The Stig: Difference between revisions
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| name = The Stig |
| name = The Stig |
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| image = TopGearStig.jpg |
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| caption = The Stig (Series 3 onwards) |
| caption = The Stig (Series 3 onwards) |
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'''The Stig''' is a professional [[auto racing|racing driver]] on the [[BBC]] [[automobile|motoring]] show ''[[Top Gear]]''. He is cast as the show's mysterious "tame racing driver" whose identity is unknown, and who never speaks on camera. Nonetheless he is fully credited as a presenter along with [[Jeremy Clarkson]], [[Richard Hammond]] and [[James May]]. |
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His primary function on the show is to drive various cars during segments of the programme, most often around the ''Top Gear'' test circuit, setting times which are then recorded on the [[Top Gear#Power Laps|Power Lap]] board. His second duty is to train whoever is the show's [[Top Gear#Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car|Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car]] that week. |
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The Stig's name derives from presenter |
The Stig's name derives from presenter Jeremy Clarkson's schooldays at [[Repton School]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22750-1857808_2,00.html | title=The backroom boy who put Top Gear on top of the world | work=Times Online | date=[[2005-11-06]] |accessdate=26 September | accessyear=2006}}</ref> |
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==Identity== |
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==The Stig's identity== |
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[[Image:TheStig.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Stig ( |
[[Image:TheStig.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Stig (Series 1 & 2)]] |
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The Stig's true identity is never revealed on the show, and in order to maintain the secrecy, all shots show him wearing full racing [[overall]]s and matching [[helmet]]. All that can be seen from the gap between his helmet and jumpsuit is that he is a white male. It is also known that he wears size 10 racing boots as discovered by the [[The Sunday Times (UK)|Sunday Times]] <ref>{{cite web | url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22750-2270385_3,00.html | title=Bad boys are back in town | work=Times Online | date=[[2006-06-16]] |accessdate=26 September | accessyear=2006}}</ref> when the Driving section wrote an article about the show. |
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Officially there have been two Stigs. The first Stig (who wore black overalls and helmet) was "killed off" at the start of the third season when he was shown driving over the edge of the [[HMS Invincible (R05)|HMS ''Invincible'']] during a stunt and landing in the sea. He was replaced by a new Stig (wearing all white) who is the current driver on the show. |
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The Stig has listened to several different types of music during his power laps on ''Top Gear'', such as [[easy listening]], [[prog rock]] and [[baroque music|baroque]], much to the amusement of the presenters of the show. Starting in series 8, the Stig began listening to language tapes, originally for [[Italian language|Italian]], then for [[Greek language|Greek]]. |
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The |
The identity of the first Stig was revealed to be [[Perry McCarthy]] when his book ''[[Flat Out, Flat Broke]]'' was published in 2003. McCarthy is a former [[Formula 1]] driver and test driver for the [[Benetton Formula|Benetton]], [[Arrows]] and [[WilliamsF1|Williams]] teams, and also tested for BMW F1. |
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| ⚫ | The identity of the new Stig has not been officially revealed. However, rumours abound that several racers take the role of the Stig in various capacities. In a [[Winter Olympics]] special episode of ''Top Gear'', the Stig was shown doing a ski jump using a snowmobile. According to the Swedish tabloid newspaper ''[[Aftonbladet]]'', the snowmobile driver performing the ski jump stunt was Dan Lang, a Swedish snowmobile cross driver.<ref>{{sv icon}}{{cite web | url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,788722,00.html | title=''Han hoppar med skoter'' | work=''[[Aftonbladet]]'' | date=[[2006-03-07]] |accessdate=26 September | accessyear=2006}}</ref> In January 2006, the ''[[Daily Express]]'' claimed that the identity of the Stig is former Formula 1 driver [[Julian Bailey]]. |
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In the first episode of the third series, the original Stig was killed off. He was shown driving off the end of the British [[aircraft carrier]] [[HMS Invincible (R05)|HMS ''Invincible'']] after failing to brake in time. This prompted a change of dress and music, and the "white Stig" was introduced in the second episode of series 3, on [[November 2]], [[2003]]. |
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Some fans of the show have speculated that the current Stig is a former or current Formula 1 driver. The show has capitalized on this speculation by hosting several F1 drivers on the program, ambiguously hinting that any of them may be the Stig without ever revealing his true identity. |
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| ⚫ | On the episode of [[June 26]], [[2005]], [[Damon Hill]] appeared as the ''Star in a Reasonably Priced Car''. When asked by Clarkson if he was the Stig, Hill did not deny it. [[Mark Webber]] was interviewed on [[July 31]], [[2005]] and at the conclusion of his lap Clarkson presented him with an "I AM THE STIG" T-shirt. Webber was then warned not to wear it around the F1 paddock, as "''[[Michael Schumacher|Michael]] doesn't always wear red''". <ref>''Top Gear'' Season 6, Episode 10 ([[2005-07-31]])</ref> |
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Some fans of the show have speculated that current Stig is a former or current [[Formula 1]] driver after it was revealed the black Stig was a former F1 driver. The show has capitalized on this speculation both directly and indirectly. |
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When former F1 driver [[Nigel Mansell]] appeared on the show, Jeremy Clarkson noted that the Stig theorized that the [[Suzuki Liana]] (the show's "reasonably priced car" at the time) could achieve a 1:44 time on the track.<ref>''Top Gear'' Season 7, Episode 5 ([[2005-12-11]]) ''Jeremy Clarkson: The Stig has always told us, that track would give us a 1:44 in that car, and I thought..."''</ref> Mansell proved the Stig's theory by lapping in a time of 1:44.6. |
