January 7, 2008...3:07 pm
Who is the Stig?
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These are the ten men and one woman we’ve suggested might be Top Gear’s Stig.
Who do you think is the Stig? Have your say below.
Damon Hill
Ellen MacArthur
Jeremy Clarkson
Russ Swift
Ben Collins
Tiff Needell
Read about the first six in Who is the Stig?
Lewis Hamilton
James May
Mark Blundell
Julian Bailey
Simon Cowell
219 Comments
January 7, 2008 at 4:49 pm
stop thinking F1 for the stig, it is a completley different style of driving to what the stig does, think more “touring car” driver which is an almost identical style of driving. my 2 cents is probably someone like “Jason Plato” as they always seem to give him a bit of on air ribbing
January 7, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I think that new white Stig is Johny Herbert - just look at the way he stands and holds himself when not in the car - Also he’s not that much taller than the the Hamster!!! Well its my guess anyway.
January 7, 2008 at 5:26 pm
i think the stig is ……..stig blomqvist ,rally driver from the 70/80s
January 7, 2008 at 5:51 pm
The Stig is Ben Collins - Ascari’s test driver!!
Which is also why the Ascari A10 is the quickest car round the Track!! :o)
January 7, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Definitely not Mark Blundel - his physique is ‘wider’ than the Stigs and Hamilton is much smaller than the Stig.
It’s most likely more than 1 person- a racing driver wouldnt go down a ski slope on a snow machine like they did in the winter olympics special. It would have to be a professional.
But if it is 1 person I agree with Grant - its probably Plato, but that would kind of annoy Fifth Gear.
And dont rule out Perry McCarthy - that would be a bigger conspiracy than May!!!!!
What do you reckon
January 7, 2008 at 6:01 pm
IT IS INDEED BEN COLLINS!
January 7, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hi guys, well on an episode of top gear (unfortunatley i can’t remember which) Jeremy Clarkson hinted it was michael shumaker. It might of been to push people to believe it when it was not true but who knows?
January 7, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Ben Collins is my bet
January 7, 2008 at 6:43 pm
the stig is ben collins, you can tell by his size and driving style he also has links with the show.as mark pointed out and ascari if you want another link the lastest clarkson dvd is filmed at ascari test track any how take it from me its ben thats a fact
January 7, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I’m going to clear up all of this ridiculous speculation as it is so stupid it’s unbeleivable:
I work in the motorsport industry and know at least 2 national racing drivers who have been the White stig, one of them is Ben Collins, the other I can’t name as he told me in confidence as a friend.
The whole point of the Stig character is that Top Gear can use who is available at the time without explaining the changes.
The Stig is always just the best driver available when they need a car testing and they’re not “famous” or “celebrities” They’re genuinely talented and unknown drivers.
All of this speculation of Damon Hill, Simon Cowell, Michael Schumacher, Ellen Mcarther etc is just crazy! Clarkson, May and Hammond must be wetting themselves laughing reading these guesses.
January 7, 2008 at 8:41 pm
the stig is ben collins. i work as a test driver at millbrook and have seen him there on numerous occasions.
January 7, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Its Ben Collins
It was Perry McCarthy
January 7, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Hi everyone its time to reveal the stig …..i think hes either tiff needell or nicholas minassion
January 8, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hi folks. I reckon the ex-touring car angle might be right. Julian Bailey drove for Toyota if memory serves. Another one to consider might be Tim Harvey.
January 8, 2008 at 10:08 am
Its Ben Collins - but for how much longer I’m not sure as he is currently under negotiation with american sponsors to race there.
January 8, 2008 at 11:15 am
just in case anyone cant read, as comments have been posted today the stig is ben collins 85% of the time as cal said at least one other driver has done a stint, i also raced for 6 years in national championships , and worked at various circuits on track days with lots of drivers, there are lots of talented drivers out there who the public and top gear watchers have never heard of, so the bbc have plenty of choice without it being a household name .ben is very quick and some of the names put forward would get within 10 secs of his lap times!! the public clearly dont know how difficult it is to go quick and not make mistakes , a lap in a car with any decent national racer will show you how quick a car can go without the drama you get from a wild slow clarkson type ride any way its ben !!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 8, 2008 at 11:19 am
I think its Tiff, tongue and cheek banter with 5th Gear gives it away…
January 8, 2008 at 12:01 pm
It’s not hamilton, you can see the stigs neck and he is white not black like hamilton. Also it’s not Simon Cowell. The first time he was on the show the stig took him out in a noble, there’s a video of the 2 sat right next to each other.
