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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily starDailyStaridentity of the stigIdentityOfTheStigstigtgthe stigthe stig identityTheStigTheStigIdentitytop geartop gear the stigTopGearTopGearTheStigMon, 17 Aug 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Jay Leno confirms <i>Top Gear</i> appearance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/video-jay-leno-confirms-i-top-gear-i-appearance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/video-jay-leno-confirms-i-top-gear-i-appearance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/video-jay-leno-confirms-i-top-gear-i-appearance/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Jay Leno and The Stig - Click above to watch video after the jump

Those previously unconfirmed rumors of Jay Leno making an appearance on Top Gear? Consider them now confirmed, courtesy of The Man himself. According to Jay Leno's Garage, the popular American late-night comedian, talk show host and all around cool guy did in fact visit Jeremy Clarkson, The Stig and the rest of the crew to film a piece for the show's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.

From the sound of things, Leno had lots of fun in the U.K. and he specifically calls Top Gear his favorite show on television. With due respect to Conan, we'd have to agree. In addition to filming a few teaser shots of his trips around the TG Test Track, the comedian takes us into the Top Gear Production Office - and let's just say its pretty much exactly as you'd expect from a bunch of car-obsessed men. Click past the break to watch the video. Thanks for the tip, Stephen!

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jay Leno confirms Top Gear appearance

VIDEO: Jay Leno confirms Top Gear appearance originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jay lenojay leno top gearjay lenos garageJayLenoJayLenosGarageJayLenoTopGearstar in a reasonably priced carStarInAReasonablyPricedCarthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearFri, 10 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: The Superest of Supercar Shootouts: Bugatti Veyron vs. McLaren F1 on Top Gear]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/video-the-superest-of-supercar-shootouts-bugatti-veyron-vs-mc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/video-the-superest-of-supercar-shootouts-bugatti-veyron-vs-mc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/video-the-superest-of-supercar-shootouts-bugatti-veyron-vs-mc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Bugatti Veyron vs. McLaren F1 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Episode 2 of Top Gear's 13th season aired last night in the UK, and the main event was a one-mile drag race between the McLaren F1 and the Bugatti Veyron. Notice that we didn't say a McLaren F1 and a Bugatti Veyron. These two supercars are so super (and rare) that any single example tends to represent the whole run of each, and since your chances of encountering two of either kind in the same place are practically nill, they might as well be the only ones in existence.

The Top Gear crew chose Abu Dhabi as the location for its supercar shootout. With an arid climate that sees practically no rain or freezing-and-thawing cycles, the roads in Abu Dhabi are long, straight and, most importantly, free of pot holes. Richard Hammond chooses to pilot the Bug and The Stig takes the centrally located wheel of the F1. We won't spoil the results except to say that this is the most real and nail-biting competition that we've seen on Top Gear in a long time.

Follow the jump to watch yesteryear's supercar, the McLaren F1, go head-to-head with today's top dog, the Bugatti Veyron. Thanks for the tip, Will!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: The Superest of Supercar Shootouts: Bugatti Veyron vs. McLaren F1 on Top Gear

VIDEO: The Superest of Supercar Shootouts: Bugatti Veyron vs. McLaren F1 on Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugattibugatti mclarenbugatti versus mclarenbugatti veyronbugatti vs mclarenBugattiMclarenBugattiVersusMclarenBugattiVeyronBugattiVsMclarenf1mclarenmclaren f1MclarenF1richard hammondRichardHammondthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearveyronveyron versus mclaren f1VeyronVersusMclarenF1Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Stig scam gets you around for free]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-stig-scam-gets-you-around-for-free/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-stig-scam-gets-you-around-for-free/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-stig-scam-gets-you-around-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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[Top Gear: The Stig, revealed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/21/and-the-stig-is/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/21/and-the-stig-is/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/21/and-the-stig-is/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Stig shows himself. Click above to watch the video after the jump.

Like the Sith revealing themselves to the Jedi, the Stig has revealed himself to Top Gear's live studio audience. Maybe. Follow the jump to watch.

[Source: Top Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading Top Gear: The Stig, revealed

Top Gear: The Stig, revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearunhelmetedunmaskedSun, 21 Jun 2009 18:42:00 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[Some Say He Might Be A Little Shocked: UK man gets $30,000 bill for watching Top Gear]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/18/some-say-he-might-be-a-little-shocked-uk-man-gets-30-000-bill/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/18/some-say-he-might-be-a-little-shocked-uk-man-gets-30-000-bill/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/18/some-say-he-might-be-a-little-shocked-uk-man-gets-30-000-bill/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Will Pierce has gotten it backwards. The goal is to get paid for watching Top Gear; instead, Pierce earned himself a hefty bill for catching up on the Best. Car. Show. Ever.

Pierce and his son were on a ski trip in France, where there happens to be a paucity of English-language television. To stave off the boredom, out came the laptop and its Vodafone data card. Vacation saved by internet downloads of Clarkson and friends, father and son returned home to a £21,716 ($30,334.40) internet service bill. Needless to say, the humongous charge was something of a surprise. Thankfully, Vodafone kindly waived Pierce's fees with an admonition to check his plan and whether it covers massive data downloads while in other countries. So, the next time you find yourself in foreign lands with time to burn and a hankering for some quality Stigtime, well... consider yourselves warned.

[Source: Newslite]

Some Say He Might Be A Little Shocked: UK man gets $30,000 bill for watching Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ISPJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonThe StigTheStigtop geartop gear billtop gear vacationtop gear vodaphoneTopGearTopGearBillTopGearVacationTopGearVodaphonevodaphonewireless chargeswireless internetWirelessChargesWirelessInternetWed, 18 Mar 2009 14:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Gear returns in June with Series 13]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/16/top-gear-returns-in-june-with-series-13/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/16/top-gear-returns-in-june-with-series-13/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/16/top-gear-returns-in-june-with-series-13/#commentsFiled under:



If life without new episodes of Top Gear is too depressing to bear, you only have a few months to wait for Series 13. Clarkson, Hammond, May and the Stig will be back for more automotive mayhem in June. The terrific trio will undoubtedly have a whole new arsenal of automotive hi-jinx waiting for us in the new series, but those stunts will have to come cheaper than in previous series. To keep the show in the black during tough times, Top Gear took a substantial budget hit. On the Top Gear blog, Executive Producer Andy Wilman noted that the show was already running on a drum-tight budget, and that 2009 cuts will be evident in the final product. We hope not, but we're sure that the guys at Top Gear will air nothing short of an innovative and entertaining Series 13.

[Source: Final Gear]

Top Gear returns in June with Series 13 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clarksonhammondjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonmayrichard hammondRichardHammondseries 13Series13the stigTheStigtop gearTopGearMon, 16 Mar 2009 07:58:00 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.

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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.

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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.

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The Stig's identity is one of those great mysteries that would lose all of its inherent intrigue if it were to be revealed. Regardless, here we are with another story that hints at the secret identity of the man behind the mask. Thankfully, though, the source of the leak was reportedly within the BBC, and the British giant says it will never officially confirm the Stig's ID. We do have clues, though, and if you want to hear 'em, see below.

According to News of the World, the Stig is a happily married man in his 30s who lives in modest home and drives a boring £15,000 car. Although he's been a successful racer in the past, he never quite made it all the way to F1, the pinnacle of motorsports. Feel free to speculate away in the comments, but don't expect us to join in. We like not knowing who he she it is, and hope it doesn't get spoiled any time soon.

[Source: News of the World]

Top Gear's the Stig identified... as a sensible married man? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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