So You Wanna See Speed Channel's Top Gear Competitor?

[Blake Noble]

So You Wanna See Speed Channel's Top Gear Competitor?

By black-knight (Self-Appointed Tries to be Somewhat Regular News Contributor) for Cheers and Gears.com

23rd December, 2010

No, obviously Tanner Foust isn't jumping ship from the History Channel to publish a book or go to another show and we have no earthly clue where the, uh, Billy Ray Cyrus impersonator pictured alongside Foust and Adam Carolla (who winds up fitting into this whole picture) has wound up at, but you do remember reading the news lately that Speed Channel is planning a show that will take the wind out of Top Gear America's sails, yeah? Well apparently the precursor, or pilot if you will, to this still infantile American motoring show has been available to view on YouTube ... for a stone age now.

Enter the Smoking Tire, a successor to the underground favorite webisode series Garage 419, that began filming reviews last year. (Okay, so both it and The Smoking Tire have found online success -- apparently great online success -- but yours truly hasn't heard about anything about either series until just tonight meaning that I'm somehow still living under a rock.) The host of the Smoking Tire is Matt Farah, who will also be hosting Speed Channel's Fifth Top Gear program thing. Farah is no Jezza, and has a slightly cut-and-dry on screen personality, but then again Rutledge Wood over at the rival show on History isn't Jezza either. On the other hand, Farah seems to have some stable journalistic chops, so a core element to a show of this particular ilk may be here with some force.

Watch the video after the jump to get your first taste of what is about to head our way, courtesy of the Speed Channel. Drop a line or two on what your thoughts are as well (it's always a blast to read).

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The Smoking Tire

[JBsZ06]

Matts cool as was the show but a track that never required a shift out of second gear ?

I do think the show will be a hit!

[Intrepidation]

Seen it, it's a little more interesting than Motorweek, but nowhere near as entertaining as Top Gear (which for those who seem unclear about this, Top Gear is an entertainment show that has cars).

[JBsZ06]

from: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tning-lap.html

The February 2010 C&D just did their "Lightning Lap" at Virginia International Raceway.

Here are the results.

Corvette ZR1 - 2:51.8

KTM X bow - 2:52.3

Murcielago LP67-4.5V 2:53.9

Ariel Atom 3 - 2:57.6

Corvette Grand Sport - 2:58.8

Audi R8 5.2 - 3:05.0

Lotus Exige S260 Sport - 3:05.0

M3 - 3:05.4

Cayman S - 3:05.8

911 Carrera S - 3:05.8

Jag XKR - 3:06.4

GT 500 - 3:07.4

Audi TTS - 3:08.4

Camaro SS - 3:09.5

Audi S4 - 3:10.8

Nissan Nismo 370Z - 3:12.0

Mustang GT - 3:13.3

Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 - 3:14.8

Mazdaspeed 3 - 3:16.2

WRX - 3:16.6

Mini Cooper JC Works - 3:17.1

VW GTI - 3:19.3

[smk4565]

No one will ever compete with the British Top Gear, it is so far and away better than any car show, because it is indeed about entertainment. Not like Motorweek which is a monotone voice over of a car being put though some basic tests and seat adjustments.

Matt is right about the Camaro, good styling but you can't see out of it, and the interior is all plastic and just looks retro cheesey.

[balthazar]

Seen it, it's a little more interesting than Motorweek, but nowhere near as entertaining as Top Gear (which for those who seem unclear about this, Top Gear is an entertainment show that has cars).

We all get that TGUS is "entertainment", so are just about all (non-documentary) movies in national release... that doesn't mean it's necessarily GOOD entertainment.

-- -- -- -- --

Just going by this guy's on-screen persona, I don't hate it. Beyond that will take more input.

[JBsZ06]

Matts a good guy and trying hard. Not a big fan of that little 2nd gear only track test but at least they are trying.

Top Gear USA is bit too campy for me so far. I'm sure it will get better as time goes on.

Shorter segments...and more segments that are testing data ...

A little less of the segments that are totally goofball.

I realize thats top gears deal but I believe it needs a little more stig testing of various vehicles and a little less filling oldsmobiles with water or driving with as many sodas around a track..

Its a bit slap stick to see the fiero roll down the grade and into the cutlass..etc..

Some joking around is great...but too much can be counter productive..

Motorweeks a fine 30 year veteran of Television but its more like an infomercial than testing of various vehicles..

How many of you can really state which vehicles motorweek panned in one of its road tests?

Its very rare which is why it gets a bit of an infomerical status..

I enjoy the show but they pretty much like every vehicle they test..

JMO