The Stig- replacing him no problem according to Castrol
Motoring Staff
2010-09-08
There’s been much harrumphing from the Top Gear team following the identity of track hero, the Stig after it emerged that the famed driver is fact Le Mans Series driver Ben Collins.
Top Gear need not panic though. Since Ben currently sits 768th in the Castrol Driver Rankings, the world’s most comprehensive driver rankings, there are in fact hundreds of other drivers who could happily qualify as replacements.
Castrol has applied the same expertise and passion it uses in the development of its oils to create the Castrol Driver Rankings – using expert analysis and highly advanced technology to measure and rank the performance in every single race of over 2000 drivers, across 47 major motorsport series every year. While Collins is a well experienced driver with a long list of motor sport achievements away from the TV show, the Castrol Driver Rankings could help Top Gear bosses find another talented driver who could replace Collins as the helmeted track star… if they choose to.
Currently led by Sebastian Vettel, the Castrol Driver Rankings include all of the major motorsport series including Formula 1, the World Rally Championship and the World Touring Car Championship. Whilst the likes of Lewis Hamilton (4th) and Sebastien Loeb (2nd) might not be able to find time to be the Stig, there are plenty of other drivers further down the list that do have the right credentials.
For example, at 95 is Jamie Green, DTM driver and former winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award in 2002. Relatively unknown to the average Top Gear watching fan, but someone who’s got a great record across a range of series, perfect for testing all the cars that visit the Top Gear track.
Collins has been driving for the RML Group in the Le Mans Series this season. Two appearances have netted two solid results. In the 1000km of Algarve the team secured a victory in the P2 class and then at the Hungaroring he finished in 4th in class. The team currently sits 2nd in the P2 championship.
The next race in the series is at Silverstone, the team’s home track. Collins is expected to take part in the race, where a win could secure a championship victory for the team.
