Saw the first one. Ok but was disappointingly not as entertaining as the original UK version. But then I saw the 2nd episode. Much, much better. Mitsubishi Lancer versus skiers in Mammoth, Aston Martin V8 & V12 Vantage.

The 3 hosts still need to gel as well as the UK hosts have but hopefully that will come with time (read as 'very soon'). Not sure I agree on the use of 'the Stig'.

Their test track looks to be somewhere in S. Cal. Wonder where exactly. Anyone know? Also wouldn't mind being in the audience for the filming on one of their episodes.

The dirt area is El Mirage. It is a dry lake located in the Apple Valley area that is used for a lot of movie and ad gmidshots.

It is a BLM managed OHV area. There are a number of local midget racers that use the area in addition to wind surfing, and motorcycle races.

The hard surface area is either the Glen Helen Raceway east of Riverside or the former George AFB that is in Apple Valley area near El Mirage. CHP uses the Glen Helen Speedway for high-speed driver training.

I am leaning towards the former AFB due to the buildings.

They are trying to hard to be like the original and feels a bit fake. It's still a decent show they need to make it their own.

UK Top gear is MUCH better.

I watched now two episodes and if I was part of the original Top Gear, I'd be pretty pissed off.

Poorly excuted, IMO.

Yeah the hosts are still not as good as the UK ones are. Tanner Foust as knowledgeable a driver as he may be, just isn't entertaining on TV IMHO.

Also, the musical score simply & film production just isn't up to Top Gear par IMHO. Lots of growing to do. As fickle as a US audience is this will be a very steep learning curve for the show and I fear it simply won't have time to evolve as it needs to to survive.

As I don't expect it to be as good as Euro Top Gear, I'm not that disappointed. I will give it a chance, they have a tough act to follow. It all seems to be forced, and you cannot force something that is in some ways a magical, lucky coincidence. The US crew has to be funny and cool, or they will fail. The UK crew only needs to be what they are.

I had thought that Jay Leno would have been a good choice for a US Top Gear host. He has a track record (no pun intended) of being both a comedian and a genuine car guy. Some may not like his humor, but any auto enthusiast can respect his love for the automobile.

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Agreed that the chemistry between hosts can't be forced. It will either be there or it won't although I too believe it may take more than a few episodes to gel. Problem is... I'm not sure the typically fickle US audience who are used to instant gratification will be willing to wait that long.



His humor is ok but I think they may have a tough time affording him as I'm sure his fee will be $$$

The writing really sucks - I don't think the writers are car guys at all... Maybe they ARE car guys, just not writers....

Musical score also sucks unlike the UK Top Gear.