35 Facts About Ben Collins

Early Life and Education

Ben Collins' journey began in Bristol, England, but his early years were split between two continents.

1. Early Life: Born in Bristol, England, Collins spent the first ten years of his life in California, USA, where his father worked for a distribution company.
2. Education: Collins attended Blundell's School and later studied law at the University of Exeter.

Military Service and Racing Career

Before diving into the world of motorsport, Collins served his country and honed his driving skills in the military.

3. Military Service: After completing his education, Collins served in the British Army for around four years, during which he was a Special Forces driving instructor.
4. Racing Career: Collins began his racing career in 1994, competing in various motorsport events. He finished third overall in the Formula Vauxhall Junior series in 1995 with two wins and eight podiums.
5. Formula Opel Winter Series: Collins also competed in the Formula Opel Winter Series, placing second overall under the guidance of Sir Jackie Stewart.
6. Formula Vauxhall: In the following season, Collins competed briefly in Formula Vauxhall for Martin Donnelly, scoring a 2nd-place finish in the opening round at Donington Park. Martin Donnelly described Collins as an "aggressive driver with phenomenal natural speed".

Television and Media Presence

Collins' charisma and expertise made him a natural fit for television, where he became a familiar face.

7. World Record: Collins holds a world record for driving a car on two wheels, a maneuver known as "skiing".
8. Television Work: Collins presented the television program Xtreme Teen Drivers on BBC Three in 2007, where he acted as an advanced driving instructor trying to teach a young boy racer to drive more safely.
9. Top Gear: Collins appeared on the BBC television program Top Gear Special, '50 Years of Bond Cars,' wearing a T-shirt that read "I AM THE STIG." Richard Hammond reacted by saying, "Nice T-shirt by the way," to which Collins replied, "I need to update that a bit," pointing to the word "AM," to which Hammond exclaimed, "Was." After hearing about some of what Collins had been doing for the film, Hammond remarked, "You should write a book".
10. Fifth Gear: Collins joined the presenting staff of Channel 5's Fifth Gear in Series 18, participating in racing challenges on several occasions. He did not return to the cast for Series 19.
11. Clarkson, Hammond & May Live: Following his departure from Top Gear, Collins appeared in the "Clarkson, Hammond & May Live" touring show, where he served as a racing driver in a pre-recorded segment. He was introduced by Jeremy Clarkson, who joked that Collins was "living rough" in a racing track paddock, shown sleeping on cardboard with a shopping trolley containing books and Daniel Craig face cutouts for his possessions. Collins' role was identical to his previous one as The Stig, except he wore an open-face helmet and was referred to as "The Ben Collins" by Clarkson.

Author and Consultant

Beyond driving and television, Collins has also made a mark as an author and consultant.

12. Book Author: Collins has written two books: How To Drive: The Ultimate Guide, from the Man Who Was The Stig, published in 2014, and another book on driving.
13. Project CARS: Collins served as a consultant during the development of Project CARS and Project CARS 2.

Stunt Driving and Film Work

Collins' driving skills have been showcased in numerous blockbuster films, making him a sought-after stunt driver.

14. Stunt Driving Career: Collins started his career as a stunt driver in National Treasure: Book of Secrets in 2007. He went on to work on multiple films for the James Bond franchise and other blockbusters, including The Dark Knight Rises, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Jack Ryan, and Mission Impossible.
15. Dual Role in Films: Collins had a dual role as a stunt driver and actor in Ford v Ferrari / Le Mans '66, playing Denny Hulme. He also played Stirling Moss in the 2023 film Ferrari.

Online Presence and Community Involvement

Collins continues to engage with fans and the community through various online platforms and activities.

