Plans for motoring mayhem

New attractions are lined up for the Top Gear festival, including a live theatre production, to be held in February next year. Photo / Supplied

Following the 2009 sell-out World Tour, Top Gear Live is returning to Auckland with a spectacular new show, February 18-21, 2010 at the ASB Showgrounds, Auckland.

When the Top Gear Live circus pulled into town in February this year, it rapidly sold out all 10 shows, with thousands of enthusiastic fans flocking from all over the country, to see the motoring thrills and spills, super-charged stunts and, of course, the infamous presenters - Jeremy Clarkson and company - who combine to make this the most exciting motoring show in the world.

When it returns in 2010, it brings a spectacular line-up of new attractions to keep the fans in Auckland on the edge of their seats.

In addition to an all-new Top Gear Live theatre show and motor show, there will be an entire festival of motoring to sample, including the Top Gear Live Track, with time-trials and car parades; Marque Park, a display of the classic, the iconic and the bizarre; Stunt School, with top stunt drivers teaching the tricks of the trade, and Driver Experience, where fans can get behind the wheel of some powerful vehicles.

The live theatre production is aimed at creating an in-your-face, real life motoring experience, with all the stunts and mayhem associated with the television show. There will be plenty of driving sequences and possibly the popular car soccer.

There'll also be impossibly-priced supercars, scathing wit, comedy, stunts and the ubiquitous explosions and crashes. Nearby will be a gallery of motoring paraphernalia on display, along with a showroom full of prestige, up-market cars.

Joining Jeremy Clarkson on tour next year will be James May, and they will be joined onstage by our own Greg Murphy, who played the role of third presenter (and the butt of all the sheep jokes) in this year's edition of the show.

"Fans will not believe what we have in store for them this year," said Murphy.

"This is a real opportunity to get hands-on with some fantastic motor vehicles, as well as see a spectacular stage show, the likes of which has never been seen in New Zealand before.

"Tickets will sell out - fast."