PMN Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 So here's the story : We had some official streetracing event here in Warsaw/Poland. Many great cars, Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches, also classics and race cars. The main attraction of event was a visit of a famous Stig from Top Gear - who revealed he's identity as Ben Collins. The producers of event prepared race edition Audi R8 for him. He made a lap in front of 85 000 spectators, and came back to pit. Producers were surprised what happened. Later they told me, he said he don't like the R8 somehow. But... he saw a nice white GT500 parked in pits. He asked producers to find an owner and ask him if he could borrow his car. I am the owner... So, within next few minutes I was with my car at start line passing keys to Stig, who asked me to ride with him (!). Hell, he's a genius behind the wheel! After first set of rear tires and first of two show passes, he asked if he can drive it again. I replied that there are so many other great cars here he might want to drive - "why?" he said. "This one's perfect" - smiled. Later on, Jamiroquai appeared at the event driving his Porsche 914. After that, he jumped to my Shelby and drove with Stig Man, that Was a day! After that, in a TV interview Stig said this is one of his favourite cars, and this exact one is really great BTW. check out his twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BenCollinsDrive Pics and videos here: Watch from 1.35: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunedindon#5481 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Wow! That's amazing. What an honor to have your car singled out by someone who has experienced so many of the great cars the world has to offer. Very impressive. Did he scare the you know what out of you during the drive. I'm amazed that he has that high of an opinion of the Shelby. Makes me like mine even more. Great story and thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YZD263 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 This is really an amazing story! I watch Top Gear once in awhile and this guy sure can drive. That he chose to drive your Shelby over some expensive exotics is absolutely great! This must have been quite an experience for you. Congrats and thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraCrazy Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 What a cool experience--thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whammer Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Great story! Now (maybe) people will stop being so critical of these cars. These Shelby's are very capable performers. They might not be Supercars but they were never intended to be. Perhaps some people just need to develop better driving skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastPhil Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Awesome!! Congrats, that experience will stay with you forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1badsho Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 that is too cool .... have someone like that take your car through the turns on a prof track .... how neat is that !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY500SS Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 What a cool story.............thanks for sharing. The Stig likes Muscle Cars.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brisk_tea Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 congrats, that is definitely cool... so did they replace your tires? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stkjock Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Awesome story man, congrats, definitively a life time memory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nele22 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 That is great! I have watched the GT500 review on Top Gear many times. They did not speak to highly of it then and even said that Stig lapped better in the 427R. Nice to see the truth come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporDude Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 That is great! I have watched the GT500 review on Top Gear many times. They did not speak to highly of it then and even said that Stig lapped better in the 427R. Nice to see the truth come out. Was that the British version or American version? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YZD263 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Was that the British version or American version? I guess the prevouis poster refers to this comparison between the Roush and the Shelby by Jeremy Clarkson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J&DGT500 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 What an awesome story and truly incredible praise from a living legend, memories you will cherish forever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nele22 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 I guess the prevouis poster refers to this comparison between the Roush and the Shelby by Jeremy Clarkson. This one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imatk Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 HAH Awesome story man Yeah funny that they pretty much bash everything that's made in America on that show (or at least Clarkson does) and the Stig chooses the Shelby over everything else... HAH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YZD263 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 HAH Awesome story man Yeah funny that they pretty much bash everything that's made in America on that show (or at least Clarkson does) and the Stig chooses the Shelby over everything else... HAH! British car shows tend to stereotype american cars a lot as being unrefined compared with the europeans. Here is another exemple http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYultfMHT3Y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcobra Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 This is a great story! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94cobrapace Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Cool story. Makes you proud and something you will not forget. How was the ride? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMN Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Beyond everything else, he's just a cool, nice guy. Or rather, same as he called me "a fine gentleman" After half of lap, he asked what mods I did to this car, cause he feels it handles better (billet control arms), and accelerates way cooler. He remembered that GT500 he drove was a very good car,but in his opinion -Roush handled better. With basic mods like mine he said this one may handle better than Roush... But he adviced me to look for better brakes and stiffer suspension if I'm going to drive on track. On the road it's enough. I've talked to him about this unfortunate TopGear with GT500, I explained to him,that early production Shelbys had problems with faulty air filter which ended with low HP numbers (see Edmunds material). He said,that after this day GT500 is definitely one of his favourites car I also asked about Ford GT which, till that day, was my next car to buy. He spoke badly about it. Said it looks good,but doesn't handle well, and brakes a lot... Better buy '11 GT500, he said... The ride was great! He has so much control over the car. He drives it just like he'd use it every day on the track. With ease and confidence. Driving with someone who drove hard almost (or every!) sports, exotic and exclusive car on earth, and hearing nice things about yours is... I just won't ever forget about it I'm so honored and proud about it... Also, I have his autograph wit dedication on the dashboard,and in his book -will post it later (now I'm typing via phone). So many great things! Thank you all for nice words! It's feels good to share this experience with you, and have so nice feedback After all, a Legend spoke highly about all of our cars ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nele22 Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 HE AUTOGRAPHED YOUR DASH???? You sir are one lucky man!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imatk Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 That's so awesome to hear HAH he even likes it better than a Ford GT!! I just keep feeling better and better about my car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBoyBato Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 My first post! Awesome story man. I just got my 08 GT500 last weekend, and I'm tempted to copy your mods, lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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