January 8, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Forget Helen McC/Simon C/Damon H/Tiff and the least said about Schumy the better! It is not that obvious.
I believe an ex Rally Driver or ex Formula One test driver who is out of contract and who is changed depending on availability. Saying that, I notice the Stig is quite petite? Bernie Ecclestone!! Not.
I have the T-Shirt that says ‘I am the Stig’ and it always provokes the question ‘Are you…?’ To which I reply ‘maybe……!!’
Have fun Stig searchers!!!!
January 8, 2008 at 12:53 pm
It was Justin Wilson and Perry McCarthy a few years back, and Ben Collins currently.
The whole point of The Stig being anonymous is that the BBC do not have to contract a single driver. They change him as often as they like - far cheaper this way.
It would not be a current F1 driver, as they would cost too much.
January 8, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I have heard from people who should know that the Stig is Garry Paffet, McLaren’s other test driver.
January 8, 2008 at 2:09 pm
it’s Ben Collins. I know this. you can stop debating it now.
January 8, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Enough! Some say, he meditates in a bath of cold dripping, whilst others, believe his racing outift is made from rice paper and held together with supercharged electrons. All WE know, is he’s called the STIG and to aid the already misled, I’ll let you into a single clue that will no doubt, upset the bookies.. He’s French and has a close friend (who is NOT French but speaks it very well I hear) who goes by the name of Thierry Herman. Beware, it will take you an absolutely horrendous amount of hours to research the connection but there IS, a formula. All will then become transparent but I doubt if you will pinnacle before the end of the current series.
January 8, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Yeah i personally think its Damon Hill
January 8, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Lets get it right, it WAS Ben Collins……. but as an instructor at Silverstone and current Saloon racer in the VW Racing Cup I can now confirm that the current Stig is…………….. no sorry we are all sworn to secrecey. Lets say anyone who has had an experience at Silverstone may well have been sat next to this person. Happy hunting….lol
January 8, 2008 at 6:06 pm
The Stig is the best driver from whoever is providing the metal. He is many people, but the mystery one who is put forward for our consideration issdludfsyg8. Damn, I must get this keyboard fixed.
January 8, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Will the stig actually ever be revealed?
“We’ve also got bookmakers William Hill to supply the odds on each driver being unmasked as the Stig.”
It says he’s being unmasked, so when?
They should reveal the stig each year!
January 8, 2008 at 6:46 pm
i worked for perry mccarthys parents some time ago and found out that julian bailey used to take up his ’stig duties’ when he was racing for audi, so it could be that hes stepped up into the hotspot so to speak after they launched perry off the aircraft carrier….
January 8, 2008 at 6:50 pm
My old boss lent ‘one’ of his cars to Top Gear(…?!?!?!) when they reviewed it (911 GT). He would not state the identity of the illusive ’stig’ but did conceed that he was short, but very good looking. Guess that knocks out May and Cowell..!!
Edited by moderator
January 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm
My manager has recently been down to a merc training day. The bloke who taught him was taught by the stig….ummmm………. He says its one of 3 F1 drivers from finland. Just look at the stig then look and Mika Hakkinen and tell me they aint alike. Answers on a postcard.
January 8, 2008 at 7:26 pm
johnny herbert thats who i thought…ben collins maybe, probably an ex btcc driver,gabrielle tarquini ?
January 8, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I noticed in one of the episodes after Lewis Hamilton appeared on Top Gear, there was a brief clip of the Stig’s neck and he had Lewis Hamilton’s skin tone not the usual white tone. So I believe that Lewis Hamilton did drive as the Stig on one episode, at least. Therefore I’m guessing that any number of competition standard drivers could have been Stig 2. I don’t think the current Stig is a celebrity guest. In the beginning I thought Stig 1 could have been Tiff but it’s easy to find out who he was with a google search. Cheers David.
January 8, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I am led to beleive it is a guy called Maurice Hayden who won this years Stock Hatch Championship !
January 8, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hi there
I know that The Stig is Avni Ropica a Kosovar- Albanian racer in the British Motoring Association.
January 8, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I can reveal that Johnny Herbert is the white Stig. Say I’m wrong but the odds shorten tomorrow.
January 8, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Ben Collins was one of them for sure.
January 8, 2008 at 9:36 pm
It is Ben Collins, it as good as say’s so on richard hamonds accident inquiry
http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/releases/richardhammond.pdf
January 8, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Well most people say its Ben Collings, I wud have to agree.
