Lycaon Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 The Stig's ID is 'Top Gear' secret no moreBy JENNIFER QUINN, Associated Press Writer Jennifer Quinn, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 1, 12:01 pm ET LONDON – The opaque visor of one of Britain's most famous helmets has been lifted. The identity of The Stig, the always-anonymous test driver on the popular television show "Top Gear," has long been a closely guarded secret. On Wednesday, lawyers said the BBC had been refused an injunction blocking publication of a book revealing the identity of the character. Shortly after, publishers HarperCollins said in a statement that a 33-year-old racing driver named Ben Collins "has a great story to tell about his seven years as The Stig, which will appeal to a wide audience beyond just motoring enthusiasts." Calling it a "victory for freedom of speech," HarperCollins said the book will be published in Britain on Sept. 16. The white-suited Stig is the second in the role; the first Stig, who wore a black suit and helmet, was Perry McCarthy. He left the show in 2003 after his identity was revealed. The show has a long-standing policy of not commenting on The Stig's identity. A "Top Gear" spokeswoman said no decision has been made on whether the character will be back when the show returns. "Top Gear" is one of the BBC's most successful programs, and is seen in more than 100 countries around the world. Alongside the show's three garrulous hosts, The Stig is an always-silent presence, fearlessly navigating the show's test track in glamorous cars. Speculation over his identity is a favorite pastime for fans of the show, and the "Top Gear" website sells T-shirts proclaiming "I am The Stig," "I am not The Stig," and "I am The Stig's fat cousin," among others. "The whole point of The Stig is the mystique — the bizarre characteristics he has, the wonderment created about what he might think, feel, do or look like," producer Andy Wilman said in a post on the show's website. "Kids adore the conceit, and I believe adults, although they know it's a man in a suit (or is it?) gladly buy into the whole conceit because they find it entertaining." The Stig's Facebook page — which more than 2.5 million people "like" — says he was recently attacked by a goose, that his ears "are not where you would expect them to be," and that he thinks the movie "Star Wars" is a documentary. The BBC said it sought the injunction — the hearing was held in private — because viewers like the mystery surrounding the driver's identity and it's "vital to protect the character of The Stig." The broadcaster said that the judgment does not prevent them from taking the issue further in the courts. 'The BBC will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise," the broadcaster said in a statement. Collins' website says he has raced on the Formula Three and NASCAR circuits, and drove James Bond's Aston Martin in the 2008 film "Quantum of Solace." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100901/ap_on_en_tv/eu_britain_top_gear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the division of joy Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 If the driver was actually well known and not some nobody GP3 driver, I could see the point. But its not as if doing something like this is going to earn him LOADS more money or a seat at a better/bigger team. The only way he's going to sell copies of his book is by having "I AM THE STIG" on the front of it in huge letters. They also did this a while back to take the piss out of the stig persona. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldron Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 ... Is the money that he stands to make on this book enough to justify potentially being out of a job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the division of joy Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Not really.. The last guy who outed himself as the stig was kinda just ignored as he was a bit of a nobody wanting to build a name for himself off the back of doing something he could've potentially made a lot of money doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldron Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Not really.. The last guy who outed himself as the stig was kinda just ignored as he was a bit of a nobody wanting to build a name for himself off the back of doing something he could've potentially made a lot of money doing. I have to think that the same people who'd want to go out and buy the stig's book are the same people who would shun him for outing himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the division of joy Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Perhaps. Personally, I just think the guy got greedy and listened to some bad advice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 That or he got sick of living in his own shadow. MusicManiac must feel the same way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 there's gotta be an illness that causes one to be physically unable to walk away from a potential MM link. i think i'm going to call it Garret's disease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the division of joy Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 That or he got sick of living in his own shadow. MusicManiac must feel the same way... There is that, but to step out of said shadow, it helps if people will know who you actually are, or have something more interesting to say than "I was the stig". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jables Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Was. That's the hard part I guess. Still, being the world's longest running meme anonymously without any kind of glory would take it's toll. Here's to a new, pink Stig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the division of joy Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Pink stig would rock... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldron Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 Stig and his amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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