Top Gear’s producer Andy Wilman has blogged about Lewis Hamilton and his impressions about the guy. Word is Hamilton wants to come back once it’s dry and try again. What a guy.

Also new is 11 images taken at the rehearsal for this Sunday’s episode. Check them out if you want a sneak peak.

The week has finally come. We’ve known for about a month now, but this is just a reminder to make sure to check back here on Sunday for the Top Gear episode where British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton will be the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car and taking on the Stig to see who’s faster in the old Suzuki Liana.

More details on TopGear.com.

Man, I really gotta stop making these release posts so bland.

Well anyway, the episode is out.

TopGear.com has a photo gallery from the rehearsal for this week’s Top Gear. As always, it looks to be a good one!

More on the upcoming episode on our forums.

Ben Parkinson lost his legs in Afghanistan and watched tons of Top Gear during his recovery. Jeremy heard of him and setup a day for him to spend a day with the Top Gear team.

Ben saw his hero, test driver The Stig, pull some jaw-dropping stunts in a £350,000 Ascari A10 supercar and £160,000 Aston Martin DBS at BBC2’s Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

[Source: The Sun]

Telly favourite Richard Hammond is throwing a £20,000 “thank you” party to the medics who saved him after his 288mph jet car crash.

Coach-loads of 100 doctors, nurses and air ambulance staff are taking the 200-mile trip to London for the bash.

Last night a source close to the Top Gear host — nicknamed Hamster by co-star Jeremy Clarkson — said: “This is very much NOT a showbiz do.

“It is a party to thank the medics who saved Richard’s life.”

How very cool of Richard.

[Source: The Sun]

If you’ve been trying to download a torrent today, chances are you’ve been getting an error message over on Mininova. Seems they are having server troubles.

Not much I can do about that, but I can link you to the torrent for the latest Top Gear episode on isoHunt.com.

UPDATE 11/21: Mininova seems to be back up and running as usual.

World first for SBS with local version of Top Gear

Following a major deal with BBC Worldwide, SBS will build on its association with Top Gear — a program that has aired on the network since 2005.

In a world first, SBS has secured the rights to make a local version of the show. It has also extended its commitment to the UK version for the life of the series.

Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide’s Australasian partner, will produce the local version, which will transmit on SBS in 2008.

“This is fantastic news for SBS, for Top Gear fans and for Australian audiences,” SBS Director of Content, Matt Campbell said.

“Top Gear is a unique show and one of BBC Worldwide’s biggest global properties.
In making it, we won’t simply replicate the UK series with an Australian version of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond or James May. SBS plans to make a program that is uniquely and quintessentially Australian.”

“It is very exciting for us to have done this deal with SBS,” added Julie Dowding, BBC Worldwide Australasia’s Head of Sales. “We are very proud that the first global deal for a local version of Top Gear has been done here in Australia.”

Top Gear is the BBC’s top-rating, high-octane mix of performance cars, adrenalin, comedy and celebrities. It test drives and brutally appraises the world’s most popular cars with startling honesty — along with celebrity laps, irreverent wraps and breathtaking stunts and driving.

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson said: “I’m delighted that Top Gear is going to Australia. Maybe the first guest could be Jonny Wilkinson.”

Debate is high on our forums as to whether it’ll be any good, but even if it’s not, note that SBS will continue showing episodes of the show for the life of the series which of course is a good thing for our Australian friends.

[Source: eBroadcast Australia]

Yep, it’s out. Enjoy.

As usual, TopGear.com has some pictures from the recording of this Sunday’s Top Gear. If you can’t wait and want a sneak peek, then here you go.