Ben’s appeared as himself many times on top gear - trying to get a parachutist into the back of a merc and the original 5-a-side footy with the aygo!
The 5-a-side footy is a big clue that its Ben Collings as The Stig, In it Bens wearing an AlpineStar hooded top (who he is sponsored by) and the stig wears AlpineStar driving gear!
that being the only clue that i can think of and that he’s been on it several times himself, when the Top Gear producers could’ve seen him doing his stuff!
January 8, 2008 at 10:45 pm
When Richard Hammond crashed it was Ben Collins - the HSE report into the accident quotes him as a ‘high performance driver and consultant’. http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/releases/richardhammond.pdf
January 8, 2008 at 11:10 pm
For me is Mark weber f1 Driver.
January 8, 2008 at 11:34 pm
The stig is Ben Collins!! I know this because i work for Classic Team Lotus and the Stig drove one of our Lotus F1 cars as part of a feature for Top Gear! before him was stunt car driver Terry Grant and previous to him Perry McCarthy
January 8, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I reckon it`s Ben Collins, a couple of years ago I was chef for Embassy Racing @ Spa , ben was one of the drivers - the Stigs stance just seems familiar!!!
January 9, 2008 at 12:14 am
It looks like J Plato - on the 24 hours race at silverstone the Stig was looking exactly as Plato.
Another wild thing - Stig is too quick … Stig has a different driving style… too different … Stig is aggressive /on the track/. Stig is cool outside… too cool?! Mr. Schumy anyone?
January 9, 2008 at 12:33 am
No one seems to of mensioned the german girl how took that transit van round the nurbergring she was amazing. she looks the right size and build. No one said the stig was a guy!
January 9, 2008 at 1:17 am
The Stig is rumoured to be racing at Arena Essex raceway on the 19th Jan in a Hot Rod.
January 9, 2008 at 2:41 am
My money is on Darren Turner - BTCC driver.
Same height and build as Stiggy and always an ace behind the wheel. Was driving the two seat Mclaren F1 car at 23!!
What do you think………………
January 9, 2008 at 11:32 am
whoever he is he’s a genious!!!!! and a master of disguise!!!!!
January 9, 2008 at 11:48 am
Been watching top gear for many years and I have to agree with Ceri Rees - it’s go to be Johny Herbert. The stance is correct, the driving style is correct and he seems to have disappeared from the F1 scene at about the right time to become the stig later in his career. Oh and he does have the right sense of humour for this role.
Got to be him!!!
January 9, 2008 at 12:26 pm
What about Jason Plato
January 9, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I think the stig is Eddie the eagle..
January 10, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Ben Collins. Not only does he have the driving chops, but I believe that the Stig’s nice butt looks the same as his.
January 12, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I think it’s my next door neighbours nan, she drives just like The Stig!
January 16, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Ben Collins.
I’m willing to bet £1,000 with anyone who disagrees.
If you want to take me on, I’m awaiting your call.
January 16, 2008 at 8:26 pm
The Stig is Damon Hill of course!
January 18, 2008 at 6:17 pm
i think the white stig is Stirling moss!
January 18, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I believe the Stig is Hertfordshires Professional Stunt Driver Terry Grant, However i am lead to believe that there is more than one Stig at any given time.
January 18, 2008 at 9:38 pm
The Stig is …..?
Could I have the belt he borrowed at Rockingham Raceway before winning the 2nd heat and coming 2nd in the Final????????
January 19, 2008 at 4:11 am
I don’t know who the Stig is but some folks here keep saying that this or that F1 driver has similar driving styles. There is absolutely no comparison between how one would take a corner in an F1 car versus an average sedan. So driving style would have nothing to do with it.
January 19, 2008 at 2:35 pm
hmmmm…
January 20, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Eddie Irvine
January 20, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I am gonna say Ben Collins too!! Sooo much evidence to say he is!!
Same feet size for one (10!!)
Same build
Same driving style (NOT F1!!!)
He was named in Hamsters accident report
He apparently signed autographs from the Stig…this may not be true!!
Videos of Stig talking on youtube (NOT FAKE PLEASE DONT COME AT ME WITH THAT!!!) sound very much like Ben Collins!!!!!
They have the same watch (this is recent too, Ben Collins at MPH show Nov2007 wears the same watch as Stig wore at BritCar24 race this last series!!!)
They are about the same height, smaller than Clarkson, but not much smaller.
There is sooo much evidence for it, it would be difficult to say otherwise!!!!
