The Stig Of Top Gear

[1990-VQ-STATESM]

Does anyone know who the stig of top gear is. I have heard roumers that it is Mark Webber. Can anyone please clear this up for. Chears for any help.

[Calais V 6.0]

I think the latest guess was posted on this forum about a week ago. Some paper in the UK (the daily I think) say that they have confirmed that it is an ex F1 pilot from the 1980's. Do a search and you will get something.

It would not be any urrent or recent F1 driver as they would cost way to much for the BBC to employ....

Just Google "The stig uncovered". Its the 4th link down. From the website: respawned dot co dot uk.

Sorry, but I still cant post links. For some reason it says I still only have 6 posts......

[goofafidamedes]

http://forums.finalgear.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15

Try there... if you look around you might find some info on the various Stig's.

[Brendan]

I AM THE STIG

[cvy57l]

My friend in UK does the photo shoots for TOP Gear mag, he tells me the STIG is Clarkson!!!!:werd:

[HRT Stroker]

My friend in UK does the photo shoots for TOP Gear mag, he tells me the STIG is Clarkson!!!!:werd:

I seriously doubt that......the Stig was allowed to Pilot last years F! Renault around the track....

Assuming it WAS the Stig!:idea:

[Calais V 6.0]

mmmmmm........... Have you seen the gut on clarkson!?! I think he was having a lend of you matey. And the pilot of the F1 car was an F1 test driver. No point going through all the crap they would need to go through to have a newbie driving their car.

[iamhappy46]

My friend in UK does the photo shoots for TOP Gear mag, he tells me the STIG is Clarkson!!!!:werd:

Nope, is not Clarkson...

The Stig is actually a British ex-BTCC race car driver :teach: ;)

[bermudablue]

If it was Mark Webber they would never finish a lap!

[BadMac]

For the first two seasons, The Stig was Perry McCarthy, a former Formula One driver as well as a test driver for three F1 teams. A new Stig took over from McCarthy after the original Stig's "demise" at the beginning of Season 3.

On the 18 March 2006 the former Stig, Perry McCarthy, revealed that currently there is no one single test driver, but multiple test drivers who masquerade as the Stig; he said this when he appeared at a Palmer Sport activity day in Bedfordshire, UK. Rumours have it that one of the new Stigs is Damon Hill and occasionally Colin McRae. And in January 2006, the Daily Express claimed that the identity of The Stig is former Formula 1 driver Julian Bailey.

For the F1 test it was Heikki Kovalainen.

[Souljah]

I AM THE STIG

No. I am the Stig!

[slash]

Wikipedia says:

The identity of the first Stig was revealed to be Perry McCarthy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_McCarthy) when his book Flat Out, Flat Broke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Out%2C_Flat_Broke) was published in 2003. McCarthy is a former Formula 1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_1) driver and test driver for the Benetton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benetton_Formula), Arrows (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrows) and Williams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WilliamsF1) teams, and also tested for BMW F1.
The identity of the new Stig has not been officially revealed. However, rumours abound that several racers take the role of the Stig in various capacities. In a Winter Olympics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Olympics) special episode of Top Gear, the Stig was shown doing a ski jump using a snowmobile. According to the Swedish tabloid newspaper Aftonbladet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aftonbladet), the snowmobile driver performing the ski jump stunt was Dan Lang, a Swedish snowmobile cross driver.[12] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig#_note-11) In January 2006, the Daily Express (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Express) claimed that the identity of the Stig is former Formula 1 driver Julian Bailey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Bailey).
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/34/TGIAMTHESTIG.jpg/250px-TGIAMTHESTIG.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TGIAMTHESTIG.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TGIAMTHESTIG.jpg)
Mark Webber with an "I AM THE STIG" T-shirt presented to him by Jeremy.


Fans of the show have speculated that the current Stig is a former or current Formula 1 driver. The show has capitalized on this speculation by hosting several F1 drivers on the program, ambiguously hinting that any of them may be the Stig without ever revealing his true identity. The Top Gear website also lists The Stig under the F1 drivers section of the Power Lap board.
On the episode of June 26 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_26), 2005 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005), Damon Hill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damon_Hill) appeared as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car. When asked directly by Clarkson if he was the Stig, Hill evaded the question and did not provide an outright denial or confirmation.[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig#_note-12) Mark Webber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Webber) was interviewed on July 31 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_31), 2005 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005) and at the conclusion of his lap Clarkson presented him with an "I AM THE STIG" T-shirt. Webber was then warned not to wear it around the F1 paddock, as "Michael (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Schumacher) doesn't always wear red".[14] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig#_note-13)
When former F1 driver Nigel Mansell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Mansell) appeared on the show, Jeremy Clarkson noted that the Stig theorized that the Suzuki Liana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Liana) (the show's "reasonably priced car" at the time) could achieve a 1:44 time on the track.[15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig#_note-14) Mansell proved the Stig's theory by lapping in a time of 1:44.6. Clarkson also noted that Mansell's line (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_line) through the first corner was the same as the one taken by the Stig.
During the review of Jenson Button (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenson_Button)'s lap, Clarkson commented that he, as did most of the other F1 drivers, took very different racing lines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_line) than the Stig. Button commented that "...obviously, the Stig isn't a Formula One Driver".[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig#_note-15)

[berroca]

i heard it was Damon hill

[BlueVZSS]

Nice info Slash.

