top gear

[GeneticBubble]

For those of you fans like myself the new series of top gear starts tomorrow at 8. and aparently the stig removes his helmets! :o JC wrote that in his sun column and its on the website. "He said the stig barges into the studio and in an atmosphere you could cut with a knife, removes his helmet"

can't wait! no bad mouthing top gear in this thread if you don't like it stay out! :smt106

[missyburd]

ta for the heads up, I shall book myself a date with the telly tomorrow night then :-P

[MR UKI (1)]

BBC website said last week that this weeks show includes a race from Edinburgh to London. Jezza is on the footplate of that new steam train (Tornado), Hamster is on a Vincent Black Shadow bike and James in a Jag XK120. Should be good :D

[arcdef]

Clarkson taking public transport????? How did they manage that!

[-Ralph-]

I'll bet he takes his helmet off and for whatever reason, balaclava, back of head, special effects reveal a robot, etc, we are still none the wiser as to who it is.....

[Bluepete]

Some say he has a helmet tattooed on his face and that his eyes are iridium blue.

All we know is...................

It's ME!

Pete

[Seggons]

1 of 3 things will happen:

1. It won't happen, it'll all be a publicity stunt to bring in an influx of viewers.
2. It will happen but as Ralph said for whatever reasons we wont see his face. After all they didn't say they will reveal his identity just that he'll take his helmet off.
3. It will happen and it'll be this person (do not click or roll over the link if you don't want to know). Clicky (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Collins_%28driver%29)

Nether the less I'm still looking forward to it. :D

[Jamiebridges123]

Top Gear is probably one of the most watched shows, ever, in the universe! They don't need publicity. :p

[GeneticBubble]

some say that he can only drink 2 glasses of water a year and that if u see him without his helmet on he will vapourize...all we know is he's called the stig!

[DarrenSV650S]

Top gear is just quality. Looking forward to it :D

[Richie]

The Stig is a young German lady called ...

Sebine Smit...


I wish..


:eye: I love her....

[ScottishRawker]

they are also putting the new evora round the track,

wonder what the bookies are doing for the odds on the Stig!

i think ben collins!

[Quiff Wichard]

The Stig is a young German lady called ...

Sebine Smit...


I wish..


:eye: I love her....

WHAT ! !!


I am YOOUURR Wife RIICHIIIEEEEEEE

[Jamiebridges123]

The Stig is a young German lady called ...

Sabine Schmitz...


I wish..


:eye: I love her....


You wouldn't get very far on Valentines day without spelling her name correctly!

[Spiderman]

set tv to record this cos i wont be home by then. Cant wait but it looks i'll be waiting a little longer than the rest if you. :(
You all suck! :lol:
Top gear rules \\:D/

[Thingus]

I nearly had a ****ing heart attack when i saw it on BBC website.... TOP GEAR IS COMING YEEEEAHAHEUHAEUHIAUEHIUAEH

Only been waiting half a year!

[Bluepete]

The Stig is a young German lady called ...

Sebine Smit...


I wish..


:eye: I love her....


Gerrof!

She's mine, all mine I tells ya!

How cool is she! Blonde, sexy, and can drive like a goddess!

Pete ;)

[-Ralph-]

You wouldn't get very far on Valentines day without spelling her name correctly!

But if he put her surname in a valentines card, she'd think he was 11, but then again she's German, they don't use christian names do they ;-)

[Red Herring]

The Stig is a young German lady called ...

Sebine Smit...


I wish..


:eye: I love her....

Unfortunately for you I love her to......along with just about every other male petrol head!

[MR UKI (1)]

Unfortunately for you I love her to......along with just about every other male petrol head!

You love every male petrol head? ;)

[glsuk1970]

Brilliant!!

If the Stig is revealed today I'm going for this guy... linky. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Paffett)

[metalangel]

The Stig is a young German lady called ...

Sebine Smit...


I wish..


:eye: I love her....

Ich bin ein glass coffee table? :smt054

[Jamiebridges123]

But if he put her surname in a valentines card, she'd think he was 11, but then again she's German, they don't use christian names do they ;-)

Lol :p


Top gear in 1h 30 people!

