Ta da and the Stig is

[lowrydesign]

remember when the stig wrecked the koennigseg........................haha

[scr8p]

remember when the stig wrecked the koennigseg........................haha

i didn't mean to do it........... just ran out of talent.

[Mr. ED]

I heard earlier this year on the radio that the stig had been unmasked by some workers at his house who found his suit. The guy is a professional stuntdriver, ofcourse I forgot his name immediately

BUT it was on the state radio , not internet, so I should believe it, not???

[minichamps11]

Actually topgear is pretty big. It's one of the highest rated shows in england.

Top Gear is popular, but the BBC budget in no way can stretch to Michael Schumacher as a permanent Stig (even if he wanted to do it full time, which I doubt). Someone has already mentioned the truth in this thread - Ferrari would only allow one of their own to drive the FXX, hence Michael Schumacher's "guest appearance" as the Stig.

[Halgar]

remember when the stig wrecked the koennigseg........................haha

i didn't mean to do it........... just ran out of talent.

Your ego was writing checks that car couldn't cash?

[vwjuice]

Actually topgear is pretty big. It's one of the highest rated shows in england.

Top Gear is popular, but the BBC budget in no way can stretch to Michael Schumacher as a permanent Stig (even if he could wanted to do it full time, which I doubt). Someone has already mentioned the truth in this thread - Ferrari would only allow one of their own to drive the FXX, hence Michael Schumacher's "guest appearance" as the Stig.

Agreed. I don't know if any company could afford him other than ferrari.

[tizeye]

I agree that they might not have the money to employ Michael Schumacher..after all the BBC only has a budget of 40 million pounds...and they pay Clarkeson 4.2 million a year plus 500,000 pounds for the the hampster and the hippy..that's a lot of money and doesn't include the actual cost of producing the show.. not a lot left to go around..still a fantastic show it's been in the top 6 here since it's inception. The original show ran for 30 minutes from 1977 to 2001 then changed to the now 60 minute format from 2001 to today..the old shows are a blast if you can find them..heres the first one hour episode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UZXeQx7yHM and heres the hippies first episode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnYt79YBl9c

[vwjuice]

Topgear started in 1977? I had no idea. Or did you mean 1997? Either way I didn't realize it had been on that long.

[tizeye]

That's what I was told...I don't remember it back then but I do remember it in the late 80's

[vwjuice]

Wow, I need to find some more videos then.

[Eau Rouge]

The Schumacher thing was a gag. It's been debunked. Still amusing, nonetheless.

The original Stig was Perry McCarthy. He was canned when he was found out (black Stig). The white Stig has been more than a few different people since then. The "American Stig" was Steve Shelton Jr. He was selling his "Stig" race suit on ApexSpeed last winter.

[Halgar]

Wow, I need to find some more videos then.

It's possible that they started in the mid/late 70's. You'll know you're getting close when you see Jeremy in his pimp clothes and with hair!

[Mr. ED]

At the very end of the show feautring shumacher as stig , they practically give away he's not the real stig.
(I just happened to see this show 2 days ago)

[purpletimbo]

Schumacher's FXX differs from others in that it is the only black FXX without a stripe, it comes with red trim on the wheels, it has matte exhaust tips (regular FXX's have chrome tips), and his personal logo is stitched on the racing seats

Look at the start of the lap, black exhausts and no stripe definitely, good reason for Schumacher to drive it, it is his personal FXX

[a01butal]

I'm not sure when we will see that show in the states until next year, I think we are a season behind. Last night BBC America had season 8's 1st show. Probably show up on youtube before long.