CRC Speedshow have confirmed that one of their star guests for next month's motoring festival will be Perry McCarthy; 'The Stig', from the BBC's Top Gear.
McCarthy was the show's first 'Stig'; featuring across three series' and 22 episodes through 2002 and 2003 before getting 'killed off' by driving a modified Jaguar XJ-S off an aircraft carrier.
“I’ve never been [to New Zealand] before, but all that I hear from anyone that talks about NZ is that it’s the most beautiful place on the planet,” McCarthy told Driven.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to meet enough New Zealanders to think that they’re lovely people, so I’m just expecting a great friendly reception with loads of fun with like-minded people who all love their cars and action.”
The 57-year-old concealed his identity as The Stig until it was revealed in the media during 2003.
Prior to being part of Top Gear, McCarthy competed in Formula 1. He drove with the infamous Andrea Moda team in 1992, but was continually hampered by the team's lack of preparation or professionalism — a phase of his career that he explored later on in his book Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 the Hard Way.
He later was a Formula 1 test driver with Bennetton and Williams, while also driving at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of factory programs with Viper, Panoz, and Audi respectively before retiring from the motorsport circuit.
McCarthy will be speaking at Speedshow, as well as pushing cars to their limits at the event's live arena.
“Speedshow are so full of enthusiasm and passion, and that’s the thing that really attracted me to be part of it when they offered it to me. I thought ‘this looks like loads of fun’, and they want everyone else to have fun too.
“It’s quite an honour to be invited to New Zealand, and I hope everyone’s sufficiently interested in coming up and saying 'hi' while we’re there. There’s going to be lots going on, and those attending are going to have a really good day out.”
CRC Speedshow takes place across July 21–22.
Check out this Saturday's edition of Driven for our exclusive full interview with Perry McCarthy