Passion for Top Gear Remains

SYDNEY – February 17, 2010: The world’s number one cars and driving program, Top Gear, is moving to Channel 9 and Shannons is set to remain firmly in the passenger seat. Shannons’ has announced that it will continue its commitment as a lead sponsor of this highly popular program following the move to the Nine Network.

The move reinforces Top Gear’s popularity with Australian audiences, which is expected to grow even further with this latest season.

“The program has high appeal with motor enthusiasts and this fits perfectly with our core brand proposition” said Shannons Executive Manager Marketing, Mark Behr. “We believe that Channel 9 will further grow the audience and appeal of the program.”

Shannons has been associated with Top Gear since 2006 and believes the program’s new network and timeslot will only fuel Australia’s escalating passion for anything car related, “It’s a pity there aren’t more peak automotive programs available.”

Mr Behr explains, “It’s testament to its popularity that a lifestyle ‘auto-tainment’ program can run in peak viewing times. In fact it is the only motoring program that has a prime time slot and attracts a sizeable audience.”

The first episode of the 14th season is a special two-hour event and features Australian movie star Eric Bana and an Olympic winter games sequence. It airs this Tuesday at 7:30pm on Nine.

Other Hollywood celebrities to lookout for in this season include Sherlock Holmes director Guy Ritchie and star of Frost/Nixon Michael Sheen.