Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Jeremy Clarkson drifts a Jaguar XKR Convertible... in flippers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/video-jeremy-clarkson-drifts-a-jaguar-xkr-convertible-in-fli/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/video-jeremy-clarkson-drifts-a-jaguar-xkr-convertible-in-fli/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/video-jeremy-clarkson-drifts-a-jaguar-xkr-convertible-in-fli/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jeremy Clarkson, flippers and a Jaguar XKR Convertible - Click above to watch the video

We missed the first part of this skit, as the video you're about to watch isn't from Top Gear, but rather from JC's newest DVD Dual Duel. Still, it does feature the Stig. And some ridiculous-yet-somehow-jealousy-inducing car-antics. Apparently, Jezza bragged that the Jag is such an easy to handle drifter all-star, that he could smash an apple... while wearing flippers.

But he's not the only one wearing ridiculous shoes while hammering a big powerful car around a track. The Stig attempts to smash apples in a pair of wellingtons. The results, while absurd, juvenile and predictable (guess who has the easier time making applesauce), are still must-watch gearhead television. So without further ado, make the jump and watch the video.

[Source: YouTube via Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jeremy Clarkson drifts a Jaguar XKR Convertible... in flippers

VIDEO: Jeremy Clarkson drifts a Jaguar XKR Convertible... in flippers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DriftDriftingJaguarJaguar XKRJaguar XKR ConvertibleJaguarXkrJaguarXkrConvertibleJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonStigThe StigTheStigTop GearTopGearXKR ConvertibleXkrConvertibleMon, 16 Nov 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i>: A little history about everybody's favorite TV show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/top-gear-a-little-history-about-everybodys-favorite-tv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/top-gear-a-little-history-about-everybodys-favorite-tv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/top-gear-a-little-history-about-everybodys-favorite-tv/#commentsFiled under: ,



What if the Stig was known as the Gimp? It's doubtful Top Gear's mysterious racing driver - or the show itself - would have proved as enormously popular. Would you walk around in a shirt proclaiming, "I Am The Gimp?" Doubtful, but if Jeremy Clarkson and the show's producer Andy Wilman had had their way, that's what we'd be calling old Stiggy. Luckily, cooler angrier heads prevailed. Though it should be noted that the Stig was, in fact, based on the Gimp from Pulp Fiction, an "anonymous masked driver who never spoke."

You can read about all that and more in a very interesting article by the Guardian's Patrick Barkham. And it's not all about the motor-mouthed Clarkson and foul-mouthed (trust us) Wilman, Richard Hammond and James May get their proper due, too. For instance, May claims that he never would have done the show had he known how successful it would be, a point Hammond quickly dismisses. We don't want to spoil it too much more, but if you're a fan of the biggest TV show in the world (350 million viewers, constantly illegally downloaded), you're going to want to have a read. Tip of Stig's blanco racing helmet to Jon!

[Source: Guardian]

Top Gear: A little history about everybody's favorite TV show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andu WilmanAnduWilmanAndy WilliamJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonpulp fictionPulpFictionRichard HammondRichardHammondStigthe gimpThe StigTheGimpTheStigTop GearTopGearThu, 12 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Top Gear</i> Season 14 returns this Sunday]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-top-gear-season-14-returns-this-sunday/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-top-gear-season-14-returns-this-sunday/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/video-top-gear-season-14-returns-this-sunday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jeremy Clarkson returns for Top Gear Season 14 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Guess what boys and girls? Everyone's favorite car-related show is coming back for a fourteenth season! That's fantastic news for gearheads everywhere, especially considering that at the end of last season there was some speculation that Top Gear wouldn't be coming back at all. But of course, here they are.

What adventures will JC, May and and Hammond (and let's not forget Stiggie!) get up to this season? We're glad you asked. A few months ago we told y'all about how the boys got caught in Romania driving some very precious metal (Lamborghini LP560-4 Spyder, Ferrari California, Aston Martin DBS Volante) up in the Carpathian Mountains on a very special highway known as the Transfagarasan Road. And that's what we get at the very end of the preview trailer.