BUT…Ben Collins is apparently going to be working with NASCAR this year in the Sprint Cup, so maybe Stiggy boy will change for the series in Oct of this year…we will have to see…maybe he will be revealed next series…..!!! lol
January 21, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Ozzy Osbourne, or my mother in law (same driving style anyway)…..
January 22, 2008 at 12:47 am
Hi All
The debate will go on and on and thats the aim, I work with BBC worldwide and this part of the BBC is allowed to make money from concepts for shows and producing shows for other channels the whole UKTV / DAVE is a BBC channel and is one of the biggest earners, Top Gear and the Office are huge sellers overseas and so is the come dancing thing.
Worldwide will use the “who is the stig” to generate huge amounts of interest in the program thus making it sell.
I agree with a few of you who say Tiff and also them that say Ben Collins, I was at Earls Court for RPM and the wind up from the big silly one with the bad hair was “notice how tiff and the stig are never on stage together” and he is a very quick and smooth driver but if it is Ben Collins then that explains why the lap times in the reasonably priced car are so close to an F1 driver, a driver who knows a track very well will have 2 to 5 sec’s advantage over a better driver.
Thanks
Alexander
January 22, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I sure it was Ben Collins and a rumour of may be
Neil Cunningham
January 25, 2008 at 10:19 pm
did plans motorsport training on monday and was taught by phil keen on the top gear track.identical lines. very good. looking at him the stance and build are spot on
January 27, 2008 at 10:17 pm
There also was a rumour that the Stig is one of the early BTCC drivers. There have probably been several “Stigs”
January 29, 2008 at 7:48 pm
hi everyone stop debating been too the bbc studios and it actually ben collins so thanks
January 31, 2008 at 6:14 am
Thomas VanWingerden ?
February 1, 2008 at 6:23 am
it is/was Ben Collins most of the time. But its true, Stig is not a one person. And the thing is that he allegedly going to race in nascar and they have full on schedule out there, so he simply wouldn’t be available. so from next season onwards there’s got to be the new Stig. Hope he would be a manipulative driver as well (like Ben) and not reactive natural (like Perry McCarthy).
February 5, 2008 at 4:37 am
Ben Collins is indeed the Stig - che the HSE website for the report into richard hammonds accident - he is named as top gears driving consultant - if that s not enough go to bens website collinsautosport.com where it all comes together - clips used in top gear - driver instruction - film work etc
February 22, 2008 at 3:44 pm
The new picture with the in-helmet face shot looks remarkably like Jean Alesi’s eyes and face…..
February 22, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Is it just me or does the new photo look a lot like Jean Alesi, ex F1 Sauber Petronas/ Ferrari / Benetton driver…..
February 22, 2008 at 3:58 pm
the stig is pedro del a rosa
February 22, 2008 at 6:44 pm
the stiig looks like jason plato from fith gear,
February 22, 2008 at 6:51 pm
It looks a lot like jason plato but there is obviously more than one ’stig’
February 22, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Im with Mark Walters I have alway’s thought it’s Ben Collins and possibly Johnathan Parma (correct spelling?) but when I saw the pic I thought maybe not.. but it could be just to throw us all off who the real Stig is.. I dunno im kinda bored about this now its been going on for too long..
February 22, 2008 at 7:30 pm
i think the stig is an australian test driver called julian…
February 22, 2008 at 7:30 pm
The Stig is Ben Collins, he is a test driver for Ascari and has been involved with McLaren Testing, both are based within a few miles of the Top Gear studio
February 22, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Mark Blundell
February 22, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I think it looks a lot like Fernando Alonso. Of course, I am referring to the photo which reveals the Stig’s human face.
February 22, 2008 at 8:22 pm
It has to be a F1 driver, remember when the stig took the old jps black f1 car out on the track and as the hamster knows how hard it is to drive a f1 car and the stig drove the jps well so has to be damon hill.
February 22, 2008 at 10:16 pm
ITS MARK WEBBER BECAUSE WHEN LEWIS HAMMILTON WAS ON HE SAID MARK WEBBER CAME DOWN AND POURED OIL ALL OVER THE TRACK. ITS OVEOUSLY MARK WEBBER
February 22, 2008 at 11:25 pm
There is a massive assumption here that BBC didn’t hire an actor to fill in for the photo. In other words, this could be a photo of an actor (any old chap will do in a photo shoot) and a totally different person might don the costume when it’s time to actually get behind the wheel.
This could be the greatest fake-out ever.
You’ll never know. Ha.
