# Clarkson and the Stig **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 11, 2010, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394 "2010-09-11T10:37:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/21 "2010-09-12T06:57:57Z")
I thought it was an open secret that Ben Collins was the Stig, or at least the “Primary” Stig? I’ve long been of the impression that there are a couple of “Stigs”, especially for things like The Race Across London which involved The Stig taking the Tube and where they could have gotten anybody to wear the Stig outfit and put them on the Tube. I think the problem isn’t so much that Mr. Collins has outed himself as The Stig, but it’s part of the deal that when a Stig is outed, they have to go from the show- there used to be a Black Stig way back in the day, who was outed by one of the Sunday papers and the character was “Killed off” after driving a car off the flight deck of an Aircraft Carrier. The thing is, rather a lot of Top Gear merchandise features The Stig, and with White Stig likely to be replaced, that means the Beeb’s going to have to rethink the merchandising for their most popular show. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/22 "2010-09-12T07:17:49Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > [News, sport, celebrities and gossip | The Sun](http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3133311/Ben-Collins-Lifting-the-lid-on-life-as-The-Stig.html) > > > [@](#): > > > > But there was one key project when it became clear where my future lay. It was a chance to race as The Stig at Le Mans 24-hour race. It was one of my dreams but, even as I began to talk about it, it was spelled out to me that I was expendable. > > > > I spoke to Top Gear’s executive producer Andy Wilman. I felt I deserved a shot at it. > > > > But he told me that, if I didn’t have a sponsor, another driver would drive as The Stig. > > > > I’d been the Stig for seven years and felt loyalty should pull in both directions, but perhaps I was naïve. I wonder how the guy is supposed to get a sponsor to race an La Mans without anyone knowing he was The Stig? So now that we know the real identity, what do we know about the real guy? Does he have a history as a racing driver? Does he have another life or profession under his real name and have some kind of decent professional reputation for something? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/23 "2010-09-12T09:33:34Z")
He’s the real deal – Formula 3, stunt driving, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/24 "2010-09-12T09:59:40Z")
Boyo Jim, here is a list of Top Gear episodes, including each episode’s “challenge” [List of Top Gear episodes - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Top_Gear_episodes) Here are some places to find episodes. Usually the search syntax is Top Gear [season xx] [episode xx] or Top Gear [series xx][series xx], but for the specials, you might wish to use Top Gear [specialname]. > **[您访问的页面不存在 - 56.com](https://www.56.com/404.html?videoDeleted)** > > 56网(www.56.com)是中国领先的视频分享网站。在56网，你可以在线观看视频、上传发布视频、分享视频和搜索视频在线播放。56网视频丰富多元， > 涵盖原创搞笑、娱乐八卦、汽车车模、游戏、美女、动漫动画等分类的视频，还有电影、电视连续剧、综艺节目等版权视频。分享视频，分享快乐，尽在56.com！ [http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-10-episode-9-december-9th-20\_179451.htm](http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-10-episode-9-december-9th-20_179451.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/25 "2010-09-12T10:25:43Z")
Unfortunately, the most recent season 15 suffered severely from budget cuts, so there were not as many episodes, the challenges were not as interesting, and the filming/editing/effects were not as good. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/26 "2010-09-13T04:59:29Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > [The Stig - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig#Creation_and_name) > > > [@](#): > > > > The name Stig stems from the fact that (Top Gear producer) Wilman and Clarkson had both been pupils at the private Repton School, where new boys had always been called “Stig”.[1][3] According to McCarthy, speaking in 2006, the producers had wanted the anonymous driver to be called ‘The Gimp’, referring to the use of gimp suits in BDSM sexual role-playing. After McCarthy objected, the name Stig was settled upon.[4] McCarthy had said of the idea at the time that “I don’t want to be forever remembered as the Gimp” Well, that doesn’t make it any clearer…still doesn’t explain what it means/stands for. But thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/27 "2010-09-13T05:08:37Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Well, that doesn’t make it any clearer…still doesn’t explain what it means/stands for. But thanks. [Wiktionary:](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stig) > [@](#): > > stig > > 1.(UK pejorative) someone from a poor background, with a poor dress sense ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/28 "2010-09-13T07:35:55Z")
OP you just aren’t getting it. There is nothing deep and meaningful going on here and nobody is suggesting to the contrary. Quite simply, Ben Collins was (at least in theory) hired as a professional to participate in an entertainment, a long running joke. Instead of behaving professionally, he spoiled the joke. He ruined the fun. He decided to advance (at least in the short term) his own interests instead of those of the public to whom he owes what little fame he has. There’s no law against it (or if there is that is not what is important). It’s a free country. It’s just in bad taste. He’s like the person who waits till you are 90% of the way through a shaggy dog joke and then blurts out the punchline, or who gives away the ending of a whodunit. It gets them ten seconds of attention but in the end everyone thinks they are a wanker. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/29 "2010-09-13T07:57:53Z")
I can’t help feeling that it’s all a put-up job. BC gets free publicity and a nice little pay-off, and Top Gear get a new Stig resulting in new merchandising. ---