What other adventures do the boys get up to during the very short teaser trailer? Season 14 looks to be more of the same, thankfully. You got a delivery van race, some sort of cheapo challenge where's Jezza's car catches fire, a hot hatch speeding through a drainage pipe and a homemade tank/Hummer H1. We also tracked down a late night, second bottle of whiskey type screed from one of TG's producers, but we can't make heads or tails of it. Anyhow, make the jump to watch the trailer.

[Source: BBC 2]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear Season 14 returns this Sunday

VIDEO: Top Gear Season 14 returns this Sunday originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>James MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonJezzaRichard HammondRichardHammondStigThe StigTheStigTop GearTop Gear 14Top Gear Season 14TopGearTopGear14TopGearSeason14Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> reports Stig arrested in both Dublin and Mojave Desert]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/top-gear-reports-stig-arrested-in-both-dublin-and-mojave/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/top-gear-reports-stig-arrested-in-both-dublin-and-mojave/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/top-gear-reports-stig-arrested-in-both-dublin-and-mojave/#commentsFiled under: ,



Some say he has a problem with authority. Others say he's actually capable of being in two places at the same time, and getting arrested in both. All we know is that Top Gear is making less sense with every passing day.

One of the BBC car show's myriad blogs reports that the enigmatic test driver known to all as The Stig was "sensationally" arrested by police in Dublin for some unknown incident, possibly involving assault on a "hairy biker" or a swan. Not much else was said, other than that the arresting Garda officer was friendly and that the program's live action show is set to visit the Irish city in December.

Meanwhile, TG frontman Jeremy Clarkson disclosed in his regular column in The Sunday Times that the Stig was also detained in the Mojave Desert, where the crew was apparently filming another misadventure in America. According to Clarkson, "a lorry full of soldiers" mistook Stiggy for a Muslim since he's not fat. Right... For our part, we'll take both stories with a grain of salt as big as Stig's helmet while we wait for mug shots from either incident to surface.

[Sources: Top Gear Transmission and Times Online]

Top Gear reports Stig arrested in both Dublin and Mojave Desert originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clarksondublinirelandjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonmojavemojave desertMojaveDesertstigthe stigTheStigtop geartop gear the stigTopGearTopGearTheStigSat, 24 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ultima claims <i>Top Gear</i> track record without show's authorization]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/video-ultima-claims-top-gear-track-record-without-shows/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/video-ultima-claims-top-gear-track-record-without-shows/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/video-ultima-claims-top-gear-track-record-without-shows/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ultima GTR720 around the Top Gear test track - Click above to watch the video after the break

Automotive records can be funny things. While everyone seems to be interested in knowing what vehicle is the quickest, fastest, most expensive or rarest, there always seems to be plenty of dissent when one automaker claims its product takes the coveted prize away from another. Such is the case with the Ultima GTR720.

There's no doubting that both the Ferrari FXX and the Ultima GTR are fast cars. Which car is actually faster around a race track, though, is currently up for debate. The track in question is the Dunsfold aerodrome circuit, better known to many as the Top Gear test track. Not long ago, the crew from TG invited one Stig impersonator by the name of Michael Schumacher in the super high-test Ferrari racer to take a lap around its circuit, and the tame racing driver managed to set a new record at one minute 10.7 seconds.

Here's where the mine-is-bigger-than-yours part comes in. Ultima reportedly contacted Top Gear to let them know its car could go 'round the track faster than the aforementioned Prancing Horse, but the show apparently never responded. Taking matters into its own hands, then, Ultima borrowed the track for itself and is claiming to have completed a lap in one minute 9.9 seconds - less than one full tick quicker than the Ferrari, but quicker nonetheless. Plus, Ultima says, the GTR720 was both cheaper and fully road legal while the £1 million FXX is a track-only proposition.

Wanna see it all go down on video? Click past the break to watch for yourself.

