How 'The Stig' Hid His Secret Identity & Life On Top Gear | Your Car Stories (feat. Ben Collins)

Get Ben's book 'Aston Martin: Made In Britain' here: amzn.to/37EPHu9
Huge thanks to Little French restaurant in Bristol for hosting us: / littlefrench_bristol
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This week, we're joined by former Top Gear Stig Ben Collins to discuss his secret identity, working with Clarkson, Hammond and May, and what's coming next!
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[@meister_harris5623]

The thing that really shines is how talented that man actually is. He was able to teach someone who had never ‘slung a car’ round a track and in a few hours, was able to translate something that takes some people a lot of seat time. ALOT of people don’t have enough patience and resilience to be able to do that and it’s so cool to see a man who knows how to drive, still doing it.

[@audioamateur]

Ben seems like a great guy

[@Interknetz]

I like how chilled out he comes across.

[@niharpotluri9472]

“If you want to master something, teach it. The more you teach, the better you learn. Teaching is a powerful tool to learning.” -Richard Feynman. Basically sums it all up.

[@martinmaughan7454]

2evq

[@Ingens_Scherz]

He's a former British Army officer. Enough said.

[@Adam-lf9vs]

You boys have really hit on something special with these podcasts. They're so easy to listen to and your guests have been top drawer. Bravo!

[@MoAli-wm4of]

Especially this one in particular...

[@craigjollands9802]

@@R-Dub-Ya 7ý7tty7t7ty7ty7t

[@marijnprive3776]

@@MoAli-wm4of lopkpk Opmkmo

[@ThaMythbuster]

16:00 must be the best feeling Alex has ever had, when the Stig goes "Hey that car you built is nice, let's take it for a spin later?" Would have loved to see that. Also damn Ben is such a cool genuine down to earth guy, love that! So interesting to learn about how "being the Stig" actually worked too!

[@ashleygrainger9062]

Some say he can’t write, but that he’s written a book anyway...

[@Ginbaubabe]

He’s written 2 too. Look up How To Drive

[@unknownunknownunknowing]

Hello

[@unknownunknownunknowing]

I love you

[@dnbmania]

@@unknownunknownunknowing girls always say that to me

[@jamesvozar1]

His book was actually really good. the first one with his top gear stories. reco.

[@B_T_B]

Not even halfway, this is utterly superb. Can't wait for Vancast Throttle!

[@LoftechUK]

This interview with Ben is right up there with Chris Harris.

[@drsprogg33]

How will they top it? First Chris, now Ben. Is this the end for the podcast series?

[@SilverCrestGamingHD]

Chris Harris I honestly don’t even know who he is I’ve heard the name before

[@drsprogg33]

@@SilverCrestGamingHD He is on the new top gear, did some other stuff but can't name off the top of my head

[@warrenpuffett2359]

Chris Harris is a boring mong though

[@ProfessorShroom]

@@warrenpuffett2359 He's the best thing from the new Top Gear, would of fit in on the old Top Gear

[@RahulKapoor9992]

NEXT TIME ON THE CAR THROTTLE PODCAST: James talks about plywood, Richard spills his Gin and Tonic and Jeremy talks about vegetablism.

[@mrwhiteman1123]

1:03:19 that boy was me. We all didn't know if it was actually Ben Collins or if it was some other bloke. 8 years we didn't

[@neymrizvi4968]

F for your childhood

[@MatTancock]

@@mrwhiteman1123 he meant f to pay respects, don't woosh me please

[@inzombiac345]

F for F, RIP to F. or do we use F as it looks like a Flag. why cant we just pay respects.

[@VileCAESARB]

@@inzombiac345 What ARE you people talking about lol

[@vaIe_]

@@inzombiac345 i dont know what this comment means, but the F is from a prompt in a COD campaign to pay respects to someone who had died.