[GeneticBubble]

1 hour now! can't contain...EXCITEMENT :smt119

[DoubleD]

This is The Stig, he is from this very forum.

Guess who?

http://www.davesale.co.uk/images/thestig.jpg

[Jamiebridges123]

keithd

[Quiff Wichard]

This is The Stig, he is from this very forum.

Guess who?

http://www.davesale.co.uk/images/thestig.jpg






some say he is more beautiful than Brad pitt and george clooney combined, some say that he invented the female orgasm and has made many wetter then windermere.. all I know is- he's a thoroughly nice chap.:D





..

[Quiff Wichard]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo way its him

noo way !! !

[Quiff Wichard]

crikey !

[the_lone_wolf]

Schumi was at the track earlier this week just to drive the FXX

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=708166

[BanditPat]

Shumacker or how ever you spell his name

[GeneticBubble]

suprised me tbh but now i feel disappointed that theres no more stig.

[BanditPat]

suprised me tbh but now i feel disappointed that theres no more stig.



I feel dissapointed because it wasnt some one from this country. like that ben collins marra

[dizzyblonde]

Shumacker or how ever you spell his name

Schumacher.....
:smt023

[etuna]

Eh?? You really think it was him or are you having a laugh?

[the_lone_wolf]

Eh?? You really think it was him or are you having a laugh?

+1

Somehow I don't think the BBC could afford to rent arguably the best racer in the world every week to have the **** taken out if him;)

[dizzyblonde]

I don't think it was him TBH.

[GeneticBubble]

hmm you raise a good point... but then why would they lie he proberly did it for less money to keep himself occupied and have some fun

[Demonz]

Maybe the real Stig didnt want to play ball... they had to get rid of him somehow... nice way to phase him out???

[charris]

Hands up all who don't believe he is the stig!

[GeneticBubble]

did you see the end. jeremy said maybe he isn't the real stig!
and the credits said the stig and special guest michael schumacher

[SuzukiNess]

nope dont believe schumi's the stig for one minute... just a windup :)

[DMC]

MS wont be the full time Stig, Ferrari would prob have have insisted just for the FXX lap.

[Davido]

Also, if Ferarri wanted him at an event for a long period of time it would complicate filming.

[Jamiebridges123]

nope dont believe schumi's the stig for one minute... just a windup :)

+1 :D

Greaaat to see Top Gear back, very good! There is a God.. :smt083[-o<

[Thingus]

I don't think i blinked the whole way through :D

I could believe Schumi was the stig, 1 day a week ain't much.

Anyway yeh he didn't walk like the stig.. if you know what i mean.

WOOHOO it's back!

[MR UKI (1)]

No way he is full time Stig. He's just this weeks guest, who happens to be the best F1 driver ever, so they get him dressed as the Stig for this show. Next week it will Mika Hakkinen or someone :D

[ThEGr33k]

Well, that wasnt super obvious. The Ferrari was Michaels so it was kinda easy to work out...

Still good show... let down a little by the Hamster not riding like he should have. Pussy tbh.

[dawn07]

Oh I really really want that Lotus! Can anyone lend me 50k?!:rolleyes:

[Jamiebridges123]

Oh I really really want that Lotus! Can anyone lend me 50k?!:rolleyes:

I'll lend you a 5'er.. only need....1000? other people? :-dd

[mattSV]

I'll lend you a 5'er.. only need....1000? other people? :-dd

Make that 10,000 ;)

[Quiff Wichard]

Make that 10,000 ;)


what a banker .. !

[MR UKI (1)]

Make that 10,000 ;)

Good news, starting price is a mere £45,000 so only 9,000 peeps fivers needed :D

[Jamiebridges123]

Make that 10,000 ;)

New simple maths was beyond my mental capabilities! thanks. :smt054

[dizzyblonde]

Still good show... let down a little by the Hamster not riding like he should have. Pussy tbh.


Have you ever ridden a brit bike?? I'm not surprised he came last.
My best mates dad had a series C black shadow. She was gutted when he sold it.