[Source: EVO]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ultima claims Top Gear track record without show's authorization

VIDEO: Ultima claims Top Gear track record without show's authorization originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dunsfold aerodromeDunsfoldAerodromeferrariferrari fxxFerrariFxxmichael schumacherMichaelSchumacherstigthe stigTheStigtop geartop gear lap recordtop gear test trackTopGearTopGearLapRecordTopGearTestTrackultima gtrultima gtr 720ultima gtr720Ultima-OnlineUltimaGtrUltimaGtr720Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Forget Waldo, BBC Books coming out with <i>Where's Stig?</i> for kids]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/forget-waldo-bbc-books-coming-out-with-i-wheres-stig-i-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/forget-waldo-bbc-books-coming-out-with-i-wheres-stig-i-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/forget-waldo-bbc-books-coming-out-with-i-wheres-stig-i-for/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Wasted time. All the wasted time we spent as children looking for that ridiculous, bespectacled, striped goon when we could have been seeking out the world's most enigmatic racing driver. As with so many other things, however, future generations need suffer no more thanks to illustrator Rod Hunt and the merchandising-obsessed limeys at the BBC, who have teamed up on this new project.

Where's Stig? features jam-packed, cartoonish recreations of famous scenes from the hit television show Top Gear, with the mysterious driver in white hidden somewhere on each page. Just like Where's Waldo?, only with more Top Gear-iness. The publication goes on sale from BBC Books as of September 17. Follow the link to the illustrator's website to check it out. Thanks for the tip, Jared!

[Source: Rod Hunt via Design You Trust]

Forget Waldo, BBC Books coming out with Where's Stig? for kids originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc booksBbcBooksrod huntRodHuntstigthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearwaldowheres stigwheres waldoWheresStigWheresWaldoTue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stig and the boys immortalized in bricks as <i>Top Gear</i> makes it to Legoland]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/22/stig-and-the-boys-immortalized-in-bricks-as-i-top-gear-i-make/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/22/stig-and-the-boys-immortalized-in-bricks-as-i-top-gear-i-make/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/22/stig-and-the-boys-immortalized-in-bricks-as-i-top-gear-i-make/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Top Gear crew rendered in LEGO - High-res version available at flickr

Another Saturday, another LEGO car story. This time, the little Danish bricks have been used to immortalize the presenters from our favorite automotive television show, Top Gear. In honor of the show naming the Caterham Superlight R500 its Car of the Year, the UK's Legoland built a miniature version of the car, along with the whole cast. Taking their place in the park's MINILAND exhibit in Windsor are none other than Jezza, Hamster, Captain Slow and The Stig (clockwise from bottom in the above photo).

[Source: Telegraph.co.uk | Image: hyku | Image License: CC SA 2.0]

Stig and the boys immortalized in bricks as Top Gear makes it to Legoland originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>james mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonlegolego carlego carsLegoCarLegoCarsrichard hammondRichardHammondstigthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearSat, 22 Aug 2009 13:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Stig's identity voted as Biggest Mystery of the Century]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/stigs-identity-voted-as-biggest-mystery-of-the-century/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/stigs-identity-voted-as-biggest-mystery-of-the-century/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/stigs-identity-voted-as-biggest-mystery-of-the-century/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The assassination of John F. Kennedy? The existence of the Bermuda Triangle? Bah! What Brits really want to know, more than anything else, is the true identity of the Stig. This according to a poll conducted by British tabloid the Daily Star under the esteemed auspices of Doritos, all to arrive at one startling conclusion: According to the average Brit, the Stig's identity is the greatest mystery of the last 100 years.

Top Gear's tamed racing driver took nearly a quarter of the votes, with the Loch Ness Monster coming in with 16% ahead of JFK's 12. Of course, if people really wanted to know who's hiding under the white helmet, they'd have figured it out by now. In fact, there have been numerous reports on his true identity, but like His Stiginess' loyal subjects, we'd rather keep the mystery alive... which is more than we can say for the late Black Stig, may Stig have mercy on his soul.