February 22, 2008 at 11:34 pm
The first Black Stig was revealed to be Perry McCarthy when his book Flat Out, Flat Broke was published in 2003.
As most have said, the current white stig is most of the time Ben Collins. There have been a few exceptions..
In a Winter Olympics special episode of Top Gear, The Stig was shown doing a ski jump using a snowmobile. This was done by Dan Lang, a Swedish snowmobile cross champ. Also,the F1 car driven in the last series of Top gear by the Stig was Heikki Kovalainen on that occasion.
Also as mentioned Ben was exposed in the HSE report on Hammonds high speed crash as being top gears High performance driver and safety consultant. He will no doubt be replaced in Oct as he goes to the states soon. Hope that helps..
February 23, 2008 at 4:52 am
It’s Jensen Button. Compare with this photo.
Jensen
February 23, 2008 at 10:07 am
It’s Jan Lammers.
February 23, 2008 at 1:13 pm
ok ,ok i will own up once and for all .
the stig is. . . . . . . ME STUART EASTWOD. thankyou and good night.
February 23, 2008 at 1:58 pm
i think its the queen..
February 23, 2008 at 5:56 pm
it is ben collins 100%- top gear would never choose as anyone as obvious as an f1 star.
( lewis hamilton would have only been 17 when ‘white stig’ first started)- so too young.
ben collins is the stig because the TG team were calling the stig ‘ben’ over the radio in the 24 hr race they did recently - (i have heard this from a person who i know and he was listenting to the team radio)
February 23, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I am the stig, you are all wrong. Only a few people know my identity so it will be one of the hardest things ever to find out.
February 23, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I think its jason plato.. he has the same physique, capabilities and has never been on topgear. since he has time to film 5th gear, im sure he has some to drive a chevy for topgear!
February 23, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Hi, if you look closely, it is very evident who it is.
It is…
a Terminator!!
See the red glow from the one pupil? Skynet is REAL folks! Check out T3: The Sarah Conner Chronicles!!
February 23, 2008 at 9:04 pm
It looks like John Cleland!
February 23, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I’m the stig, and so’s my wife!
February 23, 2008 at 10:44 pm
The Stig is Sloth out of the goonies, or maybe Michael Jacksons monkey, aint seen either of them for years!
Or maybe its Tupac, Biggie or Elvis!
Not really its me Mrs Elizebeth Windsor.
February 24, 2008 at 12:00 am
The stig changes from time to time depending on what racing/stunt driver is available/required for the job in hand no-one could possibly be expected to drive like that in any situation for any purpose no matter how much skill they have. Am I the only person who has noticed that his height/bulid changes everytime he appears on the show. Everyone knows Perry McCarthy was the original but he had a big gob, and yes Ben Collins does alot for the show but I don’t think he is ‘The Stig’. To be completely honest with you if you can keep a secret, I’m the Stig!
February 24, 2008 at 2:10 am
its ben collins, hes the one tht signed on at britcar as top gears 4th driver, he’s in the HSE report into hammonds crash, he’s the only non BTCC driver who does stuff like car football (apart frm russ swift) and type his name into google and compare the eyes and eyebrows, perfect match
February 24, 2008 at 2:20 am
Guys, it’s definately Ben Collins look at the eyes (and more importantly eyebrows!) in these photos
http://www.collinsautosport.com/gallery.php
February 24, 2008 at 2:27 am
YOU’RE ALL WRONG, ITS ME !!
February 24, 2008 at 2:53 am
i think it is pedro de la rosa
February 24, 2008 at 2:54 am
eyes and brows
February 24, 2008 at 9:33 am
If you saw the 24hr Le Mans race on top gear, there were the 4 drivers names on the car, and national flags… the Stigs was German!!! So stop thinking UK driver…
February 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm
It’s Ben Collins. Compare the eyes in this pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cglock/1989396110/sizes/l/
February 24, 2008 at 12:33 pm
It’s not Alesi, the eye brows are too thin for it to be him. My first thought was Plato as soon as I saw it, but, now compairing it, it’s definatly Ben Collins.
February 24, 2008 at 1:52 pm
i think it’s Ben Collins. A lot of you have said that and if you look at his eyebrows on this pic-http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/editorial_images/2007/bencollins.jpg they are the same shape as the eyebrows in-http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/i/common/slideshows/stig_unmasked_448×300_2.jpg !!
February 24, 2008 at 2:17 pm
It looks like Michael Schumacher to me…
February 24, 2008 at 4:24 pm
You are all wrong. Its Earl Goddard of Fred Goddard Racing, Northamptonshire.
