The Stig coming to drive at Bathurst?

[csv8]

The Stig coming to drive at Bathurst?
AAP - July 22, 2009, 10:56 am
Ben Collins, believed to be the mysterious "Stig" on Top Gear, will race in the V8 enduros. AAP ©

Some say he is the anonymous driver called "the Stig" on popular motoring show Top Gear. All we know is he's competing in this year's V8 Supercar endurance races.

Jack Daniel's Racing on Wednesday announced English endurance racing specialist Ben Collins will pair up with veteran Nathan Pretty in the team's No.15 Holden for the annual endurance races at Bathurst and Phillip Island.

Collins, a professional stunt driver, has long been rumoured to be the Stig, with English newspaper The Telegraph claiming he had mistakenly outed himself in January.

The show fiercely guards the identity of the Stig and it's believed Collins could be sacked if he did admit he was the popular character.

The first Stig, stunt driver Perry McCarthy, lost the job after outing himself in his book Flat Out, Flat Broke, published in 2002.

Regardless of his secret identity, Collins will definitely be behind the wheel at this year's Bathurst 1000 and Phillip Island 500 events.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to race in V8 Supercars with Jack Daniel's Racing," Collins said.

"Phillip Island and Bathurst are two circuits that every driver would love to get the chance to race on, especially Bathurst, which is such a famous race.

"I drove a Holden V8 Supercar earlier this year and these cars are sensational. They're very demanding and the level of talent and professionalism in this category is very high."

Collins, who worked as stunt driver on the latest James Bond movie Quantum of Solace, comes to Australia with extensive racing experience.

Among the 34-year-old's achievements are testing sessions with Formula One team Ascari and the American Red Bull NASCAR team.

Todd Kelly, who will partner brother Rick in the team's other car, said he was delighted to have such an experienced crew in their second vehicle.

"Endurance races like Phillip Island and Bathurst require a combination of pace and consistency, especially when it comes to 161 laps at Mount Panorama," Kelly said.

"Ben has achieved a lot in endurance style racing and he will be a real asset to our team as we tackle our first endurance events.

"It's fitting that he's paired with Nathan because the two of them are both noted endurance specialists.

"It's great to have two guys with such pedigree in our No.15 Jack Daniel's Commodore."

The Kelly brothers finished second at both Bathurst and Phillip Island the last time they teamed up in 2006 and two-time Bathurst winner Rick Kelly said the pair are confident of a good result.

"The endurance races have been a major focus for our team and Todd and I can't wait to team up again," he said.

"When we ran together in 2006 we finished second at both enduros, so we've definitely got some unfinished business this year."

This year's endurance races begin with the Phillip Island 500 from September 11-13 before the Bathurst 1000 is held from October 8-11.

[INASNT]

He should wear his full white race suit just to stir things up

[GTP-814]

lets see if he stig's it into the wall over the top

[fou_bleu]

Originally Posted by GTP-814

lets see if he stig's it into the wall over the top

Classic!!! Straight to the sig...

[Corzza]

Holden need a Stig to hlp them out kekekeke

[GeoNazi]

"Some say that he once beat craig lowndes at bathurst and he wore a race suit made out of people.... but we know him as the stig"

[chevypower]

some say he is the fastest racing car driver. (10 seconds later), ....In the world!

[Ralliart]

sweet great news for Motor sport in Australia That we can finally see Stig race around the big mountain

[ehast13]

I hear the aussie stig will be in a holden too. Not surprising, considering his history.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by ehast13

I hear the aussie stig will be in a holden too. Not surprising, considering his history.

He'll be racing for Kelly racing according to Sports tonight.

[Buzz Box]

Originally Posted by vztrt

He'll be racing for Kelly racing according to Sports tonight.

Yeah I think I seen a similar story that he will be racing for the Kelly brothers outfit in their #2 car with some other young enduro driver they've got.

[RegSpec]

Originally Posted by Buzz Box

Yeah I think I seen a similar story that he will be racing for the Kelly brothers outfit in their #2 car with some other young enduro driver they've got.

young enduro driver.. Nathan Pretty has stacks of Bathurst experience.......
I wonder how they'll do the rear window signage?
Will it be " STIG/PRETTY or PRETTY/STIG"..... :

[ToxikXR6]

Originally Posted by BionicXR6T

young enduro driver.. Nathan Pretty has stacks of Bathurst experience.......
I wonder how they'll do the rear window signage?
Will it be " STIG/PRETTY or PRETTY/STIG"..... :

would have to be PRETTY/STIG!
never even thought of that.

[DBourne]

should be good!!

[flappist]

Some say he is so fast around Bathurst that he had to be handicapped with a kelly.

And that he chose holden to give himself a break from driving performance vehicles.

But we all know him as the Stig.....

[brownieXR8]

Originally Posted by flappist

Some say he is so fast around Bathurst that he had to be handicapped with a kelly.

And that he chose holden to give himself a break from driving performance vehicles.

But we all know him as the Stig.....

Now that is pure gold Best laugh I've had all week

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by flappist

Some say he is so fast around Bathurst that he had to be handicapped with a kelly.

And that he chose holden to give himself a break from driving performance vehicles.

But we all know him as the Stig.....

You are a funny guy! Thanks for the laugh.

[Peuty]

Uh yeah, Nathan Pretty.

[ehast13]

With the australian stig in with greg murphy's team....

[GeoNazi]

who is the aussie stig?

[XR8putts]

He better not stick it on Pole with a racing-line that differs from everyone else in the field! I can see it now, "the Stig has found a new, faster, line through The Chase!"

[Teflon Turbo]

some funny comments up there....

any guesses on who the aussie stig is?

[ehast13]

lips are sealed