55 replies to this topic

[potmotr]

Ben Collins, who plays The Stig in BBC's Top Gear show, has signed to drive for Jack Daniels racing at this year's Bathurst 1000.

Collins tested a Holden Racing Team Commodore for Autosport a few months back.

Official V8 Supercars release

Stig to race at Bathurst

[Owen]

Ben Collins, who plays The Stig in BBC's Top Gear show

Is that true?

[krapmeister]

Man, am I disappointed - when I saw the thread title I thought Schumi was going to tackle the Mountain...

[potmotr]

Is that true?

Yeah, Ben Collins is absolutely the regular Stig.

They throw in guest Stigs like Schumacher and Heikki Kovalainen (driving the Renault) but Collins is the main man the rest of the time.

His job goes beyond the hotlaps. He also trains the guest drivers.

Collins has been exposed a couple of times by the papers.

But the clearest indication of all is after the Richard Hammond dragster crash.

In the police accident report Ben Collins was named as the show's 'high performance driver and driver trainer'.

He was also in Australia earlier this year testing a HRT Commodore at the very same time the Top Gear team were doing a stage tour of Australia and New Zealand.

There's no doubt at all.

Collins is a smart boy keeping a lid on it though.

[Owen]

Yeah, Ben Collins is absolutely the regular Stig.

They throw in guest Stigs like Schumacher and Heikki Kovalainen (driving the Renault) but Collins is the main man the rest of the time.

His job goes beyond the hotlaps. He also trains the guest drivers.

Collins has been exposed a couple of times by the papers.

But the clearest indication of all is after the Richard Hammond dragster crash.

In the police accident report Ben Collins was named as the show's 'high performance driver and driver trainer'.

He was also in Australia earlier this year testing a HRT Commodore at the very same time the Top Gear team were doing a stage tour of Australia and New Zealand.

There's no doubt at all.

Collins is a smart boy keeping a lid on it though.

Interesting. Cheers.

[Buttoneer]

Is that true?

He's the main man when they don't need an African or American cousin. Or a Schumacher.

[potmotr]

He's the main man when they don't need an African or American cousin. Or a Schumacher.

In the Hammond accident report it says Collins had visited the dragster owner to get a feel for the operation.

So I think he does far more on the show than just drive.

Question is, how will he handle a V8 Supercar around Bathurst.

British drivers with a far better track record in touring cars than Collins have struggled there.

I'm thinking Matt Neal, Andy Priaux...

[Owen]

In the Hammond accident report it says Collins had visited the dragster owner to get a feel for the operation.

So I think he does far more on the show than just drive.

Question is, how will he handle a V8 Supercar around Bathurst.

British drivers with a far better track record in touring cars than Collins have struggled there.

I'm thinking Matt Neal, Andy Priaux...

It'd be cool if he drove the race as 'the stig' and it was filmed for Top Gear.

[potmotr]

It'd be cool if he drove the race as 'the stig' and it was filmed for Top Gear.

It would, but no chance now he's been named as Collins.

BTW, Top Gear is massive in New Zealand and Australia.

[wonk123]

In the Hammond accident report it says Collins had visited the dragster owner to get a feel for the operation.

So I think he does far more on the show than just drive.

Question is, how will he handle a V8 Supercar around Bathurst.

British drivers with a far better track record in touring cars than Collins have struggled there.

I'm thinking Matt Neal, Andy Priaux...

I doubt he will set a time in the top 20 drivers!

[TinyJim]

Ben Collins used to tbe the Stig. They have a new driver for this series. it's easy to spot as he don't go sideways every 5 minutes. I believe Top Gear have a policy that if the identity is outed your sacked

[potmotr]

I'd consider Giovanardi and Neal far better drivers, with much more topline experience, than Ben Collins.

And look how they've got on at Bathurst...

2008 Bathurst Giovanardi crashes

Matt Neal loses his mind while being lapped

[potmotr]

Ben Collins used to tbe the Stig. They have a new driver for this series. it's easy to spot as he don't go sideways every 5 minutes. I believe Top Gear have a policy that if the identity is outed your sacked

The only precedent we have for Stigs being fired is the Perry McCarthy case.

IIRC his firing came down to demands for more money and also the fact he outed himself in his autobiography.

Neither Collins or any member of the Top Gear team has ever confirmed that he is the current Stig, so as far as I know the arrangement continues.

[cheapracer]

I'd consider Giovanardi and Neal far better drivers, with much more topline experience, than Ben Collins.

And look how they've got on at Bathurst...