[@olivermansfield8341]

This podcast gives me at least 120 smiles per hour

[@nathandrake6531]

Great to see Ben

[@olivermansfield8341]

@@nathandrake6531 want to see more of him now😕

[@ParallaxRS]

@@olivermansfield8341 but only one smale per hour

[@christonamtb4089]

@@olivermansfield8341 do you want to see his helmet

[@asswadish]

What does this have to do with "Podcast"? This is KZbin. Podcast is an Apple platform to stream talk shows.

[@jwgti2314]

1:25:42 I never realised until now they all have the same laugh 😂

[@JMDrives]

Woah..

[@leonid4781]

Lol just realised!

[@STORMCLOUDGREY]

I love the story that when Mark Webber went on Top Gear he knew instantly who The Stig was & was sworn to secrecy.

[@Breakthehabbitzz]

Hey guys! Loving the podcast. Just a quick note on Ethan's question at 10:20; we actually do that in Denmark! Before we are let out on a real road for lessons, we have to have passed a driving course on a closed track where we learn to do hand-brake turns, skidpad, high-speed emergency braking and braking on the hard shoulder. However, our driver's licenses cost around £2000, and includes first-aid, 20 hours of driving lessons in the dark, on motorways, city driving and more. Fantastic interview with Ben - keep up the good work lads!

[@kesigangovender5204]

27:30 What you actually came here to see. You're welcome :)

[@SuperChillTunes]

Thanks mate.

[@arturseversons3444]

Thank you!

[@TomsonLindquist]

Love you!

[@MrVice123456]

Cheers 👍👍

[@joshcowlishaw8635]

I got a McDonald’s ad

[@dannyfawcett8253]

I need to see Ben Collins taking a drive in phil

[@DeathEgg666]

Ben Collins sometimes looks like Chandler from friends lol

[@JMDrives]

Ohhh that's why he's too familiar. Holy Shit.

[@DjDolHaus86]

He looks like he could be Alex's dad

[@lukej6832]

@@DjDolHaus86 you mean cool uncle 😎

[@maxreemtsma4955]

you're right wtf

[@leekindell9937]

also looks like Ted from The Fast Show played by Charlie Higson

[@michielvoetberg4634]

1:13:55 When Ethan says it is 12.500 over the CarThrottle budget, and Stig looks at the camera while he figures out their budget

[@akozaro8]

Next up: How ChrisFix hid his secret identity on KZbin

[@Scrubworks]

There was actually a collaboration channel that ChrisFix, EngineeringExplained, EricTheCarGuy and TheHumbleMechanic were going to run together, called BlownHeads. They only ever put up two videos, but ChrisFix was in there, no helmet, fully on show. BlownHeads never took off and it was deleted some time back.

[@chillininidahonhborn5106]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/apPKaayhd76Li7c

[@chillininidahonhborn5106]

The page banner has his face uncovered

[@niharpotluri9472]

@@chillininidahonhborn5106 Where? I cant see it

[@cam_121]

@@niharpotluri9472 kzbin.info/www/bejne/apPKaayhd76Li7c the banner for this video. He's the one in the hoodie next to the guy in the blue shirt

[@CYMRU619]

Ben is just wired differently, he comes across as so determined and hard-working.

[@BadgerOff32]

I was kinda gutted when the Stigs identity was revealed because I actually 'knew' who the Stig was *years* before it was public knowledge. An ex-girlfriend of one of my friends used to work as a photographer for some car magazine, and she did some photo shoots at Dunsfold where they filmed Top Gear. So she had met him a few times and she told me that it was "a guy called Ben Collins". I had no idea who Ben Collins was at the time, but it was still kinda cool that I was in on the secret. It was like I knew Batmans secret identity or something lol

[@r.davies2702]

Cool story bro.

[@svenw688]

Different people have been the Stig

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

Was interesting that around the same time he did some articles for Autosport Magazine, testing various racing cars for them to give an insight into different types of car; they filmed a few and you could just SEE it was the same guy when they showed the in-car cams. To find out Ben Collins was finally getting his dues, even anonymously, was really cool. The guy was/is a VERY quick racing driver in his FVauxhall/F3/LMP days.