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Rumours that the Stig was former F1 world champion [[Damon Hill]] were compounded when Hill appeared on ''Top Gear'' on [[June 26]], [[2005]] as the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car." When asked if he was the Stig, Hill didn't deny it. In addition, some took his rapid availability to appear on the show in another guest's absence to indicate further evidence that he was the Stig.<ref>''Jeremy Clarkson: Surely God in disguise'' [http://www.samizdata.net/blog/archives/005082.html SamizData.net]. Final Paragraph. Retrieved 10 July 2006</ref> |
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| ⚫ | During the review of [[Jenson Button]]'s lap, Clarkson commented that he, as did most of the other F1 drivers, took very different [[racing line|lines]] than the Stig. Button commented that the Stig "''obviously isn't a Formula One Driver.''"<ref>Top Gear Season 8, Episode 8 ([[2006-07-30]]) ''Jeremy Clarkson: You do that line as well! Formula One drivers all do that and The Stig doesn't! Jenson Button: Oh really? Jeremy Clarkson: No. Jenson Button: Well obviously, the Stig isn't a Formula One Driver. Jeremy Clarkson: Might be."</ref> |
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| ⚫ | On [[ |
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| ⚫ | The presenters of ''Top Gear'' regularly introduce the Stig with a few jocular, spurious rumours before each appearance. In earlier episodes, the Stig was introduced with various ad-libbed lines from the presenters, such as "''Please welcome, his Holiness, the Stig!''" Later episodes standardised the introduction, usually leading in with some outlandish claim (e.g., "''Some say the outline of his left nipple is exactly the same shape as the [[Nürburgring]]''"<ref>''Top Gear'' Season 8, Episode 5 ([[2004-06-04]])</ref>) and concluding with "''All we know is, he's called the Stig.''" The general suggestion created by these introductions is that the Stig is not a normal human being. |
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== Listening habits == |
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| ⚫ | |||
Another source of entertainment for the presenters is the Stig's choice of music he listens to while doing Power Laps around the Top Gear track. Often a specific genre will be chosen for one or more seasons. These have included [[one-hit wonder]]s, [[easy listening]], [[prog rock]], [[baroque music|baroque]], [[advertising]] jingles and even language tapes. |
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| ⚫ | The presenters of ''Top Gear'' |
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<!--REMOVED: already in Top Gear universe so doesn't classify as "other" appearances |
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==Other appearances of the Stig== |
==Other appearances of the Stig== |
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On 2005's ''Revved Up'' DVD, Richard Hammond is shown in the ''Top Gear'' bunker opening a cupboard where they supposedly keep the Stig. A dead looking figure in the Stig's racing overalls is shown lying in the cupboard. Similarly, when the hosts went to the [[Isle of Man]] for a test, Jeremy Clarkson was dispatched to the airport to pick up the Stig, where he is shown arriving on the baggage claim conveyor belt before being pushed out on a [[hand truck|trolley]] by Clarkson. |
On 2005's ''Revved Up'' DVD, Richard Hammond is shown in the ''Top Gear'' bunker opening a cupboard where they supposedly keep the Stig. A dead looking figure in the Stig's racing overalls is shown lying in the cupboard. Similarly, when the hosts went to the [[Isle of Man]] for a test, Jeremy Clarkson was dispatched to the airport to pick up the Stig, where he is shown arriving on the baggage claim conveyor belt before being pushed out on a [[hand truck|trolley]] by Clarkson. |
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In series 8, the Stig took on more of a theatrical role participating in a 250+ mile race from London to the Knockhill race track near [[Dunfermaline]], [[Scotland]], in an attempt to reach the track before the Top Gear presenters could assemble a [[Caterham Super Seven]] [[kit car]]. The Stig drove his already assembled Caterham past onlookers in downtown London, made a "pit stop" (or splash and dash) at the Oxford Services and was shown pumping his own petrol, at one point attempting to pay for it with a [[Credit Card|credit]]/[[debit card]] issued by the fictional "Bank of Money." Just before reaching the track, he was apparently arrested by local police, [[Fife Constabulary]], after being pulled over for speeding. |
In series 8, the Stig took on more of a theatrical role participating in a 250+ mile race from London to the Knockhill race track near [[Dunfermaline]], [[Scotland]], in an attempt to reach the track before the Top Gear presenters could assemble a [[Caterham Super Seven]] [[kit car]]. The Stig drove his already assembled Caterham past onlookers in downtown London, made a "pit stop" (or splash and dash) at the Oxford Services and was shown pumping his own petrol, at one point attempting to pay for it with a [[Credit Card|credit]]/[[debit card]] issued by the fictional "Bank of Money." Just before reaching the track, he was apparently arrested by local police, [[Fife Constabulary]], after being pulled over for speeding. |
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--> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<div class="references-small"><references/></div> |
<div class="references-small"><references/></div> |
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Revision as of 14:23, 2 October 2006
The Stig | |
|---|---|
| File:TopGearStig.jpg The Stig (Series 3 onwards) | |
| Born | unknown |
| Occupation | "Tame Racing Driver" |
The Stig is a professional racing driver on the BBC motoring show Top Gear. He is cast as the show's mysterious "tame racing driver" whose identity is unknown, and who never speaks on camera. Nonetheless he is fully credited as a presenter along with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
His primary function on the show is to drive various cars during segments of the programme, most often around the Top Gear test circuit, setting times which are then recorded on the Power Lap board. His second duty is to train whoever is the show's Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car that week.
