The Stig a/k/a Ben Collins

[flvegan]

To the viewers of Top Gear, he is part man, part machine, with veins that course with petrol. But the true substance of “the Stig”, the BBC programme’s so-called tame racing driver, was revealed yesterday to be somewhat more prosaic.

The identity of the character, who test-drives cars around the Top Gear track, was divulged at the weekend as Ben Collins, a Bristol-based former American speedway driver and stuntman who doubled for Daniel Craig in the latest James Bond film.

The name of the white-suited Stig, beloved of the show’s hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, has been an open secret within the motoring world for some years, but the media have refrained from publishing his name to uphold the spirit of the programme.

On Sunday, however, a newspaper outed Collins, 33, after following up a story in a Bristol newspaper about a man commissioning a photographic studio in the city to produce limited edition prints of the character.

The BBC has a policy of never commenting on the identity of the Stig, who has a cult following around the world. A spokesman for Top Gear said yesterday: “We never comment on speculation as to who or what the Stig is.” Collins was not available for comment.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article5548705.ece

[Tyrone Slothrop]

1. Now we just need to figure out who his African cousin is n/t

[flvegan]

2. And his fat American cousin, Big Stig.

[MorningGlow]

3. And...

his African cousin, his fat lorry-driving cousin with one tanned arm (!), his Communist cousin...

I wonder what they're going to "do" to this Stig. Conflicting accounts of whether they're going to kill him off like the last one or not. So far BBC has been not commenting--if they don't comment/confirm, does that mean they don't have to take any action?

[flvegan]

4. I don't think they'll deny nor confirm, nor do I think they'll can him.

He's a bigger asset than just "their tame racing driver".

[MorningGlow]

5. Especially coaching the "stars in reasonably priced cars"

Not to mention helping the lads themselves. I still giggle when I recall James trying to skid and powerslide in Jezza's place (what car was he trying to drive?)--and in the end he had to turn it over to the Stig to do it.
:rofl:

[flvegan]

9. I can see them having Collins and The Stig appear together to disprove it.

The Stig of course being someone else in his racing suit.

That's what I'd do.

[DS1]

6. I already knew that, but nice spoiler

Jesus

[flvegan]

7. I thought it was Tom Chilton.

He seemed to pop up in every single episode where they brought out the "touring car stars".

[swishyfeet]

8. Oh NO!