Shakedown!

[Seansene]

So here's the funny thing - we get cable primarily to watch F1, and realize that far more entertaining is the rally/travel/entertainment show, AXN Shakedown, hosted by DJ, VJ and comedian, Neil Cole.

 

This week covered the Acropolis Rally in Greece, which meant lots and lots of dust. I'm in constant awe of these guys who slide their 300hp cars around the loose surfaces at unbelievable velocities, but also shocked at the spectators who position themselves so close to the edge of the narrow tracks that they must surely act as human bowling pins should the cars step out of line even a little. I'm not sure who's braver.

 

Sebastien Loeb as usual made it look easy, while the rest of the field struggled with problems of all sorts. With a huge margin of 1:36 min, he wrapped up an unprecedented five consecutive wins (he would go on to six at Rally Argentina). A huge surprise was privateer Mikko Hirvonen in his Focus, who embarrassed many a works driver by winning 3 stages and finishing fifth.

 

But what made Shakedown so appealing, even to rally freshie like Lu, was the presentation of the programme, and the general lack of airs in the rally community itself. Squeezed into the one-hour show was Neil taking a tour of Athens' historical sites, finding the best place for Greek kebabs, tasting Greek coffee, playing Greek blues, getting a helicopter ride from Loeb, arranging a tug-of-war between the Ford and Subaru mechanics, playing scissors-paper-stone with junior drivers, as well as cajolling the drivers to put on their best philosopher expressions. And all this apart from the rally action. Whew.

 

When was the last time anyone saw F1 drivers talk, outside of scheduled press conferences?

[Soya]

that's why i cancelled starsports (actually, shld be called soccer channel instead) .

 

hope SCV doesn't smarten up and lump WRC into it too and ketok us $15/mth.

[Seansene]

SCV is profit-driven. I wouldn't put it past them at all

[King]

i watch the show last night also...enjoy more than F1.

i like the part when they r going to drive the heli the sebast drove the normal c4 like a rally car

[Zizou]

havent watched shakedown, but bbc topgear was my fav motor show. wish its on ch5..

[Seansene]

Have you got cable? It's also on Sundays at 1800, AXN. Sports, travel, humour... what else could you want?

[Seansene]

I think he did it just to scare Neil. Great fun!

[Zizou]

on axn? great! i stopped subscribing to bbc so thot no more top gear...

[Seansene]

Sorry, I meant Shakedown's on AXN, not Top Gear.

[Beachboys]

Topgear shown on which cable channel n wat time ah

[Reliable]

that's why i cancelled starsports (actually, shld be called soccer channel instead) .

 

hope SCV doesn't smarten up and lump WRC into it too and ketok us $15/mth.

 

not to worry. The AXN got the rights for WRC this season. Unless next season it goes to starsports or espn. then bo bian.