The Stig's name derives from presenter Jeremy Clarkson's schooldays at Repton School.[1]
Identity
The Stig's true identity is never revealed on the show, and in order to maintain the secrecy, all shots show him wearing full racing overalls and matching helmet. All that can be seen from the gap between his helmet and jumpsuit is that he is a white male. It is also known that he wears size 10 racing boots as discovered by the Sunday Times [2] when the Driving section wrote an article about the show.
Officially there have been two Stigs. The first Stig (who wore black overalls and helmet) was "killed off" at the start of the third season when he was shown driving over the edge of the HMS Invincible during a stunt and landing in the sea. He was replaced by a new Stig (wearing all white) who is the current driver on the show.
The identity of the first Stig was revealed to be Perry McCarthy when his book Flat Out, Flat Broke was published in 2003. McCarthy is a former Formula 1 driver and test driver for the Benetton, Arrows and Williams teams, and also tested for BMW F1.
The identity of the new Stig has not been officially revealed. However, rumours abound that several racers take the role of the Stig in various capacities. In a Winter Olympics special episode of Top Gear, the Stig was shown doing a ski jump using a snowmobile. According to the Swedish tabloid newspaper Aftonbladet, the snowmobile driver performing the ski jump stunt was Dan Lang, a Swedish snowmobile cross driver.[3] In January 2006, the Daily Express claimed that the identity of the Stig is former Formula 1 driver Julian Bailey.
Some fans of the show have speculated that the current Stig is a former or current Formula 1 driver. The show has capitalized on this speculation by hosting several F1 drivers on the program, ambiguously hinting that any of them may be the Stig without ever revealing his true identity.
On the episode of June 26, 2005, Damon Hill appeared as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car. When asked by Clarkson if he was the Stig, Hill did not deny it. Mark Webber was interviewed on July 31, 2005 and at the conclusion of his lap Clarkson presented him with an "I AM THE STIG" T-shirt. Webber was then warned not to wear it around the F1 paddock, as "Michael doesn't always wear red". [4]
When former F1 driver Nigel Mansell appeared on the show, Jeremy Clarkson noted that the Stig theorized that the Suzuki Liana (the show's "reasonably priced car" at the time) could achieve a 1:44 time on the track.[5] Mansell proved the Stig's theory by lapping in a time of 1:44.6.
During the review of Jenson Button's lap, Clarkson commented that he, as did most of the other F1 drivers, took very different lines than the Stig. Button commented that the Stig "obviously isn't a Formula One Driver."[6]
Introductions
The presenters of Top Gear regularly introduce the Stig with a few jocular, spurious rumours before each appearance. In earlier episodes, the Stig was introduced with various ad-libbed lines from the presenters, such as "Please welcome, his Holiness, the Stig!" Later episodes standardised the introduction, usually leading in with some outlandish claim (e.g., "Some say the outline of his left nipple is exactly the same shape as the Nürburgring"[7]) and concluding with "All we know is, he's called the Stig." The general suggestion created by these introductions is that the Stig is not a normal human being.
Listening habits
Another source of entertainment for the presenters is the Stig's choice of music he listens to while doing Power Laps around the Top Gear track. Often a specific genre will be chosen for one or more seasons. These have included one-hit wonders, easy listening, prog rock, baroque, advertising jingles and even language tapes.
References
- ^ "The backroom boy who put Top Gear on top of the world". Times Online. 2005-11-06. Retrieved 26 September.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bad boys are back in town". Times Online. 2006-06-16. Retrieved 26 September.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Template:Sv icon"Han hoppar med skoter". Aftonbladet. 2006-03-07. Retrieved 26 September.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Top Gear Season 6, Episode 10 (2005-07-31)
- ^ Top Gear Season 7, Episode 5 (2005-12-11) Jeremy Clarkson: The Stig has always told us, that track would give us a 1:44 in that car, and I thought..."
- ^ Top Gear Season 8, Episode 8 (2006-07-30) Jeremy Clarkson: You do that line as well! Formula One drivers all do that and The Stig doesn't! Jenson Button: Oh really? Jeremy Clarkson: No. Jenson Button: Well obviously, the Stig isn't a Formula One Driver. Jeremy Clarkson: Might be."
- ^ Top Gear Season 8, Episode 5 (2004-06-04)
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to The Stig.