BTW another reason for Schumacher not being the Stig, is that his shoulders weren't broad enough. Stigs are much wider.

[mattSV]

Have you ever ridden a brit bike?? I'm not surprised he came last.
My best mates dad had a series C black shadow. She was gutted when he sold it.

BTW another reason for Schumacher not being the Stig, is that his shoulders weren't broad enough. Stigs are much wider.

Nowt wrong with my trumpet :confused:

[Orpheus]

Someone i work with is convinced it is Jay Kay

[-Ralph-]

Someone i work with is convinced it is Jay Kay

Size, body language, etc, that would make sense, but Jay Kay is not a "tame racing driver" and he's not as quick as the stig.

Michael Schumacher my ar$e.

The man inside the helmet could change as often as they want, nobody knows whose inside.

[dizzyblonde]

Nowt wrong with my trumpet :confused:

sorry, I don't know why I didn't write 'old brit bike'
I.e the sort with the brake on the 'proper side':rolleyes:

[thefallenangel]

Size, body language, etc, that would make sense, but Jay Kay is not a "tame racing driver" and he's not as quick as the stig.

Michael Schumacher my ar$e.

The man inside the helmet could change as often as they want, nobody knows whose inside.

as soon as clarkson teased it i said it won't make a difference, it's just a publicity stunt to get people talking about a show which apart from the races they have which are just a bit of a laugh is full of shizzle and they just down rate bikes as pointless which is wrong.

[dizzyblonde]

and they just down rate bikes as pointless which is wrong.

May and Hammond both ride. May has been known to do the Thunder Sprint. Its only Clarkson that hates em

[gruntygiggles]

Not as implausible as it may seem. They wouldn't have to pay him to go to the track once a week to drive that weeks car(s) for the purposes of that weeks show. They would only have to hire him for one or two days a month (or longer) and have all the cars needed for a certain amount of programmes that would allow him sufficient time to practise in each vehicle, record the fastest lap, move onto the next one and so on.

I'm not saying I believe Schuey is The Stig....HOWEVER, I do believe that it is very possible, certainly for the last couple of series. He'd only have to really spend 8-10 days filming max to get all the content the show need. If you accept that, then you could argue that drivers such as Ben Collins are brought in to do the longer segments, like travelling or the races they involve him in sometimes.

Remember that The Stig has the driving ability to beat the times of Hamilton and Button and in years past, the likes of Hill and Couthard. If you were Shuey, wouldn't you just love tormenting them on the track and again off it. Wouldn't you love the circus of mystery, everyone wondering who this incredible driver was??

I do believe that (at least recently) it is highly plausible that Shuey is The Stig!!!

[Jamiebridges123]

To be fair I think the reason "The Stig" is better round the TG test track is because he does so many laps there. All the F1 stars that have gone on only did some 10 practise laps, and OK, it's not a hard circuit, but I'm sure those few 10ths count!

[-Ralph-]

Not as implausible as it may seem. They wouldn't have to pay him to go to the track once a week to drive that weeks car(s) for the purposes of that weeks show. They would only have to hire him for one or two days a month (or longer) and have all the cars needed for a certain amount of programmes that would allow him sufficient time to practise in each vehicle, record the fastest lap, move onto the next one and so on.

I'm not saying I believe Schuey is The Stig....HOWEVER, I do believe that it is very possible, certainly for the last couple of series. He'd only have to really spend 8-10 days filming max to get all the content the show need. If you accept that, then you could argue that drivers such as Ben Collins are brought in to do the longer segments, like travelling or the races they involve him in sometimes.

Remember that The Stig has the driving ability to beat the times of Hamilton and Button and in years past, the likes of Hill and Couthard. If you were Shuey, wouldn't you just love tormenting them on the track and again off it. Wouldn't you love the circus of mystery, everyone wondering who this incredible driver was??

I do believe that (at least recently) it is highly plausible that Shuey is The Stig!!!

