William Fichtner, Tom 'Wookie' Ford to co-host 'Top Gear America'

March 20 (UPI) -- Actor William Fichtner, champion drag racer Antron Brown and journalist Tom "Wookie" Ford are to host a new show called Top Gear America.

The eight, hour-long episodes of the car-themed docu-series are expected to start airing on BBC America later this year. 

"We are big fans of the mix of cars, credibility and charisma that adds up to the winning formula for Top Gear, and couldn't be happier that BBCA is now the home for the franchise in the United States, with Top Gear America joining the original show on our network," Sarah Barnett, president of BBC America, said in a statement. "Bill, Antron and Wookie are serious gear-heads who never take themselves too seriously. It will be quite the trip."

A U.S. version of Britain's Top Gear -- starring Tanner Foust, Adam Ferrara and Rutledge Wood -- aired on America's History channel 2010-16.