Former Euroboss European Champion. I know…………I serve him burgers and Coffee…………..
Come on Clarkson, we know you pick him up near Chipping Norton.
February 24, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Its Chuch Norris !!!!!!!
February 24, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Ben Collins is the stig …..i have worked on the set.
February 24, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Have to agree with Garry, I think it is Jason Plato!!!!
February 25, 2008 at 12:06 am
When Mansell stood next to the Stig he was only just over his shoulder in height !!
The Stig is Ben Collins its so obvious I can’t understand the point in debating there’s been so many give away situations over the years.
Ben is trying to race in America though so Stig will predictably die in the Summer of ‘08 when Ben gets the craftsman truck drive.
Edited by moderator.
February 25, 2008 at 9:57 am
eduardo that was a big dive he pulled anythin to be the full time stig ay…maybe jason plato
February 25, 2008 at 11:14 am
There is about 8-10 ‘Stigs’. Each with different driving abilities, each specialising in different types of vehicle. I know this for a fact. They use a different guy depending on the car.
February 25, 2008 at 3:01 pm
i think the stig is no toher den David Coultard same driving skills and technique.
also coultard is basically around the same height as clarkson so there you go folks.
its DAVID COULTARD!!
February 25, 2008 at 3:11 pm
it is ben collins
February 25, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Ok, i actually know who the stig is, 1st hand but i would hate to spoil it - there are 2 of them and you are very much on the money with one of your suggestions and the other one you are pretty close with,
oh and RUSS swift is too old………….
February 25, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Well i’ve just looked at a picture of ben collins found on yahoo images and the full face picture of the stig and it’s 99% certain that it’s the same person. But what the hell whoever the stig is they are one great driver but i would love to see a dry lap from lewis!!!!
February 25, 2008 at 5:50 pm
also in the new renault clio advert featuring all the lego is the stig driving it? looks like the same helmet and racing suit that he uses!!!
February 25, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I second what Rew has just said. Just do a search on yahoo or google and then look at images. If you look at the eyebrows, the eyes, the cheeks just below the eyes there is an incredible resemblence for Ben Collins photos that are on the web. Who know’s whether the photo of this person with the white outfit and white suit is ACTUALLY the person who is “The stig” on all the shows but comparing photo with photo I’m pretty confident. Assuming some of the blog writers above are telling the truth (I.E Worked around the test track set / been a driver on the same test days), I think we can put this one to bed.
February 25, 2008 at 8:12 pm
i think the stig is jason plato
February 25, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Right then! I also have raced cars and bikes and still instruct on both and let me tell you who is the stig - Yes at present it is Ben Collins but more often than not it is a Kiwi driver who drove in the British GT championship and also the Le Mans series las year!! And for the record, when Top Gear did the Isle of Man shoot with the Aston, Porsche and whatever, that was Damon Hill as he lives on the island!! So all you have to do now is go through all the Kiwi drivers, dont want to make it all easy……
February 25, 2008 at 11:37 pm
It’s Kris Meeke!
February 26, 2008 at 2:45 am
the guy in the new picture looks like Jason Plato
February 26, 2008 at 10:31 am
i red in classic car weekly that the stig is stig blomqvist
February 26, 2008 at 12:19 pm
i text AQA asking them who the stig was, and they said Ben Collins, and AQA never lies, so I’m sticking with that
February 26, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I think it’s Alain Menu
February 26, 2008 at 5:17 pm
As everyone is saying the test track Stig is Ben Collins, and has been for some time. Perry did come back for a few stints when Ben was busy with racing. Ben may well be on his way out of the seat soon though as he is working on a new seat in pro racing but that is another story and I wish him the best of luck with this. But people who are talking about BTCC drivers are not far off the mark as the Stig at the 24 hr race at Silverstone was an ex BTCC champion who will remain nameless
February 26, 2008 at 6:40 pm
BEN COLINS - SORRY TO TAKE THE MYSTERY AWAY. BUT I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT FROM FRIENDS CLOSELY INVOLVED WITH THE SHOW.
February 27, 2008 at 3:57 am
The stig is my girlfriend Davina Patel. =D
February 27, 2008 at 12:00 pm
These new pics suggest to me it’s Russ Swift. Although wouldn’t be suprised if there’s was a couple of them.. Russ Swift is definatelty one of them though for me…
February 27, 2008 at 2:13 pm
100% Ben collins since seeing the flash photo.