Nah, if you spent that much money on a celebrity driver who would bring ratings, you wouldn't hide his identity. MS costs 80 million a year, thats 3 million quid for ten days filming assuming he works 260 days a year like the rest of us which I doubt. Top Gear in it's current format was released on a shoestring budget in 2002, now reckoned to be between 5 and 7.5 million per season, the biggest individual cost being Clarkson who gets 2 million. The Stig's identity was hidden because mystery was more glamerous than truth. The reason he's so quick is 'cos it's his track and nobody has had more practice, not 'cos he's an F1 driver.

[gruntygiggles]

I didn't say I believed he was the Stig...I said I believed it was plausible......Ben Collins has been doing loads for them. BUT...........as you say......The Stig has more lap time on that track than anyone and so can drive it better than any other driver....agreed and a point I have myself made to others in the past. I do know however that a past formula one driver (non british) has appeared as The Stig on Top Gear on way more than one occasion. That was info from someone that has worked with Shuey in the past.

So.....maybe when I finally get my job interview I'll be able to ask the direct question and find out!!

Then again...maybe not the question to ask in an interview....lol

[anna]

RUBBISH he is not the stig.

Firstly the driving style is completley different, shuey has a history in enduro racing and conserves his tyres more then the stig does. The stig throws the car around the track in a way that Shuey would feel was messy.

Secondly, he doesnt have the sense of humour it would require to be the stig. If he had honestly beaten people there is no way he wouldnt want to brag about it.

Thirdly, why would the BBC want to promote a non British driver? Surley it would be a bit insulting the fact that the UK has more then able drivers to be the stig... why would they want to get a German in?

Lastly, as has already been mentioned; money. BBC budget for his pay packet.......... I dont think so.

However congratulations to topgear... first in this series already has us on the edge of our seats talking about it.

[squirrel_hunter]

Regardless whether he is The Stig or not that is the first time I've seen Michael Schumacher with a personality.

[Noble Ox]

Regardless whether he is The Stig or not that is the first time I've seen Michael Schumacher with a personality.

Personality - everything he said seemed pretty scripted to me!

My guess is hes a BTCC driver. Theyd be more suited to racing in road cars than an F1 driver, cheaper for the BBC and could prob do with the extra £$¥?. Couldnt say who but deff not Plato!!

[anna]

Regardless whether he is The Stig or not that is the first time I've seen Michael Schumacher with a personality.


Dont be silly mate... .auto script is great personality maker ;)

[davepreston]

i got 4/1 its matt neil

[Jamiebridges123]

It's Ben Collins, already been well documented. :-s

[Viney]

RUBBISH he is not the stig.

Firstly the driving style is completley different, shuey has a history in enduro racing and conserves his tyres more then the stig does. The stig throws the car around the track in a way that Shuey would feel was messy.

Secondly, he doesnt have the sense of humour it would require to be the stig. If he had honestly beaten people there is no way he wouldnt want to brag about it.

Thirdly, why would the BBC want to promote a non British driver? Surley it would be a bit insulting the fact that the UK has more then able drivers to be the stig... why would they want to get a German in?

Lastly, as has already been mentioned; money. BBC budget for his pay packet.......... I dont think so.

However congratulations to topgear... first in this series already has us on the edge of our seats talking about it.Of course he isnt the stig. He would however be the only person allowed to drive the Ferrari XFFFFkingfast (Orwhatever it was called)

[fizzwheel]

He's not, however that was one of the best interviews I've seen Schui give, scritped or not, it was nice to see a lighter side to his personality and away from the pressures of F1 he doesnt seem quite as up himself as he once used to. Maybe age has also mellowed him a little to.

From what I've read The Stig isnt always the same person and they swap "stigs" around depending on what car is being driven etc etc etc.

It doesnt really matter, last nights episode was top TV IMHO.

[Miss Alpinestarhero]

I thought it was a good show. My fave bit was seeing clarkson loose :D and to add insult to injury..he lost to james may :rambo: brilliant :D:D

[SoulKiss]

May and Hammond both ride. May has been known to do the Thunder Sprint. Its only Clarkson that hates em

I'm not convinced that Clarkson hates them - on the train it went a bit "side-to-side" and he in a VERY natural way (ie no hesitation or anything) referred to it as a "Tankslapper".

Who knows, maybe the Vietnam thing gave him a taste for it and he's been out riding in secret......

