The Stig: Masked mysterioso and man-machine behind the wheel, or some bloke named Collins?

Ordinarily, I do not step out from behind my granite frieze of God-like automotive authority, but on this matter of the Stig –- the strange anonymous superman who does the test-driving for the worldwide smash hit “Top Gear” TV show –- I actually know something. Recently, it was revealed in the British tabloid the Daily Telegraph that the man in the white Nomex was none other than Ben Collins, a reasonably successful British racing driver and stunt driver in the Bond films. This week, the Daily Mail reports that the Stig is not one person but a squad of eight hot-shoes whose particular skills are chosen for the occasion. In one instance, the Mail alleges, the show used a professional snowmobile driver to pull off a dangerous stunt jumping a snowmobile off a ski jump. And no, it wasn’t Todd Palin.

Well, as some of our readers might remember, I was an early favorite to be cast in the American version of "Top Gear" last year, a presumption that expired the very moment I opened my mouth on camera. I was immediately booted off the show but not before spending some quality time with Jeremy Clarkson, Andy Wilman and other "Top Gear" worthies. I begged them not to tell me who the Stig was -– because I didn’t want to know –- but I was told anyway.

So, here’s what I know: Yes, Ben Collins is a regular Stig. Yes, there is more than one Stig, as avid watchers of the show might have figured, seeing as how his height varies from show to show. And if the show should ever, ever come to America, Collins is interested in doing the U.S. show because he wants to drive in NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Then again, who knows? Maybe I am the Stig ... heh heh heh....

-- Dan Neil

Photo: BBC

Gumball 3000 Rally: 'Knight Rider' car breaks down in Hollywood

The arrival of the badly bruised "Knight Rider" car on Hollywood Boulevard on Saturday night seemed to highlight the sad reality facing Generation Xers: We're all getting older.

"What's wrong with KITT?" asked one concerned thirtysomething passerby as a group of people were pushing TV's legendary 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

The car had broken down when it was coming off the highway into Hollywood, said George Fechter, one of three KITT drivers on the Gumball 3000 Rally. About 25 men, including street performers dressed as King Kong and Iron Man, pushed the car about three miles from the offramp, Fechter said.

Many had expected "Knight Rider" star David Hasselhoff to be at KITT's helm. As a crowd of photographers and reporters quietly waited for his arrival, one Gumball media relations representative said excitedly, "You must keep calm. The Hoff is almost here, but you must keep calm!" He seemed more excited than we were.

But when Hasselhoff finally rolled up in his Audi R8 to cheers and flashbulbs (shown in the video), he said the unexpected change was because "that is the old; this is the new." Fechter said Hasselhoff had intended to make his appearance behind the wheel of KITT but remained in his R8 because he didn't want to hold up the ceremony while waiting for the car to arrive.

'Top Gear USA': Adam Corolla and pilot studio audience spill the beans

Worst-kept secret No. 749. Although not yet formally announced, NBC reportedly is creating an American version of the BBC's popular "Top Gear" automotive TV show. Last week, a pilot was shot in front of a studio audience and many audience members, who each signed nondisclosure statements, along with the host, comedian Adam Corolla, are spilling the beans on the cast and format all over the auto blogosphere.

They’ve just unplugged the last light and thrown the remaining paper coffee cups into the trash after filming "Top Gear USA: The Pilot." The presenting team are Carolla (providing the jokes), racing driver Tanner Foust and "TV construction guru" Eric Stromer, who should raise a female pulse or two.

Following the format from the successful BBC series, NBC’s version even has the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment. Every week, a different celebrity will drive the same vehicle (in this case, a Kia Rio) on the same test track and have their times posted on a board. For the pilot episode, the star was none other than David Hasselhoff. By all accounts, he delivered a great interview and his name will be at the top of the leader board for at least one week.

So, who would you like to see driving the reasonably priced car in an attempt to wrest the Hoff from his top spot? I think Frankie Muniz from "Malcolm in the Middle" should be a contender, because he’s already competed in the Pro-Celebrity Race at the Long Beach Grand Prix. So has "Grey’s Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey. I’m sure you could come up with some others.

-- Colin Ryan

Photos: NBC, Kia

Vintage racing on the Net

"It's a Wonderful Life." "Miracle on 34th Street." Tired of the usual holiday season reruns? From now until New Year's Eve, www.auto-history.tv is running a wealth of vintage auto racing footage, featuring legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and Craig Breedlove. For free, with no subscription.

The inaugural Watkins Glen Grand Prix from 1948, the Pikes Peak hill climb of 1934, the Indy 500 from 1966 -- these are just some of the many items from a century of motor-sport films. Also included is the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup event, which could well be the first film of an international road race.

At the very least, it sure makes for a nice change from watching someone burn himself by taking an ax to a can of WD-40 on YouTube.

-- Colin Ryan