Top Gear and Youtube isn’t a new concept. In fact we’ve all enjoyed Top Gear videos on Youtube before, the only issue being that they haven’t been strictly legal. In the past it has been a serious cause of concern for the BBC, and a thorn in the side for Youtube, who’ve been under pressure to shut down the illegal uploaders at the BBC’s insistence.

While their past may be rocky, the BBC has taken a leaf out of the “if you can’t beat them, join them” book of lateral thinking, embraced Youtube and set up its very own dedicated Youtube channel - and that’s great news for all of us!

With around 30 feature clips kicking things off, we can now all enjoy the antics of the Top Gear crew, the interviews, the hot-laps and of course, everyone’s favourite - the challenges. You can check out the new Top Gear Youtube channel here. There is also a video presentation below, from Top Gear magazine editor Michael Harvey, introducing the new channel.

In the meantime, if it’s the Top Gear live studio audience experience that you crave, then you can pretty much forget seeing the UK crew in action for the next decade or two. But, if you’re an Australian fan and want to show your support for the new Australian Top Gear team, then applications are now open for folks wanting a place in the studio audience.

Clicking here will take you to the online studio audience application form.