[@burnzy3210]

Ben seems like a really nice guy, exactly who you'd want to be teaching you something completely foreign.

[@audioamateur]

Exactly

[@connorlangan1622]

For a man that spent 8 years not talking he’s natural behind the mic 🤣

[@TheFoolishboy9]

Ben Collins being interviewed by a young Phil Collins (alex)

[@anonimushbosh]

I have two recollections of this guy. First was in Hammond’s book about his post-coma recovery in which he credited Ben with saving his life by making him swap the helmet for a better one before the stunt. The second was a year or few later when on TG Hammond happily joined Clarkson to shoot an effigy of The Stig because he’d ‘betrayed’ them by making a few quid from a book in which he said nothing bad about any of them. The meanness they showed towards Ben illustrated what real betrayal looks like.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

That was all fake, they have worked with him numerous times since he stopped being the stig.

[@anonimushbosh]

@@Jabber-ig3iw I know what I saw and joke or not they stuck the knife in. Clarkson was all over the press telling anyone who’d listen how Collins had betrayed him and that was no joke. If he worked with them again I didn’t know that, but work = money so why not?

[@Jamal_Tyrone]

Nice to see Chandler from Friends is still in work.

[@SimManiac]

Loved every second of that episode, lads. What an amazing set of stories Ben has in his locker to share so I am now going to belatedly buy his book and read it this weekend.

[@jrbuch]

I could listen for hours to Ben's stories from his Top Gear days.. :-) Great podcast

[@Hrvarcher]

i’ve been watching you videos for 2.5 years and i’m only 12. these videos make me laugh keep up the good work

[@spamspamspamspam6002]

Same

[@spamspamspamspam6002]

Im 14

[@devilinthedetailers7661]

I read his autobiography almost a decade ago the man in the white suit what a read

[@blondeboi]

Lads you need to get Jeremy James and Richard on here omg that would be amazing! 👏

[@stinkybisquit]

An “All Stigs” episode of Top Gear. No words in the entire thing.

[@kristian5821]

Podding -Navigating through life without any real purpose To be doing absolutely nothing important. Laying around, not going outside, just doing nothing. can I get the book now?

[@16ats]

Ei

[@tammurney3053]

Kristian i prefer #5 Podding - The act of killing someone with an iPod. Stay well away from #4

[@amacca2085]

I read that in urban dictionary to but I think they have got confused with plodding

[@andrewlogan5610]

Was listening to this in my car and I absolutely shat myself when I heard the siren in the background 😂

[@kevinwoodsofficial]

Same 🙈🙄 Going round a roundabout too 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@landroverlover1662]

I actually want that book so much just after what he has said, he is one of the people i would love to meet!!

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

It's a brilliant book; particuarly the SAS reserve training parts, and the bits I tend to think of with Ben, of his F3, ASCAR & Le Mans racing. The early takeover from Perry McCarthy is really interesting too - the stunt setups, and his later Bond work too. It's a really really good read - as is Flat Out, Flat Broke, by Perry McCarthy too.

[@allergictowoke]

When Ben asked how much has been spent on the mx5 an advert come on and the guy was whistling 😂😂😂 Made me laugh

[@James-xn6zh]

Could listen to Ben Collins all day long, a very interesting and well-articulated man. Cheers for the podcast fellas

[@daveschilkie465]

Great podcast. Ben Collins seem like a really great down to earth guy. Your podcasts seem to go by so quickly.

[@olivermansfield8341]

The merging rant is feckin on point👏👏👏👏👏, someone stopped on an on-Ramp and nearly caused me to crash.

[@omarmatin1052]

I can’t believe nobody brought up the Koenigsegg crash on top gear

[@ryanmalin]

not a big deal really

[@TheBBQflava]

1:22:20 "Gobbled that down yeah" 😂😂 Jack is such a legend

[@l4br4t87]

Amazing! Did not expect to find out that Ben drives a Land Rover Wolf 90. 1998 too. Me and my dad have recently finished rebuilding an ex MOD Wolf 90. Fantastic vehicle, but as Ben says, very loud at speed. Glad to know a proper driver loves his Landy.