[missyburd]

The man inside the helmet could change as often as they want, nobody knows whose inside.
They've no doubt got a few lined up, they just pick who's available that week, or there's some sort of rota involved :p

Cracking show it was, felt a tad sorry for Hammond on that Shadow in the pouring rain, why didn't he take his waterproofs, silly lad... :rolleyes:

[ThEGr33k]

I'm not convinced that Clarkson hates them - on the train it went a bit "side-to-side" and he in a VERY natural way (ie no hesitation or anything) referred to it as a "Tankslapper".

Who knows, maybe the Vietnam thing gave him a taste for it and he's been out riding in secret......


He has mentioned them before as well at least once that ive heard.

I've also heard him say that he doesnt hate bikes, he just doesnt like the screaming inline 4's wizzing past his house (cant blame him tbh) on nice days... which i cant blame him for, he also went on to say "Those Ducati [V-Twins] things sound nice though".

He also confessed to understanding the enjoyment of a 2 wheels vehicle on the end of the last series.

All in all I dont think he does dislike them, its just one of his ways of getting people rilled... he does it all the time to other groups too to be fair.

[Geoffrey]

yet another staged race to watch, exciting but staged.

[Spiderman]

They're always staged tho, they kinda admit to that in the shows. But great TV once again.

And i know who the Stig is, its me! :lol:

[rowdy]

They're always staged tho, they kinda admit to that in the shows. But great TV once again.

And i know who the Stig is, its me! :lol:
Bleh, is it f***. I'm not saying owt other than I live 10 minutes away from dunsfold aerodrome;).

[mattSV]

It's Ben Collins, already been well documented. :-s

Seconded - if you read the Health & Safety report following Hammond's jet car crash, he is referred to as a 'professional driver who provides technical advice to Top Gear' (or something like that).

In case you still think it is Schuey (or anyone else):-

clicky (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ben+collins+stig&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a)

[TimTucker]

I'm not convinced that Clarkson hates them - on the train it went a bit "side-to-side" and he in a VERY natural way (ie no hesitation or anything) referred to it as a "Tankslapper".

I don't think the use of the word "tankslapper" should be taken as proof that Clarkson likes bikes. The word is now used to describe a car's handling getting a little wayward, too. Martin Brundle, for one, quite often uses it in his F1 commentary.

I don't think Clarkson, in private, dislikes bikes as much as he appears to on the show, but he's certainly not a fan. And why should it matter? I enjoy Top Gear and I enjoy, for the most part, Clarkson's posturing.

[Geoffrey]

Bleh, is it f***. I'm not saying owt other than I live 10 minutes away from dunsfold aerodrome;).
are you talking about the races or the stig?

[nakedblue650]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/09/24/article-0-02C3D68C00000578-851_468x640.jpg

Can understand why hes not keen - at the mo!

nb650

[plowsie]

Stig is not Schumi, just that episode in my opinion, Clarkson gave it away when he said about the FXX - "Ferrari let you buy these and keep them and transport them to a track and let you drive them, then take them back". Ferrari would not let someone like whoever the stig has been rumoured as drive one, however, F1 champ however many times, Ferrari dedicated Michael Schumacher, yes IMO.

Ah well, was a good show, glad its back :D

[MR UKI (1)]

Also, when 'White Stig' was unveiled, Schumacher was still racing in F1, so unlikely to have time for Stig duties whilst doing that.

[plowsie]

Also, when 'White Stig' was unveiled, Schumacher was still racing in F1, so unlikely to have time for Stig duties whilst doing that.
I noticed when they asked him what he'd been up to, he didn't say about wildcarding in German Superbikes a time or two (I thought he did :-S)

Yep, here he is
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/209547/images/300x200/Schumey%20fall%201.jpg
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/209547/images/300x200/Schumey%20fall%202.jpg

[Nicky S]

Top gear is just quality. Looking forward to it :D

was good to watch and i loved the race they did but we all know that isnt the real stig special if that is what his lap was like lol

[metalangel]

It almost certainly was him in the Ferrari though, given he probably designed the whole thing himself.