Professional race car driver Ben Collins has been identified through the High Court of London as The Stig after BBC looses court case. BBC’s Top Gear show is undoubtedly one of the most popular automotive shows among car enthusiasts and we have always wondered who the face was underneath the white helmet and race gear. Now we know who he is!
If you remember, Perry McCarthy was the previous Stig as it was revealed in his autobiography ‘Flat Out, Flat Broke’. Since 2003 the mystery of who flogged the crap out of cars around the Top Gear test track faded into a trivial guessing game.
Top Gear over the years thrived on the marketing success of keeping the identity of the Stig a secret. Yesterday during the BBC’s court case the lawyers said the BBC had been refused an injunction blocking publication of a book that revealed the identity of the Stig. Right 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.” HarperCollins said the book will be published in Britain on September 16th and called the situation a “victory for freedom of speech”. Now after every victory lap the Stig does from here-on-out we will all know who is really behind the wheel.
[source: InsideLine, Ben Collins photo credit: Associated Press]
Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice in the automotive media world for over two decades. With 20+ years of hands-on experience covering the industry, Malcolm has built a reputation for delivering honest reviews, sharp insights, and in-depth coverage of everything from new car debuts to high-performance test drives. Passionate about the evolving car culture and staying ahead of the curve, Malcolm continues to lead Automotive Addicts as a go-to destination for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
