Getting Personal

                Unwrapping the Mystery - as we get personal with the Stig
            
                Have you ever wondered about the mysterious identity of the Stig? This legendary masked racing driver from the long-running series Top Gear is known for his performance behind the wheel of a car, but very little else. He never speaks; he never takes off his helmet. The only thing that is really known about this truly mysterious character is that he is probably one of the show's television presenters.

For those who haven't got the faintest idea what is going on, it's a good idea to recap and go over the history of this legendary and gifted figure. The name of this shadowy character reportedly comes from the school days of presenter Jeremy Clarkson and, in his first incarnation, the Stig appeared totally in black: black overalls, black helmet and totally unidentifiably. Not one single thing was personalised in a way that would have given away his identity.

The Stig has also appeared as a white figure, dressed again in overalls and a helmet to mask his identity. This character has done far more than just drive cars as part of Top Gear's Power Lap part of the show, but again, we don't know who he is as nothing is given away. In on of his exploits, the masked driver actually got to ride around London and, as part of the challenge, he had to ride a bus, answer a phone and even use an Oyster Card. The Stig has also appeared in other Top Gear slots, such as those entitled Heaven and Hell and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Clearly, this unknown individual is a man with a gift.

Interestingly, the Stig has also made a number of television cameo appearances and fans of Top Gear may well remember that during the third episode of series nine - you know the one; it's the show where the presenters take a bit of a holiday and drive a selection of US-branded cars across a total of four states. Well, it was during this episode that Big Stig was introduced - he's apparently the Stig's cousin from the US. He appeared in episode four of series ten as well; dubbed the Stig's African cousin; he took part in a performance test of three different cars in Botswana dressed in an outfit that left very little to the imagination - except, of course, for his identity.

Wouldn't it be truly amazing to discover the man behind the mask? To know person behind the driver of such classic cars as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, or the BMW M6? Maybe you even know someone who would love to be this character and wouldn't it be amazing if evidence could be produced to show that the man in your life - a friend, family member, or even a loved-one - was in fact this driving super-hero?

If this is indeed the case, then why not treat that person to a personalised Top Gear 'The Stig' poster? Available in either dashing red or daring yellow, these amazing personalised gifts can be adorned with any name you choose, and confirm - without any shadow of a doubt - the identity of the Stig. Measuring approximately 297 mm x 420 mm and framed in black, this poster is an actual reproduction of the famous Top Gear magazine picture and is surely sufficient proof for anyone? One poster depicts the Stig striking a dramatic pose, arms crossed and looking the business, while the other sees him looking relaxed - post-race perhaps - reclining in the seat of his car.

Whichever personalised gifts posters you choose though, just make sure the person you're buying for doesn't get hold of some of the Stig's choices of in-car listening. Fans of Top Gear will probably already know some of the Stig's drive-time choices, and while language training courses are perfectly fine - so long as he keeps his eyes on the road - selections of power ballads and the odd easy listening track are altogether a little bit more questionable. Or maybe this is your kind of music too? If, to paraphrase that great drive-time artist Meatloaf - you would do anything for love, so you would do that, why not ride shotgun with the man you've outed as the Stig, sit back, press play and enjoy the ride. Just make sure he doesn't speed like a Bat out of Hell - otherwise it might be wise to stick to the French tapes instead.