2008 Bathurst Giovanardi crashes

Matt Neal loses his mind while being lapped

Yeah Mt Panorama, Bathurst has certainly got the numbers on Internationals, humbling the Worlds greatest drivers on mass.

Win Percy did well there a couple of times including a win and Jacky Ickx had a win although Ickx was certainly the 2nd driver to Alan Moffat during the race.

What goes around your kitchen floor at 100mph? Alan Moppit!

[potmotr]

Win Percy did well there a couple of times including a win

The 1990 race was the first I watched in full, and I've got to say, it was a totally awesome win.

Percy and Grice were amazing in that Commodore, humbling the Sierra Cosworths at the height of their power, and also the Nissan GTR.

[Alfisti]

What's his pedigree like? Bathurst i sno place for someone wet behind the ears, you are either gonna get hurt or be super slow ..... seems an odd place to start your touring car racing.

[Alfisti]

The 1990 race was the first I watched in full, and I've got to say, it was a totally awesome win.

Percy and Grice were amazing in that Commodore, humbling the Sierra Cosworths at the height of their power, and also the Nissan GTR.

It certainly helped that turbo's were letting go left right and centre.

[Andy35]

Give me a Ford RS500 Cosworth over a Vauxhall Monaro any day cobber.

Holden haven't even reached the level of the old Lotus Carlton even after all these years.

Crap at cars, crap at cricket.

Regards

Andy

[krapmeister]

Give me a Ford RS500 Cosworth over a Vauxhall Monaro any day cobber.

Holden haven't even reached the level of the old Lotus Carlton even after all these years.

Crap at cars, crap at cricket.

Regards

Andy

Jeezuz - u guys win one test match...

[potmotr]

I saw a Sierra Cosworth the other day and was startled at how dated they've started to look.

Would still love one though.

[Owen]

I saw a Sierra Cosworth the other day and was startled at how dated they've started to look.

Would still love one though.

Nice motor. A bit chavvie though.

[potmotr]

Nice motor. A bit chavvie though.

In Australia the Sierra Cosworth was viewed as pure European class, being driven by such exotic stars as Klaus Niedwitz and Anders Oloffson.

Especially classy compared to the bogan Commodores of the day and their foaming fans!

[TinyJim]

The only precedent we have for Stigs being fired is the Perry McCarthy case.

IIRC his firing came down to demands for more money and also the fact he outed himself in his autobiography.

Neither Collins or any member of the Top Gear team has ever confirmed that he is the current Stig, so as far as I know the arrangement continues.

It almost certainly has changed. Ben Collins was the Stig, and now they have a different driver

[potmotr]

It almost certainly has changed. Ben Collins was the Stig, and now they have a different driver

On what information are you basing this?

[evo]

you'd know if ben collins has been fired, you'd see a lot more of him racing under his own name

[Ross Stonefeld]

Not really, it's not like he has tons of sponsors. There are lots and lots of Stigs.

[wrighty]

.....British drivers with a far better track record in touring cars than Collins have struggled there.

I'm thinking Matt Neal, Andy Priaux...

I think he has a little more 'form' for ATCC cars as he did race the ASCAR series quite successfully iirc.....at least they're big and heavy and powerful and cumbersome....more how i imagine the ATCC cars to be compared to our 'super touring/wtcc' formula....we'll see eh I'll be rooting for him, watched him a few times several years ago, including a National class F3 performance at Donington where he made several of the 'Big' lads look pretty ordinary

[bystander31]

What's his pedigree like? Bathurst i sno place for someone wet behind the ears, you are either gonna get hurt or be super slow ..... seems an odd place to start your touring car racing.

Before Bathurst Collins is doing the enduro at Phillip Island - its not like the mountain will be his first time in the car.

[Tony Matthews]

I saw a Sierra Cosworth the other day and was startled at how dated they've started to look.

Would still love one though.

I've got one, and there are aspects of it that look ancient!, but if you see one on the road, you still have to look.

[wonk123]

Before Bathurst Collins is doing the enduro at Phillip Island - its not like the mountain will be his first time in the car.

The problem isn't going to be him getting used to the car!
While Phillip Island is a great track, it doesn't really prepare you for the Mount.

Plenting of people on first seeing it say "You can't be serious, you want us to do what" lol
a cousin of mine raced there, in the 80's and I remember him telling me he was still learning the place on his 6th visit there.

[wonk123]

Give me a Ford RS500 Cosworth over a Vauxhall Monaro any day cobber.

Holden haven't even reached the level of the old Lotus Carlton even after all these years.

Crap at cars, crap at cricket.