[@parsaesteky]

22:18 Thanks for asking my question Alex!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Mike-dp6ht]

Alex nods his head like 20 times in the first three minuets XD

[@LaughedoutLoud01]

Ben is just an amazing bloke with some amazing stories. Top podcast!

[@jakecaruana6858]

Awesome episode lads. Ben Collins... what a legend. Top gear used to be my favorite show and it's so cool hearing from 'the stig' and his perspective and experiences on the show. Keep up the great work

[@itscroc_]

I swear, I love this podcast so much. I don't even listen to podcasts, but this one is just too good to pass on. So interesting with all the stories and you guys crack me up every time!

[@xNJA1]

What a absolutely genuine bloke Ben Collins is. Love all the pod casts but this one 👌👍 amazing.

[@johndeere1951a]

Ben's top moment was coaching the BLIND veteran to complete a lap on Top Gear. An angel on a vets shoulder. Might have been the highest achievement in his career. 👍✌️💚🏆🏁 🇺🇲

[@TommyCullen-VacuumConnisour]

ben aka the stig was listening to stainalive in the buggati super sport lol

[@camwilliamson4940]

Book genuinely sounds interesting, I'll be reading that.

[@RMF76]

Great interview, and what a great guy. Badass. Long live the Stig!

[@timothyjackson9880]

Plot twist: Ethan is the new stig and his Car Throttle persona is to avoid suspicion.

[@Keirdo69r]

Highlight of my week listening to this whilst taking a walk on my lunch hour to get out the house, keep up the pod, great banter and keeping me sane whilst working from home 👌🏻

[@matthewbonner645]

THIS IS THE BEST ONE YET!!!!! More Ben Collins if possible?!

[@poochey1]

These Ben Collins episodes have been the best! Did you get any footage of him checking out the MX5?

[@lonsdaleashley23]

Furze > China > Harris > Collins, every podcast just get better and better awesome as always. Keep up the good work and keep safe ;)

[@DoMw94]

"Bloody 'ell" - take a shot 😂

[@Me-zo8yc]

I love the TG anecdotes, so many questions I'd like to ask

[@bence.gabor.slezak]

"Why don't we call him the Ben Collins?" A living legend!

[@seastheday8857]

Best podcast to date. Definitely enjoy the longer podcasts. Keep up the awesome work 🚗💨🏎️💨🏍️💨

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Great stuff guys !

[@darrylmeyer6389]

Ben Collins, such a legend!!!

[@r3dh34d32]

This was the best episode yet! Can't wait for more

[@Ryzza5]

You forgot to ask Ben about his work in video games.

[@ALLRNDCRICKETER]

Next time you get "ol out ya and" brewer on, do some more roast my ride pleaseeeeeee. Want to hear some more Mike roasts

[@jamesvozar1]

You guys are killing it with these interviews, Harris, brewer, collins (the only true Stig) end of, all my favorite car people. Get a cold beer for that effort fellas. j.

[@danielkerryann]

Ben is a total Legend: what a lovely chap, with some cracking stories to tell... this and the a Chris Harris pods have been the best so far... 👏🏻👏🏻

[@1evansg]

Jack could definitely be the stig after his backward drift in the Vectra estate

[@mz1306]

Keep on smashing it Alex, Jack and Ethan 😉 Along with everyone at Car Throttle!

[@chrisjay555]

kinda agree with the merging rant when on a slip road you've gotta give way to the traffic already on highway

[@arronlunn308]

I once drove a builders transit pickup loaded with a cement mixer, cement bags, tools and 2 passengers around Dunsfold. Best laugh i've had, hooning it around a track. Good times

[@firesyde424]

Believe it or not, in a different context, "podding" is a thing. In a game called Eve Online, your avatar lives inside a miniature space ship called a "pod". To be shot at and killed by another player while only in your pod is called "podding" someone.