February 27, 2008 at 2:42 pm
It is renaults f1 test driver Julian Bailey and may be a few other but he is a f1 driver and test drivers are free more often than the actaul formula 1 drivers them self
February 27, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Take a close look, it’s Donny Osmond’s eyes!
February 27, 2008 at 4:13 pm
110% ben collins…….go and bet all u can on it !!!!!
February 27, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I think after careful consideration that it must be……………………………………HARRY HILL
February 28, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Perry McCarthy was the black Stig. There were other people who also performed as the Stig.
Ben Collins is the white Stig, but again there are other people who stand in for him from time to time.
The proof is in this legal document produced during the investigation after Richard Hammond crashed the jet car.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/releases/richardhammond.pdf
Paragraph 37 states “… Ben Collins, who worked closely with Top Gear as a high performance driver and consultant …”
March 2, 2008 at 1:15 pm
The Stig IS Ben Collins, absoluely, cerainly, positive. Check out Youtube with the keywords “stig ben collins” and tell me it is’nt if you dont agree.
March 3, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Has anyone heard of famous Scandanavian rally driver Stig Blomqvist? Drove for Audi and Saab in 70’s and 80’s. It seems unlikely that the name is a total coincidence. Or maybe it’s George Bush! :<
March 5, 2008 at 8:24 pm
i know for a fact that it is the vroom vroom test driver ben colins. Ive seen him at the topgear track so many times, and stigs and ben collins driving are very very similar
March 7, 2008 at 4:15 am
bobby
I heard about the scandinavian Stig, great and talented driver, I think he’s from Sweden, and yes, in fact he drove for Audi in the past
March 7, 2008 at 10:54 pm
What a load of Tosh.
I know exactly who the Stig is.
Okay, so have you noticed how the Stig has an inability to navigate thru London on Public transport?
An Ability to drive like a demon
Walked off in disgust during one of the car tests?
The whole attitude and abilities set matches exactly to my Mum.
Anyone wish to argue with her? Nope.. I wont either.. if She says she’s the Stig, then she is indeed, The Stig.
She drives a Lacetti too…
March 9, 2008 at 3:04 pm
yes f1, they put him in a Renault, they would not have done that if he never drove an f1 car at high and confident speeds..
March 10, 2008 at 9:22 am
well im as confused as most when it comes to his identity, but i ask myself would two different formula one teams loan one of their cars to any old driver………i think not. my thoughts are that it must be someone who has at minimum been involved with formula one and while probably not a driver , maybe a test driver?
March 10, 2008 at 9:24 am
what about the american stig?
March 10, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Ben Collins is over six feet tall!!!!
March 13, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Must be a F1 driver for some cars.The test with the Renault F1? Had to bee some one who have the skills to drive a F1 car. Or the use one of Renault racing drivers. The point is, they must have many diferent stigs…
March 13, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I´m the Stig!
March 14, 2008 at 9:49 pm
HI iTS GOT TO BE JASON PLATO WHO ELSE?
March 19, 2008 at 2:04 am
I know for sure it is not Stig Blomkvist, Mr Blomkvist is too old and portly.. no offence intended. If its a F1 driver, its a retired one, racing drivers are far too busy and far too well paid to make top gear programmes. I think it could be Damon Hill, because he appeared on old school top gear and Clarkson said something like, “He would be great on the show if he didn’t have to speak” surmising that Hill was a great driver, but a bit boring to listen to. They also made a big point of how Damon and the stig take different lines, almost to big a poing if you see what I mean. Damon owns a couple of companies but dose not drive competatively, he’s mates with clarkson, and he has the time on his hands. I’m not saying I’m sure it’s him, but its plausible.
March 19, 2008 at 2:50 am
Indeed i have just read the HSE report on Hammonds Accident, and it states that Ben Collins is the Top Gear production team’s “high performance driver and consultant”. It also goes on to explain that he was ten to visit Primetime Land Speed Engineering to asses them and the Vampire jet car, to confirm their authenticity in a way. And this was significant as this was the first time the BBC or Top Gear had used Ben Collins in this manner.
On this evidence I do agree that he is the stig. Mainly because Top Gear name him as their High performance driver and consultant during official enquiry, but at no point in the credits at the end of the show dose it name him as a driver, or consultant or anything. Now what could be their reason for that??