Regards

Andy

The poms would **** bricks if Warnie announced a comeback lol

[Jimisgod]

Before Bathurst Collins is doing the enduro at Phillip Island - its not like the mountain will be his first time in the car.

The Island being the 2nd hardest track in Australia after Bathurst...

[Alfisti]

The Island being the 2nd hardest track in Australia after Bathurst...

But it's not surrounded by walls and you're not flipping through fast left hand sweepers at 220KMH with bugger all run off and a concrete wall waiting for you.

He may surprise us all and run brilliantly but frankly, OS drivers have been slow for years since the V8's went really pro and even if he keeps it off the walls he'll likely be very slow. Cleland was the last really fast one and even then left a few 10th's on the track compared to mid pack runners like Brad freakin Jones.

I don't get why HRT seem to do this every year.

[potmotr]

I don't get why HRT seem to do this every year.

Neither do I mate.

Their overseas imports almost never seem to work out.

Is Seton back this year?

[Muz Bee]

Between Allan Moppit, Vauxhall Monaros and the Ashes cricket this thread is a bit OTT!

The Stig was definitely Ben Collins late last year (confirmed off camera by Top Gear personnel) although I'm sure there have been "guest Stigs". I'm interested to know what evidence there is that there is a Stig Mk 2 now.....

Ben's career in open wheelers isn't on fast forward so I would think the Bathurst deal is more keeping his hand in than anything else. If he starts to commit to a series I would take it as read that he has moved on.

[bystander31]

Neither do I mate.

Their overseas imports almost never seem to work out.

Is Seton back this year?

Seton is driving with Tony D'Alberto I believe.

[V8 Fireworks]

The Island being the 2nd hardest track in Australia after Bathurst...

If only they had the 500 at Winton.

Seriously, even with housing estates on the old fast tight tracks like Amaroo Park, Australia still has some very nice road course tracks all over the country.

[krapmeister]

If only they had the 500 at Winton.

Seriously, even with housing estates on the old fast tight tracks like Amaroo Park, Australia still has some very nice road course tracks all over the country.

Lakeside was awesome...

[cheapracer]

In Australia the Sierra Cosworth was viewed as pure European class, being driven by such exotic stars as Klaus Niedwitz and Anders Oloffson.

Especially classy compared to the bogan Commodores of the day and their foaming fans!

But it was Australia using many local built components and engines who built the fastest Sierra's in the world. Klaus was shocked at the power advantage.

Not sure there was any foaming Holden fans at Monza when Moppit and Harvey won there

This footage of Glenn seton is reasonably special, how to drive a turbocharged pig around a wet Bathurst track - i cant see it myself, hope it works for you guys.

[potmotr]

This footage of Glenn seton is reasonably special, how to drive a turbocharged pig around a wet Bathurst track - i cant see it myself, hope it works for you guys.

Nice clip man!

I had a look at one of those late 80s Nissan Skyline GTS-Rs (the one before Godzilla) and was shocked at how tiny the rollcage was!

[aguri]

I would give my first born to see F1 cars on the mountain.

True test of a driver....

[Alfisti]

This footage of Glenn seton is reasonably special, how to drive a turbocharged pig around a wet Bathurst track - i cant see it myself, hope it works for you guys.

People take th episs out of taxi drivers but fark me, a peaky turbo in the wet at Bathurst, that's a fair freakin effort. What a bloody race track, ya get a half chubby watching those clips

Edited by Alfisti, 24 July 2009 - 16:37.

[potmotr]

I would give my first born to see F1 cars on the mountain.

True test of a driver....

I think it has been done, or at least a few F5000 cars have run there IIRC.

[potmotr]

The Stig aka Ben Collins 26th in first practice...

26. Collins/T Kelly/Pretty Holden 2:10.8565 + 3.4820

[Don_Humpador]

Wouldn't he have to retire [from Top Gear] if he was found out?

[potmotr]

Wouldn't he have to retire [from Top Gear] if he was found out?

I think that's a bit of a myth.

Perry McCarthy was chopped because he wanted more money, not because he was exposed IMO.

[GreenMachine]

I think it has been done, or at least a few F5000 cars have run there IIRC.

Noooo, I don't think so. 2.5 Tasman/ANF1 cars have, as have the big banger sporties.

Aaaahh memories ....

[potmotr]

Noooo, I don't think so. 2.5 Tasman/ANF1 cars have, as have the big banger sporties.

Aaaahh memories ....

I love to see an F1 car around there.

[wewantourdarbyback]

I would give my first born to see F1 cars on the mountain.

True test of a driver....

Oh if only

[FormerF1Driver]

Oh if only

Williams would veto.