[Source: Daily Star]

Stig's identity voted as Biggest Mystery of the Century originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Chaser's War on Everything fake Stig sketch -- Click above to watch video

Here's a fantastic challenge that the Top Gear team didn't think up: if you walked around London dressed as the Stig, how many strangers would let you drive their cars? Aussie comedy show The Chaser's War on Everything went to London to find out, in an attempt to find a cheaper way to travel. What ensued was a guy in a bad Stig getup poaching transport from a few Brits -- and it only got better from there. Follow the jump to see the vid. Hat tip: Scott

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Stig scam gets you around for free

VIDEO: Stig scam gets you around for free originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiachasers war on everythingChasersWarOnEverythingentertainmenthumorstigthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearukvideoFri, 26 Jun 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: The Stig is to be <strike>unmasked</strike> unhelmeted on tonight's <i>Top Gear</i>!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/21/report-the-stig-is-to-be-strike-unmasked-strike-unhelmeted-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/21/report-the-stig-is-to-be-strike-unmasked-strike-unhelmeted-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/21/report-the-stig-is-to-be-strike-unmasked-strike-unhelmeted-o/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Jeremy Clarkson has written that some time after the new season of Top Gear begins tonight at 8 p.m. on British televisions, "Stig barges into the studio and in an atmosphere that you could cut with a knife removes his helmet."

Ostensibly, that means we'll finally learn the identity of the white-suited mystery man of motorsports. Of course, "removes his helmet" is a long way from actually finding out who The Stig is. And coming from TG's Master of Shenanigans - and after the last time The Stig was "revealed" - well, let's just say we're not ready to fall for the ol' banana in the tailpipe trick just yet. Hat tip to everyone and their fathers.

[Sources: The Daily Mail UK; BBC | Photo Credit: Jalopnik]

REPORT: The Stig is to be unmasked unhelmeted on tonight's Top Gear! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcetcjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonstigtelevisiontgthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearukSun, 21 Jun 2009 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Comic Relief to auction ridealong with Stig]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/comic-relief-to-auction-ridealong-with-stig/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/comic-relief-to-auction-ridealong-with-stig/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/comic-relief-to-auction-ridealong-with-stig/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We still don't know who the White Stig is, and he could be replaced by the Black Stig, the Purple Stig, or the Rainbow Stig pretty soon. But before he goes, you can win a ride with him around the Top Gear test track. Red Nose Day is a fundraising event put on by the British charity Comic Relief, and it's practically a holiday in UK. One of the items being auctioned for this year's drive is a lap with the Stig, to take place some time on a Wednesday this Summer.

If you win, you'll need to make your own way to Surrey, where the Top Gear track is. There is no word on the car you'll be riding in, and since Top Gear filming is a little loosey-goosey, things might get postponed. But still, as of writing the bidding is only up to £3,600.00 (about $5,100 USD), which is a paltry sum for the chance to ride with the automotive equivalent of The Shadow. Bring a red nose...

[Source: Daily Telegraph]

Comic Relief to auction ridealong with Stig originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction actionAuctionActioncharityetceurofundraiserJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRichard HammondRichardHammondStigthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearukTue, 17 Feb 2009 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[British papers report the Stig is greater than any one man]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/04/british-papers-report-the-stig-is-greater-than-any-one-man/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/04/british-papers-report-the-stig-is-greater-than-any-one-man/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/04/british-papers-report-the-stig-is-greater-than-any-one-man/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There have been a whole slew of reports lately on the true identity of Top Gear's "tamed racing driver". Some say he's Lewis Hamilton, while others say he's the late great Graham Hill. Some say he's venerable stunt driver and former racing impresario Ben Collins, while others say he's the newly-inaugurated President of the United States, Barack Obama. All we know is... the best part of keeping someone's identity a secret by masking his face is that you can switch him around any nobody would be none the wiser.