Based on all of the available info it appears that Julian Bailey is the current Stig, albeit that they might swap others in from time to time.

[Tyre biter]

I seriously doubt that......the Stig was allowed to Pilot last years F! Renault around the track....

Assuming it WAS the Stig!:idea:

I agree, there is no doubt that it isn't Clarkson, but tribute where tribute is due, who's to say he couldn't pedal an F1 car with some aplomb? Let's not forget, that appart from driving some of the most magnificent cars about and owning a GT40, he has also piloted a F15E Eagle fighter - gut or no gut I am sure he'd know the pointy end or an F1 from the blunt end. However the Mansell wineglass figure and his near on 6'5" frame might however prevent him from actually getting inside an F1 cockpit!

The Juilan Bailey nomination might be a goer - an ex BTCC star, F1 aspirant and one of the group of driver's who donned themselves the Rat Pack I think it was - the group included the original Stig Perry McCarthy, Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert and Martin Brundle and later inducted 'our' Brabs into the fold.

And McCarthy says in his book (Flat out, Flat broke) that at various times they did infact have someone sit in for him when he was unavailable. If I recall correctly, Julian Bailey did so on occasion...

Cheers, Craig

[stukes]

If it was Mark Webber they would never finish a lap!

Classic!! Sad but true. Lets hope Mark does a better job this season.

[BadMac]

Just "googled" "who is the white stig" and got a site where they name "Ben Collins".

Another site gave.

1. The Stig has been several people.
2. The current Stig is drove in last year’s British GT championship and other endurance events.
3. It’s NOT Damon Hill
4. The Stig was at MPH05 “he” drove as Stig and as himself.

Ben Collins was at MPH05. He drove in last years GT Series, so meets the critera.

[kevwrx]

...but the real 'Stig' is Stig Blomquist 1984 World Rally Champion with Audi
certainly Weber and Co would be no match for him in a rally car at least..
here are some vids of the real Stig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV9lFCGtwMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-fjjjyOKFQ

[schnoods]

All i know he is a legend in his own right.

Some say his ankles are operated by hydraulics, while others say he eats mothballs and rat poison....

[SCiFiRE]

I always thought it was interesting, When nigel mansell raced Clarkson noted the line he took was the same as the stig, And all the other F1 drivers took different lines.

[2001 ITR]

...but the real 'Stig' is Stig Blomquist 1984 World Rally Champion with Audi[/url]

Absolutely!! Still competing at 65 or so years of age

[plonkerchops]

Absolutely!! Still competing at 65 or so years of age

hes still a test driver for one of the major European marques..cant remember which

[Trek52]

I wish it was Hill but really why would he need to take risks like that he wouldnt need the money. Also no current drivers would be allowed by there team to do it so that rules out Webber.

Whoever it is they can drive !!!

[iamhappy46]

I always thought it was interesting, When nigel mansell raced Clarkson noted the line he took was the same as the stig, And all the other F1 drivers took different lines.

Some people can read the road and choose slightly different lines to everybody else. Most people just follow the dark rubberised corner 'apex' markers for where everybody else goes. Nigel was famous in F1 for not follwing the traditional path.

[BLACKWIDOW]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e182/MsSV8/IMG_1439.jpg


IS this the Stig??
Well.... stig in training, actually my 2 year old son. :driving:

[ssgirl2]

I read an article in the UK last year confirming it was Damon Hill in an article called "The Stig Uncovered" (photos too).

Me thinks Top Gear is just messing with our minds...looks like it' working.

SS :)

[Leilani7]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e182/MsSV8/IMG_1439.jpg


IS this the Stig??
Well.... stig in training, actually my 2 year old son. :driving:


Very Cute Nicola, and with parents like you two, and I mean that in a good way ,:yahoo: he just may well be the next stig
Saw you too late to wave both yesterday and day before , sorry, just saw the back of your lovely car both days !!! Some guy tried to take me out yesterday at the PO , just decided he was pulling out , never mind me that I was about 2 feet away from him, !!!!:cussing:
Anyway catch you soon , will email you
Leilani:girl:

[1990-VQ-STATESM]

If it was Mark Webber they would never finish a lap!

Hey man its not Webbers fault he cant finish a race because the cars allways break down on. Its not like he builds the cars.

[jimbo14]

i heard it was Damon hill

Yes I think this is true. From what I have read it has been several Stigs and one of them has been Damon Hill. :deal:

[bruce350]

Whoever The Stig is, he needs a reality check with some of the music he listens to as he rumbles around a track......

[exploder]

...but the real 'Stig' is Stig Blomquist 1984 World Rally Champion with Audi
certainly Weber and Co would be no match for him in a rally car at least..
here are some vids of the real Stig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV9lFCGtwMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-fjjjyOKFQ

I agree with the sentiment but he spells his first name Stiq

[nudenut]

I'm the Stig, and so's my wife.

[iamhappy46]

:idea: Well... I taught the Stig how to drive :driving:

:thumbsup:

[HSVDKB]

Just "googled" "who is the white stig" and got a site where they name "Ben Collins".

Another site gave.

1. The Stig has been several people.
2. The current Stig is drove in last year’s British GT championship and other endurance events.
3. It’s NOT Damon Hill
4. The Stig was at MPH05 “he” drove as Stig and as himself.

Ben Collins was at MPH05. He drove in last years GT Series, so meets the critera.

British motor sport guy out here for the A1 GP was asked this question
and confirmed the current Stig was sports car driver Ben Collins