16. DriveTribe Co-host: Since 2022, Collins has served as co-host of the DriveTribe YouTube channel alongside main hosts Mike Fernie, Richard Hammond, and his daughter, Izzy Hammond.
17. YouTube Channels: Collins runs two YouTube channels of his own: Ben Collins Drives and Ben Collins Gaming. The former is an automotive channel, while the latter focuses on sim racing.
18. Personal Life: Collins currently lives in Bristol and is known for his talent as a pipe organist, playing at Cairns Road Baptist Church.
19. Brand Manager: Before his full-time involvement in racing and television, Collins worked as the brand manager of the Scalextric model slot car division for Hornby.
20. Racing Achievements: Collins' achievements in motorsport include multiple podiums and wins in various racing series, showcasing his natural speed and aggressive driving style.
21. Television Personality: Collins has been a prominent figure on British television, appearing in several popular shows including Top Gear, Fifth Gear, and Clarkson, Hammond & May Live.
22. Stunt Driving Skills: Collins' extensive experience as a stunt driver has allowed him to work on numerous high-profile films, often performing complex and dangerous stunts.
23. Consultant Work: His expertise in motorsport has been utilized as a consultant for video game development, particularly in the Project CARS series.
24. Community Involvement: Collins is involved in various community activities, including playing the pipe organ at Cairns Road Baptist Church in Bristol.

Journalism and Disinformation Coverage

Collins has also made significant contributions to journalism, particularly in the areas of disinformation and extremism.

25. Disinformation Coverage: Ben Collins has also made a name for himself in the field of journalism, particularly in covering disinformation and extremism. He currently works as a senior reporter for NBC News, focusing on these issues.
26. Report on Gaza Disinformation: In 2023, Collins faced criticism for failing to correct disinformation related to the Gaza conflict. This incident highlighted the challenges journalists face in combating false information.
27. Coverage of Extremism: Collins' work at NBC News involves extensive coverage of extremism and disinformation on social media platforms. He has been instrumental in uncovering and exposing false narratives that spread rapidly online.
28. Personal Experience with Misinformation: Collins' personal experience with misinformation began when his friend Chris Hurst was fatally shot while reporting on air in Virginia. Collins encountered numerous lies about Hurst and his girlfriend Allison Parker online, which he actively countered by contacting those spreading the falsehoods.
29. Journalistic Approach: Collins emphasizes the importance of approaching disinformation ethically and morally. He believes in highlighting how these false narratives hurt people to gain understanding and empathy from the audience.
30. Tools for Journalists: Collins notes that journalists today have more tools than ever before to combat disinformation. He advocates for vibrant and critical journalism that addresses the root causes of these issues.
31. Impact on Politics: Collins believes that the spread of disinformation has significantly impacted politics over the past decade. He argues that these false narratives can take over our information ecosystem and influence public opinion.
32. Collaboration with Colleagues: Collins works closely with colleagues like Christopher Mathias to cover disinformation, hate, and far-right extremism. Together, they aim to uncover the underlying factors driving these issues and expose them to the public.
33. Ethical Journalism: Collins stresses the importance of ethical journalism in addressing disinformation. He believes that journalists must work backward from moral and ethical principles to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable.
34. Public Engagement: Collins acknowledges that not all efforts to combat disinformation will reach those who stand to gain from spreading lies. However, he remains committed to his work, recognizing its value in mitigating the problems caused by false narratives.
35. Legacy in Journalism: Ben Collins' contributions to journalism extend beyond his work on disinformation. His diverse career in motorsport and television has provided a unique perspective that enriches his reporting on complex issues like extremism and misinformation.

Ben Collins: A Life in the Fast Lane

Ben Collins' journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days in Bristol and California to becoming a Special Forces driving instructor, his path has been diverse. His racing career, marked by podium finishes and a world record, showcases his natural speed and aggressive driving style. Collins' stint as The Stig on Top Gear and his work on Fifth Gear cemented his place in television history.

His transition to stunt driving brought him to Hollywood, where he performed in blockbuster films like The Dark Knight Rises and Ford v Ferrari. As a journalist, Collins tackles disinformation and extremism, bringing a unique perspective shaped by his varied experiences. Whether behind the wheel or in front of a camera, Ben Collins continues to captivate and inspire, proving that a life in the fast lane can be both thrilling and impactful.