Straw Poll: Has the question of the identity of the Stig lost its mystique?

Mineworksfine · May 29th, 2008, 08:29 PM

I have noticed over the last couple of years that the hype about the Stig's true identity seems to have died down a tad.

I have long suspected a particular candidate, and this was "confirmed" last year, when I was one of the semi-finalists in the Dunlop Race Academy at Thruxton, by Le Mans series racer Calum Lockie who was one of our instructors on the day. He confirmed my suspiscions without a moment's hesitation or any prompting (ie he named a name having been asked if he knew who the Stig was), but also added that manufacturers often send their own test drivers to dress as the Stig for some of the hot laps, particlarly the high end car makers such as Ferrari.

I'm not going to say who I think/Calum said it is, I simply want to know which fellow forum members still care, and which have long since stopped being bothered about it? Feel free to put your chief suspect down if you wish, but I don't want to start a load of arguments in this thread so please don't criticise others who post theirs.

eltoro507 · May 29th, 2008, 09:09 PM

The consensus among the irc idlers is Ben Collins.

Labcoatguy · May 29th, 2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mineworksfine

I have noticed over the last couple of years that the hype about the Stig's true identity seems to have died down a tad.

I care about the identity of the Stig in the same way I care about the identity of the mall Santa. I assume there are multiple people playing this mythical creature, and beyond that, don't give a toss.

Lilleput · May 29th, 2008, 09:20 PM

True top gear fans believe he is a entity of pure energy

MattD1zzl3 · May 29th, 2008, 09:23 PM

And that his eyelashes are made from carbon fiber...

--> all we know is he's called the stig <---

the Interceptor · May 29th, 2008, 09:37 PM

I must say I don't really care who he is. He's supposed to fill his role and do his job in Top Gear, and he does both very well. What's the gain in knowing a name of a guy I most likely never heard of?

fbc · May 29th, 2008, 10:29 PM

No it hasn't lost the mystique - it never will (despite some people's best efforts), purely because they'll just change 'it' for a new one if one of it's identities become known.

KaJuN · May 30th, 2008, 12:44 AM

I've always viewed the Stig as not a person but a character, just like I viewed Darth Vader before I knew who he really was. I don't want to know an identity so I can keep it that way.

Ottobon · May 30th, 2008, 02:58 AM

To answer the initial post, no, i don't think so. The last season they really did a good job exploiting his mystique, even if 90% of the people on this website think they know who he is, i really don't think it matters.

skylock · May 30th, 2008, 05:14 AM

The Stig is "The Stig". That is as simple as it gets for me. I am pretty sure there is a real person inside that suit, but I don't think about it and I don't care. He is the stig to me and I hear he sleeps upside down like a bat.

I know there is talk about there being multiple "stigs" and while there may be temp stigs, I think the stig is mainly one person. My eye sight is not the greatest, but I can tell who someone is a long way away by their walk. I can only remember one time seeing the stig walk and thinking, hmmmmmm. Oh course I do realize you don't get to see the stig walk that often, but seated position and hand movements says a lot too.

When I show someone the show almost always I get the "do you know who that guy really is? question. I always say yeah, everybody does, it's James May's mother. (more than one has believed me) And in my mind, if it is a person in there, that is who it is.

dMa · May 30th, 2008, 06:07 AM

to put a human face behind it is to ruin it

Cobol74 · May 30th, 2008, 06:16 AM

I had a word with Perry McCathy a couple of years ago (He was at an event in Pompey), he would not say who but did confirm that more than one 'racing driver' had been the Stig at that time.

Two of the names I have heard are Ben Collins (as in irc and, Julian Bailey as mentioned by the Daily Express). But I view the Stig, as has already been said, as a character of semi mystical abilities called upon to do the necessary.

WellsieTRD · May 30th, 2008, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaJuN

I've always viewed the Stig as not a person but a character, just like I viewed Darth Vader before I knew who he really was. I don't want to know an identity so I can keep it that way.

+1

Adds to the appeal of the show. Feels to me like all these people who pop up claiming to know the identity of the stig are ruining said appeal.

