original and the best. Over the years it's moved with the times and I'm really pleased to become associated with it."

Jeremy himself is back on the programme with a vengeance after nearly a four year absence, and says it's brilliant to be back on Top Gear.

"I love cars, I love putting new programmes together, and I think this new look Top Gear will be really great."

Both Jason and Richard are very excited about working with Jeremy, 'motor-mouth' of the motoring industry.

Richard says: "It's great to be working with Jeremy. Whether people love him or loathe him, they still want to hear what he has to say about motoring."

And Jason adds: "With Jeremy back you can be sure it will be a fun and full-on return to Top Gear."

Top Gear is back on the road on BBC TWO on Sunday 20 October, 8.00pm.





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