The latest reports suggest what many have maintained in the past: that the Stig, in all his white flash of glory, is an identity assumed by a variety of professional drivers. Although the Stig who drives the power laps around the Top Gear test track may be the same guy every episode, his duties may very well have been assumed by others at various points. Remember when Stiggy drove a Renault F1 car? That may have actually been Heikki Kovalainen, who spent two seasons at Renault before moving to Hamilton's side at McLaren. And when His Royal Stigginess rode a snowmobile off a ski jump? Actually Swedish snowmobile champion Dan Lang, according to reports. All in all some eight individuals have been identified as having donned the white for the cameras, including former GT driver Chris Goodwin, former Tyrell and Lotus F1 pilot Julian Bailey, and a member of the Autoblog staff who shall remain nameless. We've got to keep the mystery alive now, don't we?

[Source: The Daily Telegraph via eGMCarTech]

British papers report the Stig is greater than any one man originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>stigthe stigthe stig identitythe stig top gearTheStigTheStigIdentityTheStigTopGeartop geartop gear identitytop gear stigtop gear the stigTopGearTopGearIdentityTopGearStigTopGearTheStigWed, 04 Feb 2009 02:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Gear officially reveals Stig's identity, and he's even more impressive than we thought]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/top-gear-officially-reveals-stigs-identity-and-hes-even-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/top-gear-officially-reveals-stigs-identity-and-hes-even-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/top-gear-officially-reveals-stigs-identity-and-hes-even-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fair warning: This is our third Stig post in about a week, so if you're not a fan of the Top Gear and its Tame Racing Driver, feel free to mosey on down the page. Speculation about the Stig's identity has always been a fun way to pass the time with fellow car buffs. It's one of those secrets that you'd love to solve, but that you hope nobody ever does at the same time.

Last week, a service man came forward to say that he came across the Stig's white suit and helmet while doing some work at a home in the UK, and then an art gallery blabbed that a certain well-known racecar driver came into their gallery to commission some Stig artwork. Between the two of them they figured it was time to let the world know what they did, so they revealed Stiggy's true identity. Well, they got it all wrong according to the blokes at Top Gear.

In response to all of the speculation that has been reported as fact (by this outlet among others), the show wants to set the record straight. That's why the BBC outlet has just issued a statement identifying their white-clad road warrior. The Stig has been revealed to be...wait for it....Graham Hill. Yes, the very same Graham Hill who won the GP World Drivers Championship in 1962 and 1968 and was reported to have died in a tragic plane crash back in 1975. Who would have guessed? Ironically, his son and fellow Formula One World Champion Damon Hill was one of the people rumored to have donned the white driving suit and helmet. What a clever ruse.

This comes as quite a shock to everyone who has followed the story. After all, Graham would be about 80 years old now. Some say his mustache wax was the clue that made the team come forward with the news. Some say he has been growing frustrated getting out of so many awkward supercar doors. All we know is, you can follow the link to hear the whole exciting story of how this two-time champion worked with the BBC to fake his own death, some 20 years before the BBC even dreamed up the need for a Stig on a show they hadn't even created yet. Fascinating. Thanks for the tip, Rafer!

[Source: Top Gear | Image: Slim Aarons/Getty]

Top Gear officially reveals Stig's identity, and he's even more impressive than we thought originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCDamon HillDamonHillF1Formula 1Formula1Graham HillGrahamHillstigstig identityStigIdentitythe stigthe stigs identityTheStigTheStigsIdentitytop gearTopGearWhite StigWhiteStigworld championWorldChampionWed, 21 Jan 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Gear's Stig Revealed!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/top-gears-stig-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/top-gears-stig-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/top-gears-stig-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fans of Top Gear might want to prepare themselves for another Stig death soon. When "Black Stig" Perry McCarthy revealed himself, Clarkson, Hammond and May offed him. Now, according to the UK's Telegraph, the "White Stig" has apparently ended the mystery, revealing himself as 33 year-old Ben Collins. Collins has raced professionally in everything from NASCAR to LeMans, and most recently served as Agent 007's double for sequences of Quantum of Solace that required fancy wheel work. It's been such a secret for so long, how did the veil of silence come to be broken? Collins himself apparently revealed his day job to the owner of an art gallery in Bristol, England when asking for help producing a limited-edition print of The Stig plying his trade.