[@carsandstuff365]

What about the first stig, the one that made the stig famous “Perry McCarthy”

[@mihajlovucinic011]

Love the little Seb story about his Suzuki lap. :D

[@andyh0428]

Possibly the best one yet 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@thomaswoolsey9140]

Hi Alex from carthottle my daf owns the rs Sierra cosworth which was on top gear that they used to film ' Break For The Border ' can you ask Ben if he drove my dads Sierra Many thanks Thomas

[@s.v.berezin1562]

The guests you have on these are just fantastic! The Podcast is just excellent, great fun and very interesting!

[@1969Risky]

Brilliant podcast! Kudos to Ben Collins for his work on Top Gear, stories etc. I hope that a small series by Car Throttle of Ben Collins with Ethan in either driver training or to get Ethan prepped to do some racing like rallycross to happen in the future.

[@hongkongstuey]

Around 34 mins a 'borrowed' veyron is mentioned, this borrowed veyron was on Hp, my daughter's mum was working for a repossession agency and they had to find the white veyron, they found it in an underground garage in London, it had broken the Hp agreement 'not to be be hired out' clause. Unlucky 🤣🤣

[@RichardHubbuck]

This is brilliant! The podcast is going from strength to strength!

[@CaiPrice]

Best podcast ever. Please get Ben on again. What a legend!

[@adamqurabi65]

Can't wait to watch it Keep up your amazing and inspiring work👍👍👍👍

[@bigmoncrief6071]

Being an endurance sports car fan in the late '90s / early '00s (in which Ben was a regular driver), it was fairly common knowledge that he was 'the Stig'. What I think gets forgotten now, is that, even after its relaunch, Top Gear was a fairly low key thing on BBC2 for many years. Not many people knew much about it, yet alone who the real Stig was.

[@RensOtteweyn]

Great guy, that Ben Collins. And you three too of course

[@poddyhadden8716]

Only time I've ever not been pissed about an add on KZbin is the fact that one plays as soon as Ben asks Alex how much his mx5 build costs

[@Silverwidows]

My step dad showed him round a house a few years back (estate agent) said he was a nice guy

[@hoops3]

Getting Ben Collins and Chris Harris on the podcast has been incredible viewing! Great content!!

[@jonnowocky8179]

Brilliant episode, many thanks

[@brynalban]

I remember Ben having a pretty unique watch at the time he was The Stig and he wore it once during one of the laps but not hidden by his glove. It was enough for me at the time to know that it was him. (Could well be the same watch he was wearing during the podcast)

[@harrym9721]

Great guest to have on, you could tell the podcast could have been 10+ hours and he still wouldn't have run out of amazing stories!

[@alexanderwingeskog758]

Although I have not watched (this my second I think) all your podcasts I think this will be hard to beat. Ben the man Collins! Just awesome!

[@lukek9694]

Driving home from work last night listening to this podcast. Caught me out twice! With those sirens in the background 😂

[@HootiusMaximus]

"How much have you spent on that?" ...Cuts to advert

[@ohgivemeabreakfeller]

This is just bloody brilliant - my favourite on KZbin right now (so don't lose it). Going to write you an email now I think, I need some advice.

[@chrisward925]

With you guys on the Golf GTD choice, I am blessed to drive a 19 plate one with DSG and it is absolutely brilliant and love every aspect of the car because it ticks all the boxes.

[@stevehall3410]

Always good to hear stories from Ben, seems a very genuine and down to earth guy.

[@marky_mark9188]

44:18 lol they r all synchronised.

[@adrianbennett8264]

Great "poddy" guys...I think the next step for Ethan has to be a race license with training from Ben. would love to see him in the MX-5 challenge cup!

[@klavseglitis3822]

Love when Ben was talking about XJ 12 you could see that Ethan just zooms out :D

[@dbacks6431]

Bens face when just the kids are talking 😂

[@TheMrbazooka]

Top job chaps