Lord March denies being ‘The Stig’

Following wild speculation in the press over the last 24 hours about the true identity of ‘The Stig’, Lord March has today strongly denied that he is the mystery tame racing driver that races around the Top Gear track for the popular BBC TV programme, despite his fondness for occasionally zipping into his white racing overalls.

The Earl of March – patron of the UK’s most celebrated motor sport events – the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival – ­is an avid devotee of the cult BBC show, but strongly denies being The Stig, despite growing on-going website forum rumours.

Lord March is far too busy preparing for this year’s Festival of Speed (3-5 July) and Goodwood Revival (18-20 September) to make the weekly trek up to the Top Gear track to race around in supercars, preferring to drive a series of high-powered competition cars up his own driveway, the challenging Goodwood hillclimb.

Commenting on the recent rumours, the Earl of March says “I am very flattered that so many fellow petrol heads believe that I might be The Stig, but I am sorry to disappoint them. That said, I would relish the opportunity to drive a reasonably-priced car around the Top Gear track.”

Admission to both Goodwood motor sport events is by advance ticket only. Tickets and further information for the 2009 Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival can be ordered by registering on-line at the ‘My Goodwood’ section of the Goodwood website: goodwood.co.uk/motor sport/