March 25, 2008 at 1:55 pm
i know it’s Ben Collins.
look at his watch and you have seen him on top gear uncoverd many times
driving the merc in the sky dive stunt
one of the drivers in the car foot ball
driving down the slope after the skate boarder
same watch all the time
March 26, 2008 at 2:32 pm
After seeing the picture in this article I would say it could be Jason Plato, his Stigness’s eyes look pretty much like Jason Plato’s eyes.
March 27, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Guys guy guys….
it is certainly more than one stig, it did say so on the secret pages of wikipedia (yes wikipedia has secret pages)
Ben Collins does SOME of it, the F1 one was Heikki Kovalainen.
As for the mystery kiwi im surprised no one has suggested Paul Radisch he used to do BTCC alongside Tim Harvey in the Peugeot 406.
It is different stigs people, wake up it isnt just Ben Collins….
And also, can I just add this: The Stigs vary in height, depending on who is available.
All the BTCC Champions from 1990 to today
1990 Robb Gravett
1991 Will Hoy
1992 Tim Harvey
1993 Joachim Winkelhock
1994 Gabriele Tarquini
1995 John Cleland
1996 Frank Biela
1997 Alain Menu
1998 Rickard Rydell
1999 Laurent Aïello
2000 Alain Menu
2001 Jason Plato
2002 James Thompson
2003 Yvan Muller
2004 James Thompson
2005 Matt Neal
2006 Matt Neal
2007 Fabrizio Giovanardi
Happy Stig Hunting! And all the people saying you are the stig, get a grip!
April 8, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Forget all of the above/below. I can’t believe its gonna take a woman to tell you that John Cleland ex-champ of BTCC is the stig!! Scottish with a mean driving sense. Not like any F1 drivers.
April 13, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I always thought it was Ben Collins but th pic looks like Lewis Hamleton!
April 14, 2008 at 1:50 pm
i think that before it used to be lewis hamilton as when he went on his trip round the track the top gear team seemed to jest about the fact that he got a very similar time to the stig baring in mind that it was wet, and from the way they were acting it just seemed like it was him.
April 14, 2008 at 10:56 pm
the stig is richard hammond the eyes match
April 15, 2008 at 9:50 pm
A newspaper said Julian Bailey was Stig (white)
April 16, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Julian Bailey raced with Tiff Needall at one point and I think maybe he’s Eddie Irvine the ex jag f1 driver
April 19, 2008 at 11:14 pm
The stig is jason plato
April 24, 2008 at 10:56 am
The stig is my dear old nan. she drives like him and she always wearing helmet.
or it could be danny davito
April 25, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Is it a relatively unknown driver, possibly Robert Jenkinson?
April 27, 2008 at 7:19 pm
look at the eyes in the photo and look at Richard Hammonds eyes and look ov the photo taken of the stig huge brown eyes
+ when the top gear winter olimpics was on who was the only person not watching when “the stig” jumped the snow mobile
April 27, 2008 at 8:11 pm
johnny herbert is the stig
April 28, 2008 at 9:35 am
jk from jamiroquai is the stig
April 28, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Ain’t no doubt, the eyes have it………………..It’s Plato.
April 28, 2008 at 10:25 pm
SteveR is correct, its Plato almost definately..
April 29, 2008 at 1:16 am
Hi guys i guess you are all wrong! (well i didn’t read every single one) but after seeing this on youtube i guess it’s an old series, hammond clearly says “stig our stuntman” and stig does not have all his gear on! he looks like a simple guy! If he’s famous i dont know who he is as i’ve never seen him before. Just in case the link does’nt come up go to you tube and type “Top Gear - High Speed Roll” and hammond will clearly reveal who stig is so i am not making this up here take a look!
p.s i reckon i should get some reward for this !!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hivbCfrNAH0
April 30, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Sorry to burst your bubble, but he says steve not stig.
May 9, 2008 at 1:39 am
Jason Plato is the stig, guarantee it!! I know from a very good source.
May 15, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I’m the stig
May 17, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Deffo truth is there have been different drivers from day one.
The UK drivers were Mike Smith(not the DJ but a car dealer/racer) during the planning,Perry McCarthy(got in trouble for abusing the Duncan Hamilton Jaguar D type) and Ben Collins(who is one of the two drivers currently doubling in the Aston Martin DBS for Daniel Craig in the new Bond film Quantum of Solace.
In addition some factory test drivers used plus the foreign Stigs were used locally.
No celebs,only motor trade or motor racing chaps.
This is 110% the true answer.
May 17, 2008 at 11:01 pm
THE STIG IS BEN COLLINS TRUST ME IV WORKED WITH THIS BLOKE MANY A TIMES OUTSTANDING D