A builder had also come across the famed white suit and gloves on display in a cabinet while doing work at Collins' home, and there has been conjecture in the past that Collins is The Stig. Now that the cat is out of the bag, we wonder if there's much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the halls of Top Gear's offices. Secret identity or no, Collins has proven himself as a fantastic driver as The Stig, and with this latest revelation, he potentially faces "The Sack" as they say in Merry Old.

No confirmation yet from Clarkson, Hammond or May on this revelation, and the only word out of Top Gear is that they "...never comment on speculation as to who or what The Stig is." Hmm. In any case, we are left to wonder... what color will a new Stig be? Red? Gold? Blue? Thanks for the tip, Richard!

[Source: Telegraph.co.uk]

Top Gear's Stig Revealed! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben collinsben collins stigBenCollinsBenCollinsStigJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRichard HammondRichardHammondstigstig ben collinsstig collinsStigBenCollinsStigCollinsthe stigthe stigs identityTheStigTheStigsIdentitytop geartop gear stigTopGearTopGearStigMon, 19 Jan 2009 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA["Who is the Stig?" ranks in Top 10 searches on Ask.com]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/who-is-the-stig-ranks-in-top-10-searches-on-ask-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/who-is-the-stig-ranks-in-top-10-searches-on-ask-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/who-is-the-stig-ranks-in-top-10-searches-on-ask-com/#commentsFiled under:



Ask.com is used by millions of people every month, and the top questions range from "Am I pregnant?" to "How much is my car worth?" While those questions seem very generic and obvious, one query takes on an entirely Top Gear feel. No, the question isn't "How can I stop Top Gear USA from disappointing me?" The ninth most asked question is "Who is the Stig?" That oft-asked question is to Top Gear fans what "Is there a Santa Claus" is to 4th graders. Ask.com's European MD, Cesar Mascaraque, called the Stig a "cult figure" whose identity attracts thousands of queries. It's not at all surprising people's interest is piqued. The wildly popular BBC show basically throws it in our face whenever possible that we don't know who he is. When a camera flash exposes his eyes through his trademark helmet visor, it makes world-wide news.

Well, since the question is asked so often on ask.com, what does the search engine give as an answer? Not surprisingly, it doesn't know either. Ask.com does, however, identify race car drivers Perry McCarthy, Ben Collins and Damon Hill as strong possibilities. Now lets try to get all three men and the Stig in the same room together.

[Source: telegraph.co.uk]

"Who is the Stig?" ranks in Top 10 searches on Ask.com originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask.comstigtop gearTopGearwho is the stigWhoIsTheStigFri, 05 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stig writes riveting review of Nissan GT-R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/the-stig-writes-riveting-review-of-nissan-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/the-stig-writes-riveting-review-of-nissan-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/the-stig-writes-riveting-review-of-nissan-gt-r/#commentsFiled under:

We've all heard our share of rumors about the true identity of the one called The Stig. But after our childhood notions of the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus were shattered, we prefer to keep the legend of the anonymous test driver from Top Gear alive. So we're not about to claim that The Stig is one of us - or is he? - but the enigmatic pilot recently tried his hand at blogging. Trouble is, as we already know, The Stig doesn't have opposable thumbs or speak (let alone write) any discernible language known to man.

The entry on the Top Gear blog is part of a series of posts while the crew is out on the Isle of Man - the British isle with no speed limits and the birthplace of Nigel Mansell - where Stig is driving the Nissan GT-R. Click the Top Gear link to read the Stig's impressions of the Nissan GT-R. It is perhaps the most concise review of Nissan's supercar we've ever read.

