Leading independent production companies Gaucho Productions and Mixed Zone joined forces to produce 5 live Drives for BBC Radio 5 live. This one-off, hour long show was packed with the latest news, gossip, road tests and interviews from the world of motoring. Broadcast on Saturday 7th July 2012, it was hosted by Gaucho’s md Alistair Weaver and car loving presenter and actress Lisa Rogers.
5 live Drives can be heard now on the BBC iPlayer.
Casting a critical eye over the British car industry – once proud home to giants like Triumph, Austin and Rover – the show looked at what the future now holds for the business of motoring in Britain. Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable, F1 team boss Ross Brawn and BBC business editor Robert Peston joined the debate.
The show provided the perfect precursor to 5 live’s commentary of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and included discussion of the technology present in today’s new cars – and revealed the cars of tomorrow.
The presenters also road tested some of the hottest new models of the past year, including the Porsche Boxster, Volkswagen Up and Range Rover Evoque – plus one of the latest electric cars, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Further advice came from Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, who helped listeners save cash on their car bills by cutting insurance premiums and saving on forecourt fuel prices. The show even explained how you can own your dream car and make money.
Gaucho Productions has extensive experience producing automotive content, but this is the first time it has worked on a 5 live show. Producer Geoff Dibben said: “It’s been great to work with Mixed Zone and 5 live to create an entertaining and engaging show. The concept of a motoring show on the radio has been really well received by everyone we’ve spoken to in the automotive industry and beyond. Gaucho Productions has previously focused on film and television work but we’ve really enjoyed bringing our experience and passion to a radio production.”
Rob Smith from Mixed Zone said: “Working with Gaucho Productions on this exciting new venture has been a great adventure. Lisa and Alistair have a natural chemistry on air and I firmly believe there’s an important place on the radio for a fun, informative and broad ranging motoring show.”
Talking about the new show, BBC Radio 5 live Deputy Controller Jonathan Wall said, “5 live Drives was a great addition to our line-up on the Silverstone F1 weekend. It was a show that appealed not just to confirmed petrolheads, but all of the 38million motorists in the UK today.”
