Top Gear Russia

Top Gear Russia (Russian: Top Gear: Русская версия, romanized: Top Gear: Russkaya versiya) is a Russian motoring television series that ran on Ren-TV, and was based on the British program Top Gear produced by the BBC. It premiered on 22 February 2009.[1] The show was cancelled due to low ratings and aired for the last time on 25 October 2009.

Top Gear Russia
Top Gear Russia title card
GenreMotoring
Created byBBC Worldwide
Developed byREN-TV
Presented byNikolai Fomenko
Mikhail Petrovsky
Oskar Kuchera
Theme music composerDickey Betts
Opening theme"Jessica"
Country of originUK (Top Gear)
Russia (adaptation)
Original language(s)Russian
No. of series1
Production
Executive producer(s)Cameron Miller
Producer(s)BBC Worldwide
Ren-TV
Production location(s)Moscow
Running time60 minutes (w/ commercials)
Release
Original networkRen-TV
Original release22 February –
25 October 2009
Chronology
Related showsTop Gear (current format)
Top Gear Australia
Top Gear (US)
Top Gear Korea

Presenters

The hosts of Top Gear Russia were:

  • Nikolai Fomenko, former musician (as part of the band Secret), former race car driver, theater actor and TV presenter. He is also involved in the creation of the Russian supercar Marussia.
  • Mikhail Petrovsky, actor, automotive journalist and blogger.
  • Oskar Kuchera, ex-MTV Russia presenter and actor.
  • The Stig, a local version of the mysterious driver from the original British show.[1]

Segments

Power Lap

Similar to the original UK series, Top Gear Russia features a Power Lap segment, in this case held in an abandoned airfield in Mnyovniki. To inaugurate the track and populate the lap board in the first episode, the hosts invited numerous local celebrities to participate and treated them to a picnic with shashlyk and a smoking samovar.

Lap times
PosTimeCarConditions
11:12.00 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrioletdamp
21:12.96 Nissan GT-Rwet
31:13.16 1985 Porsche 911damp
41:13.88 Bentley Continental GT Speeddamp and icy
51:14.00 Alpina B3moist
61:14.83 Lamborghini Gallardosome snow+summer tyres
71:16.85 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadsterdamp
81:17.85 Aston Martin DB9wet
91:19.00 Ferrari 550M
101:21.01 Range Rover Sportdamp
111:22.12 Mazda MX-5damp
121:22.27 Fiat 500
131:49.17 Volvo XC90snow
142:08.71 Land Rover Defender 90 SVX soft topice+snow
152:15.93 UAZ 469 Off-Road modifiedice+snow
162:23.25 Audi R8snow
17DNF Ferrari F430snow

Star in a Reasonably Priced Car

The Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment are mirrored with Russia's own version. The car used is a race-prepped Lada Kalina. Unlike in the UK version of Top Gear, the lap format for this segment is different from that of the Stig's power laps.

Cool Wall

Introduced in episode 2 of season 1, the Cool Wall mirrors the popular segment from the UK original.

References
  1. "In the Spotlight: This week, Ren-TV unveiled the Russian version of the British show about cars, "Top Gear."". The Moscow Times. 27 February 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
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