New Top Gear Australia cast announced

Comedian-turned-actor Shane Jacobson will join ACP motoring editor Ewen Page and Steve Pizzati in the third series of Top Gear Australia TV -- the first series to air on its new home at Channel Nine after the Top Gear franchise switched from SBS at the beginning of 2010.

Jacobson is best known for his star role in Kenny, an award-winning mockumentary-style movie which he also wrote and co-produced, although he has since appeared in numerous other movies, television shows and stage performances.

Page is the founding editor-in-chief of Top Gear Australia magazine, which was established in Australia in July 2008, and a former editor of Street Machine and other ACP titles.

Pizzati, a part time race driver and advanced driver trainer, is the only presenter to have appeared in all three local series.

Filming of the new series has commenced ahead of broadcast some time later in the year.

Until now, Jacobson has kept his passion for cars a closely guarded secret. He describes himself as a closet car collector, and is building up an assortment of classic Holdens. In the collection so far are a Holden EH sedan, a HJ Kingswood sedan and a HQ Kingswood ute. He also has a current model Holden Commodore V8 as his daily driver.

However, Jacobson says he has plans to fill out his collection with some classic Fords, and has competed in a tarmac rally in a current model Ford Falcon GT.

Jacobsen is also a fan of machines on two wheels, having owned a Honda CBR 1000 until five years ago; he’s currently restoring a late 1970s Honda CB550/4K.

Note: the author of this story, Carsales Network’s Joshua Dowling, is an editorial producer on Top Gear Australia TV

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