Rutledge Wood, co-host of Top Gear USA posted on his Facebook page that the History Channel has canceled Top Gear USA. Tuesday, June 28th will be the final broadcast of the show. Top Gear USA hosts Rutledge Wood, Adam Ferrara and Tanner Foust have fought an uphill battle to win over fans since their October 2011 debut meeting with some success.
Wood posted the following on his Facebook page:
I’m very sad to say, but Tuesday night’s ‪#‎TopGear‬ on HISTORY is the last TG US that we have shot for you. I’m not saying Top Gear on HISTORYis done, but it’s done for the immediate future on @History .
I remember the day that I got the phone call to ask if I’d be interested in talking to one of the producers about possibly being one of the hosts of the US’s version of the world’s most iconic car show. It’s been an amazing ride for sure, and although I don’t think the show is done, it appears that it’s done with our friends at History, and we’re incredibly grateful for being a part of the A&E Networks family.
I have had so much fun with Tanner Foust and Adam Ferrara they really are like brothers to me. We’ve traveled this amazing country and to some of the coolest places on earth together, and even in the hardest moments, it’s been a total dream come true.
The three of us will stick together and hope to bring you much more Top Gear USA, albeit it somewhere else it appears.
To the FANS- we cannot say enough how much we truly appreciate each and every one of you. You have always been there for us in great numbers, and we really do love you all. You are the reason shows like ours exist, and you’re also the reason we’ve been so lucky to do this show for so long together. We never dreamed how many families would sit and watch our show and laugh together. We never knew how many couples would sit and watch three goofballs go out and try to make each other laugh. And yet, you all watched…and you told other people and shared in the joy.
To everyone who worked on TGUS- thank you. For everything. You’re our family and you’re the reason we got to do this for so many years together.
So here’s a toast to all of you out there. I hope you’ll watch Tuesday night and enjoy the last show we made for you. We took a trip of a lifetime down to Cuba and drove classic American cars from the 50’s down there, and I can tell you it’s one of the coolest things we have ever done together.
Cheers and lots of love, Rutledge
While their version of Top Gear was never in the league of the UK version, the production and entertainment value of the show had improved over the past five years. Still, the bottled lightning of Top Gear UK was impossible for Top Gear USA to capture as their cast members could never duplicate the chemistry of Top Gear UK.
Things have changed for the new Top Gear UK, there are some disturbing rumors you can read about (Matt LeBlanc quitting Top Gear UK?).
While Wood and Ferrara have improved their onscreen credibility, it’s Tanner Foust who has the largest presence outside of Top Gear USA. His successful racing and stunt career, along with his on-camera charisma, should keep him in the forefront of other high-end automotive productions for the foreseeable future.
While Top Gear USA technically competed with TFLcar and TFLtruck, we hope the cast and crew land on their feet soon.
Speaking of Top Gear USA…