Tranquillizer · May 30th, 2008, 07:02 AM

all stig related threads should be images/smilies/dancinglock.gif

NooDle · May 30th, 2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tranquillizer

all stig related threads should be images/smilies/dancinglock.gif

seconded

edkwon · May 31st, 2008, 06:25 PM

Its the same as multiple ppl portraying James Bond, we know that for a fact, but it doesnt change the icon of James Bond.

TomCat · May 31st, 2008, 06:29 PM

The only reason there is a Stig is so the hot laps are all about the car and not about the driver.

Imagine discussing hot lap times between 2 competing cars and knowing it was 2 different drivers. It wouldn't end well.

Blind_Io · May 31st, 2008, 07:23 PM

I just won't listen to or read any posts about the identity of The Stig. The Stig has no identity, anyway. The Stig isn't even a "he," that's a misnomer. The Stig is an "it," it has no identity and minimal self awareness when not behind the wheel.

May 29th, 2008, 08:29 PM	#1
Mineworksfine Joined: May 29th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Hove, East Sussex, UK Age: 39 Posts: 1,112 Car: Seat Ibiza FR, Fiat Multipla Rep Power: 46	Straw Poll: Has the question of the identity of the Stig lost its mystique? I have noticed over the last couple of years that the hype about the Stig's true identity seems to have died down a tad. I have long suspected a particular candidate, and this was "confirmed" last year, when I was one of the semi-finalists in the Dunlop Race Academy at Thruxton, by Le Mans series racer Calum Lockie who was one of our instructors on the day. He confirmed my suspiscions without a moment's hesitation or any prompting (ie he named a name having been asked if he knew who the Stig was), but also added that manufacturers often send their own test drivers to dress as the Stig for some of the hot laps, particlarly the high end car makers such as Ferrari. I'm not going to say who I think/Calum said it is, I simply want to know which fellow forum members still care, and which have long since stopped being bothered about it? Feel free to put your chief suspect down if you wish, but I don't want to start a load of arguments in this thread so please don't criticise others who post theirs. __________________ If you want to prove your masculinity, don't buy a sports car, just get a people carrier and fill it with children. That way when the guy in the Porsche pulls up next to you at the lights you can point in the back and say "Hey, mine works fine!"

May 29th, 2008, 09:09 PM	#2
eltoro507 Joined: Jun 3rd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Antwerp, Belgium Age: 25 Posts: 112 Car: A Tiny Fiat Fiorino & a Citroen Berlingo Candyvan Rep Power: 21	The consensus among the irc idlers is Ben Collins. __________________ //ASUS P5K S775 P35//4GB GEIL PC2-6400 CL4 Dual Channel//Intel E6750//EVGA 8800GT SSC//

May 29th, 2008, 09:20 PM	#4
Lilleput Evo-less Joined: Jun 10th, 2005 Last Online: January 6th, 2009 Location: United Kingdom of Denmark Age: 25 Posts: 2,982 Car: Ford S-Max Titanium - 268hp Rep Power: 71	True top gear fans believe he is a entity of pure energy __________________

May 29th, 2008, 09:37 PM	#6
the Interceptor I LUV MY PRIUS!!! Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Germany Posts: 2,287 Car: BMW E36 323i superleggera (-85 kg) Rep Power: 56	I must say I don't really care who he is. He's supposed to fill his role and do his job in Top Gear, and he does both very well. What's the gain in knowing a name of a guy I most likely never heard of? __________________ "We have to laugh at the Germans, because they're so riddled with guilt about their history, they can't laugh at themselves." - Jeremy Clarkson Ken Rockwell on recommended cameras: "If you don't have the time to read the rest of this page, you want a Nikon D40."