**Author:** ![shamblesmaybe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@shamblesmaybe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamblesmaybe)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/30 "2010-09-13T12:12:27Z")
Princhester… Thank you for letting me know that I’m not getting it… Your second sentance is a bit more confusing. To whom are you directing > [@](#): > > There is nothing deep and meaningful going on here and nobody is suggesting to the contrary. exactly? I don’t see any mention of deep and meaningful prior to your somewhat circular statement. All I’m saying is that, quite possibly, BC has something interesting to say to many people who watch Top Gear and that the BBC is wasting (our) money fighting the case in court for no good reason. Those people who don’t agree with my perspective will, no doubt, exercise, their right not to but the book. There! Give people the right to make their own minds up rather than allow big companies decide what they can and cannot see. As for the rest of your post I can only respond from my own experience rather than the opinion of ‘the public’ enmasse you claim to represent, when I say that my experience of Top Gear is in no way ‘ruined’ by knowing the identity of the Stig. Something I cannot say about Mr. Clarkson for his repeated expression of fax betrayal or for the BBC for the attempted gagging order. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/31 "2010-09-13T12:22:41Z")
I always assumed that the whole point of the Stig outfit was that there was no one Stig - they could just use whoever was available at the time and familiar with the car in question, and they wouldn’t be identified. To pretend that one particular person “is” the Stig seems pretty disingenuous. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/32 "2010-09-13T12:56:47Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > I always assumed that the whole point of the Stig outfit was that there was no one Stig - they could just use whoever was available at the time and familiar with the car in question, and they wouldn’t be identified. > > To pretend that one particular person “is” the Stig seems pretty disingenuous. Most of the Stig’s job is to post lap times. As such, you need to use the same person running the same line, so that it’s all consistent. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/33 "2010-09-14T06:39:23Z")
> [@shamblesmaybe](#): > > All I’m saying is that, quite possibly, BC has something interesting to say to many people who watch Top Gear and that the BBC is wasting (our) money fighting the case in court for no good reason. I haven’t looked up the situation just to make this post but last I’d heard, the Beeb had lost their initial application which was for a gag order and at most would now just be seeking damages. Getting (you) money. > [@](#): > > As for the rest of your post I can only respond from my own experience rather than the opinion of ‘the public’ enmasse you claim to represent, when I say that my experience of Top Gear is in no way ‘ruined’ by knowing the identity of the Stig. Read this thread. Few seem to agree with your perspective, and many with mine. ---
**Author:** ![shamblesmaybe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@shamblesmaybe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamblesmaybe)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/34 "2010-09-14T07:17:48Z")
The BBC had their case thrown out… the law seems to have gone with common sense. (but to be fair that had happened before the OP so I can’t claim I didn’t know) ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/35 "2010-09-14T09:12:04Z")
From what I’ve read the BBC failed to obtain an interlocutory injunction preventing the publication of the book. That doesn’t mean the BBC won’t win its eventual claim for damages for breach of contract. If you’ve heard differently, you might like to provide a cite. ---
**Author:** ![Lasher\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Lasher\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasher_Z)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/36 "2010-09-14T10:58:01Z")
He may not mean much to a lot of people, but The Stig is the honest character in TG. He drives every car like his life depends on it and we would like him to have no preference for any particular car. Now we will be asking what car he drives, whether he has a thousand driving tickets etc. Ben Collins’ role in TG was created before him and he did not contribute to the colour commentary or the twists and turns like the other presenters (scripted ofcourse). By revealing his part, all he has done is assure himself of th old heave-ho. It may seem petty, but the role of The Stig is to provide an unbiased testing of motor vehicles around the track. He was billed as a presenter and should have been content. Unfortunately, like all people he is trying to lay claim to a title that is not him. The Stig is actually the suit, helmet, gloves and boots. As such, they only neet to posses a new body. P.S. He doesn’t look very sporting does he? ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/37 "2010-09-14T12:14:29Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > > [@kittenblue](#): > > > > Well, that doesn’t make it any clearer…still doesn’t explain what it means/stands for. But thanks. > > [Wiktionary:](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stig) > > > [@](#): > > > > stig > > > > 1.(UK pejorative) someone from a poor background, with a poor dress sense Believed to have originated from the eponymous character in the book Stig of the Dump (Clive King, Puffin, 1963, ISBN 0140301968). Ah, that helps. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![SunSandSuffering](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SunSandSuffering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunSandSuffering)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/38 "2010-09-14T15:16:54Z")
I saw the “Stig” Ben Collins at Silverstone (UK) this weekend taking part in the Le Mans series 1000km. Pic [here](http://i54.tinypic.com/24pgbb8.jpg). He came fourth in class and 12th overall driving [this](http://www.mazda-lola.com/racing/cars_lola_hpd2010.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/39 "2010-09-14T16:22:00Z")
[Previous thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=576811), and in the correct forum to boot. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394/40 "2010-09-14T20:36:03Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > So it’s basically just a running joke. > > the entire show of Top Gear is nothing but a running joke. > Yeah, there is some info about cars in there someplace, but who cares about that? Also, the Stig is not really one of the Top Gear testers, per se. He’s just their professional driver. All he does is provide a consistent driving skill when doing laps with different cars. That way the comparison will be somewhat more accurate. He wears a dark-faceplate helmet all the time, and yes he’s a running joke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarkson-and-the-stig/553394.md?page=1)