By BRIDGET COOK
THE City of Casey has added a major drawcard to its 2014 Cranbourne GP Run with the announcement of actor and motorsport enthusiast Shane Jacobson as the celebrity guest.
The Australian award-winning actor, presenter and entertainer will wave-off the thousands of riders from High Street Cranbourne as they travel en-masse to the Australian Motorcycle GP on Saturday 18 October.
Shane said he was very excited to be part of this year’s GP Run.
“It involves being outdoors, meeting new friends and motorbikes; can life get any better than that? I doubt it,” he said.
Shane has a long list of silver screen credits to his name including Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Legacy, co-starring with Paul Hogan in Charlie and Boots, Cactus with Bryan Brown and Kenny, playing the title character and winning an AFI Award for Best Lead Actor in 2006.
His small screen appearances include roles in Beaconsfield, as well as ABC TV dramas Time of Our Lives, The Mystery of the Hansom Cab and in the Jack Irish telemovies with Guy Pearce.
He also co-presented The Great Australian Bake Off.
In 2013, Shane became a best-selling Australian author after releasing his biography The Long Road to Overnight Success.
Currently, he is host and producer of Hangin’ with Hoges for the ABC and co-host and executive producer of Manspace on Go.
Shane’s love of acting is only matched by his passion for motorsport, and these two worlds collided when he co-hosted Top Gear Australia in 2010 and 2011.
He is currently co-hosting Top Gear Festival with UK hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Steve Pizatti and Australian racing legend Craig Lowndes.
When Shane is not in front of the camera, he can be found behind the wheel of a racing car.
He has raced in the Australian rally championship, and driven most Australian race circuits, including Bathurst’s Mount Panorama Circuit with the Pedders Racing Team, with whom he’s still driving.
City of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett said the council was excited to welcome Shane to High Street in Cranbourne for what is the city’s biggest annual event.
“Having worked in radio, television, film and theatre, Shane is instantly recognisable and will be a big drawcard for the event,” he said.
“Shane is also a serious motor enthusiast and we are thrilled to have him officially wave-off the thousands of riders heading en-masse to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island.”
The GP Run will be held on Saturday 18 October from 8.15am, with Shane waving riders off from a cherry-picker at 10am.
For more information contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200 or visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/gprun.
The 2014 Cranbourne GP Run is proudly supported by media partner Star News Group.
