Does he have a professional doing all the driving stunts or does he actually have those driving skills in some of the footage? If he's that accomplished as a driver...I take back that I called him a moron on a different thread....impressive video!

 

Clarkson gets a guy they call the "Stig", for the time trails. The driver might be Japanese because I've heard him call him "stig-san" a couple times.

 

It depends what car he is testing, for German cars he is Herr Stig or Stig-maker.

Cheers
---Dave

 

Oh, then you are saying the driver is half Japanese and half German!

 

There have been a few hints that "the Stig" might just be Damon Hill - he has appeared on the show in the past.

 

The 'Stig' in the last series was a F1 test driver called Perry McCarthy. The new 'Stig' has not leaked out yet, but there is speculation it may be the same guy, I personally doubt it!

As for the Damon Hill romour, I would be VERY surprised.

p.s. after that review was shown on Top Gear in late November my local Mazda dealer was inundated with preorders!

All courtesy of Mr Clarkson (and the RX8)!!!!!!!!!!!:D

 

Uk cars are powered at 231 PS whch works out to be 228BHP, max power at 8200rpm etc, jap versions are about 250ps at 8500rpm!

 

My friend tells me the stig is damon hill, my friend spotted him at a thunder gig at guildford civic hall in december, i think damon lives in oxford way! Thats who i thin it is!!

 

If anyone does know who the stig is, keep it to yourself, or he might have to fall off the end of another aircraft carrier - or worse!

 

great video. wish I could drift like that.

 

that was a great video...thanks for posting the link. That looked like a whole lotta fun. Thanks a gain

 

This is nice, I would like to se the full video of the other cars as well. Is that available?

 

Wow - I loved the video...laughed my head off. I have some issues with my yellow RX-8 automatic but it never ever stops being fun. The sound system is what makes me want to keep driving and driving. It handles much better on the highway than I find on the street and when he talked about the wheel wobbling I knew what he was talking about. From day one I felt my RX needed a wheel alignment.