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Top Gear (series 1)

Top Gear (series 1)
Starring
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network BBC Two
Original release 20 October (2002-10-20) – 29 December 2002 (2002-12-29)
Series chronology
Next →
Series 2
List of Top Gear episodes

The first series of the relaunched motoring show Top Gear, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2002 and consisted of 10 episodes, beginning on 20 October and concluding on the 29 December. It was presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe, but while Clarkson and Hammond would be permanent hosts up until the end of Series 22, Dawe was a host until the conclusion of the series, whereupon he was axed from the show.

Following the cancellation of the original format of Top Gear in December 2001, previous format presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman decided to revive the show in a different format for the following year. These new changes included the use of television studio segments and challenges, and a revamped presentation of reviews, unlike the previous show which focused on the production of cars. Clarkson later announced that he would present the new show, with Wilman serving as executive producer, whilst motoring journalists Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe joined as the new presenters, both of whom had not hosted the previous format.

Clarkson explained in late 2015 that he originally wanted James May to join him on the hosting line-up, but that May didn't feel that the new format could be successful and declined, leading to Dawe being recruited. When May learnt about the ratings for the first series, he decided to join the show for its second series, leading to Dawe being axed shortly afterwards.

In the first episode of the relaunched Top Gear, Clarkson looks into the Citroën Berlingo Multispace and the Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3, while Hammond reviews the Mazda6. The presenters also see if its possible to be undetected by a speed camera by driving past it very fast, while back in the studio, they reveal the test track designed for them by Lotus, for both Power Laps by The Stig, and for new segment, "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car", with Harry Enfield being the first celebrity to set a time in the segment's Suzuki Liana.


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Wikipedia

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