[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading The Stig writes riveting review of Nissan GT-R

The Stig writes riveting review of Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's no secret that we're big fans of Top Gear, and it's good to hear that we're definitely not alone in loving the world's greatest motoring show. The waiting list to get a first-hand glimpse of the show being produced is an incredible 336k names deep, which translates to about a 21 year wait. That's enough people to fill England's new Wembley Stadium nearly four times, and for us Yanks, we greatly prefer Top Gear to soccer. With a constant flow of the best vehicles on earth, an endless array of clever new challenges, and the most entertaining show hosts in the biz, we don't think that list will shrink any time soon. We'd love to see the show live and in person, too, but at the current rate most of us would be members of the AARP by 2029. That is unless the Old Trafford can be used as the new Top Gear studio.

[Source: AutoTrader, Image: JonLarge, Flickr]

Want to watch Top Gear in person? Prepare to wait 21 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ClarkstonStigTop GearTopGearwaiting listWaitingListWed, 16 Jul 2008 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Win the lottery? Have Stig take you for a spin]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/12/win-the-lottery-have-stig-take-you-for-a-spin/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/12/win-the-lottery-have-stig-take-you-for-a-spin/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/12/win-the-lottery-have-stig-take-you-for-a-spin/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lottery winners can often have subhuman tendencies, so it's only natural that you'd want to hang out with equally awful subset of humanity, racing drivers. The Stig is a perfect representation of those with abnormally high levels of octane in their blood, and his/its services around Silverstone were purchased for £35,000 at a charity auction buy a lottery winner recently in reciept of £5 million. The Stig's passenger got three rain-soaked laps for a price of £11,666 per, and the Stig's performance, even on rain tires, was enough to impress Fernando Alonso. For the same price, you might be able to hire a passel of goons to abduct the esteemed Stigginator and pop that darn helmet off, though that particular scenario might be as creepy as the Darth Vader death scene in Return Of The Jedi.

[Source: Top Gear]

Win the lottery? Have Stig take you for a spin originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lottery winnerLotteryWinnersilverstonestigstig lapsStigLapsthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearSat, 12 Jul 2008 18:37:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stig climbs aboard Batman's Tumbler]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/the-stig-climbs-aboard-batmans-tumbler-good-things-on-the-way/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/the-stig-climbs-aboard-batmans-tumbler-good-things-on-the-way/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/the-stig-climbs-aboard-batmans-tumbler-good-things-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under:

UPDATE: This picture was actually shot when Batman Begins was released -- in 2005. So don't expect to see the Stig doing his thing in the Tumbler anytime soon. Check out the rest of the pics at Flickr; we're off to drown our disappointment in a pint.


We don't have any details on when this happened or if when Top Gear will air the man in white piloting Batman's meanest machine. But with the Tumbler making its recent appearance at the British GP with Toyota, was there any doubt that something like this was going to go down? We're taking bets about what kind of time the Tumbler is going to set around the TG test track. Check out the current Power Lap times and make your own predictions in the comments below.

Gallery: Batman's Tumbler at Silverstone

The Stig climbs aboard Batman's Tumbler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attention all you Top Gear fans out there! While most of us will never be a big enough star to actually appear on the fabled British motor show as one of its "Stars in a reasonably priced car," the Top Gear website has added a virtual chance at fame and glory. Take a crack at the real Top Gear test track just like The Stig! Pilot your Chevy Laceti around Chicago Corner, through Hammerhead, past The Follow-Through, and blast out of Gambon for the perfect lap. Current lap record holder is Alan G. with a blistering 1:41:193. If you think that's easy to beat, know that we only managed a 2:02:011 on our first full lap. It's not as easy as it might at first appear, as the rather crude graphics belie the trickiness of the controls and course. Check out the "Time to burn?" tab on the site to see how you would match up against Simon Cowell, Hugh Grant, and the Well spoken man. Hopefully you'll be able to beat at least Jimmy Carr. We'll keep at it and try to at least beat Brian Cox before the show returns to British airwaves this weekend for Series 11.

[Source: Top Gear]

Be a star in Top Gear's reasonably priced car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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