May 29th, 2008, 10:29 PM	#7
fbc Mantastic! Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 33 Posts: 10,641 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 82	No it hasn't lost the mystique - it never will (despite some people's best efforts), purely because they'll just change 'it' for a new one if one of it's identities become known. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

May 30th, 2008, 12:44 AM	#8
KaJuN Joined: Jul 31st, 2006 Last Online: November 17th, 2008 Location: USAF Basic Training Age: 23 Posts: 4,628 Car: Land Rover Discovery, 1980 Yamaha XJ650 Rep Power: 91	I've always viewed the Stig as not a person but a character, just like I viewed Darth Vader before I knew who he really was. I don't want to know an identity so I can keep it that way. __________________ D-Fence: Kajun is just outside caressing his Discovery....touching it gently, you know......it is such a dirty bitch.....but he seems to love dirty girls in high heels who are taller then him and have "quite a few pounds" on their hips ^^ Yes we can! Join my fan club. You know you want a piece of this action!

May 30th, 2008, 02:58 AM	#9
Ottobon Banned Joined: Nov 27th, 2005 Last Online: January 5th, 2009 Posts: 3,296 Car: Too many Rep Power: 0	To answer the initial post, no, i don't think so. The last season they really did a good job exploiting his mystique, even if 90% of the people on this website think they know who he is, i really don't think it matters.

May 30th, 2008, 05:14 AM	#10
skylock Not A Dude Joined: Jun 3rd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 644 Rep Power: 42	The Stig is "The Stig". That is as simple as it gets for me. I am pretty sure there is a real person inside that suit, but I don't think about it and I don't care. He is the stig to me and I hear he sleeps upside down like a bat. I know there is talk about there being multiple "stigs" and while there may be temp stigs, I think the stig is mainly one person. My eye sight is not the greatest, but I can tell who someone is a long way away by their walk. I can only remember one time seeing the stig walk and thinking, hmmmmmm. Oh course I do realize you don't get to see the stig walk that often, but seated position and hand movements says a lot too. When I show someone the show almost always I get the "do you know who that guy really is? question. I always say yeah, everybody does, it's James May's mother. (more than one has believed me) And in my mind, if it is a person in there, that is who it is. __________________ Judy People were crashing cars long before Top Gear existed. James May Only seven people have looked the Stig straight in the eyes. They are all dead now.

May 30th, 2008, 06:07 AM	#11
dMa Joined: Dec 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 03:40 AM Posts: 197 Car: 98 Nissan Altima, YEAH Rep Power: 11	to put a human face behind it is to ruin it

May 30th, 2008, 06:16 AM	#12
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Southampton Posts: 6,218 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 58	I had a word with Perry McCathy a couple of years ago (He was at an event in Pompey), he would not say who but did confirm that more than one 'racing driver' had been the Stig at that time. Two of the names I have heard are Ben Collins (as in irc and, Julian Bailey as mentioned by the Daily Express). But I view the Stig, as has already been said, as a character of semi mystical abilities called upon to do the necessary. __________________

May 30th, 2008, 07:02 AM	#14
Tranquillizer Previously Known As Mianz Joined: Oct 18th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 350 Car: Holden Statesman WH V8 GEN III Rep Power: 12	all stig related threads should be __________________

May 31st, 2008, 06:25 PM	#16
edkwon Joined: Nov 21st, 2006 Last Online: 03:00 AM Location: Lil Osaka Posts: 2,353 Car: Legacy GT Spec B '07 Rep Power: 22	Its the same as multiple ppl portraying James Bond, we know that for a fact, but it doesnt change the icon of James Bond.

May 31st, 2008, 06:29 PM	#17
TomCat Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 12:35 AM Location: Chandler, Arizona Age: 24 Posts: 3,428 Car: 2004 Chrysler PT Turbo; 1985 Toyota 4Runner Rep Power: 42	The only reason there is a Stig is so the hot laps are all about the car and not about the driver. Imagine discussing hot lap times between 2 competing cars and knowing it was 2 different drivers. It wouldn't end well. __________________ When in doubt, throttle out.

May 31st, 2008, 07:23 PM	#18
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Richmond, California, USA Age: 28 Posts: 9,076 Car: 2004 Honda Civic Coupe 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 121	I just won't listen to or read any posts about the identity of The Stig. The Stig has no identity, anyway. The Stig isn't even a "he," that's a misnomer. The Stig is an "it," it has no identity and minimal self awareness when not behind the wheel. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

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