Tanner Foust is a renowned stunt driver and X-Games rally gold medallist who’s also done the business at Pikes Peak and in international ice racing championships. Not only that, he beat Jenson Button during 2008’s Race of Champions.
What’s in your garage?
I’ve got a 2004 BMW M3, a 1976 Porsche 912E – possibly the slowest Porsche ever built – a supercharged Toyota Tundra and a Ducati. I’ve also got my eye out for a Porsche 993 Turbo.
What’s the fastest you’ve ever driven?
The fastest I’ve ever driven was in a turbocharged Ford GT in a standing mile. I did 223mph!
Who or what caused your worst car crash?
My ego caused my worst car crash, which was driving a rally car off a 30-foot cliff and lawn-darting it into the neighbouring hillside. We were leading the rally with one stage left and I didn’t need to push that hard.
What’s your dream car?
That’s like asking who your dream girl is, but I think it’s the Techart Porsche GT Street RS. Half-a-million dollars of girl-next-door meets Le Mans race car.
What was the first car you owned?
The first car I actually owned was a brown 1983 Honda Civic wagon. I rolled it and turned it into a fastback.
What car do you hate most in all the world?
Pontiac Aztec, in deep bronze.
Why film an American version of Top Gear?
Not a lot of people in the States are familiar with the British series and it makes sense to take a successful format of a great show and apply it to the American culture and see what happens… blah, blah, blah. I just want to do cool stuff with cars!
How is Top Gear US going to be different to the UK version?
For one, we have a presenter who is officially an expert in NASCAR (Rutledge).
What’s your favourite thing that Top Gear has ever done?
I liked Clarkson’s review of the Fiesta. Storming the beach was epic.
Who’s your favourite presenter from the three guys in the UK?
Hammond.
What will be your definition of success for Top Gear US?
If the hosts make it through season one with all limbs intact, I think we’ll be celebrating.
The American version of Top Gear is on History in the US this autumn
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
912e commented on this article
Tuesday December 7, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Our whole family loves the show. Especially our 12 year old who isn’t a wuss about language. Tanner driving the Mitsubishi Evo through the Snow was phenomenal. My wife likes Tanner but I am secure, so no worries.
Plus Tanner has the great taste to own a Porsche 912e. (Tanner, you can register at 912registry.org, and there is a wealth of information at 912bbs.org if you ever need help or parts.)
Good luck TopGear. And for the rest of you viewers who have trifling issues with the show, why don’t you go watch guys sitting around talking all evening on Speed, or bikers arguing with themselves on Discovery?
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Fat Guy commented on this article
Monday February 21, 2011 at 10:38 am
Jesus, lots of hate on here. Don’t listen too them Tanner. Your doing what I’ve dream’t of doing since i bought my first car; Driving all sorts of cars at whatever speed you want doing all sorts of ridiculous things. Best job i could think of, keep up the good work.
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3bayjunkie commented on this article
Friday May 20, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Sadly the presenters have tried, and failed at duplicating Top Gears apeal. They should have come up with their own car show idea. The presenters on the US Top Gear are not entertaining at all. The jokes aren’t funny. And their personalities are not right for the show. I would never have guessed that any of them had any experience on television before. I watched the entire first season and it was mind numbingly boring. Don’t waist your time making another season. Do your own thing and don’t try to replicate a show that can be compared to teh original.
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true car guy commented on this article
Tuesday June 21, 2011 at 9:03 pm
come on they cant even do the show right they all suck i mean u dont even have a imagiantion to do the show n make and state fact u 3 should b fired
i have quit watchn ur show the top gear in great britian is the best show in the world do the 3 american top gear know how to even change a tire yall disscrace the name car, exotics, any vehicle so they need to find some else
any one tha has a passion a true pasion so all in id fire all 3 of u
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X1 commented on this article
Thursday July 21, 2011 at 8:59 am
Attention mouth breathers. In case you haven’t noticed, Top Gear America has failed itself straight into a second season.
Gee. It just goes to show that the TopGear nerds huddled over their computers in mother’s basement represent an insignificant virgin portion of the Top Gear America audience.
They don’t know anything about cars! Right.
Besides jumping a truck 332 feet and not putting himself into a (cough) coma, let’s take a look a Tanner Foust’s CV:
* Multiple X-Games medallist in rally racing, including two golds in 2010
* Two-time Formula Drift National Champion (2007 & 2008)
* Five-time Ice Racing Series Champion
* Record holder for highest qualifying score in both Formula D and D1 history
* 2005 Production GT National Rally Champion
* Lead stunt driver in several films, including the “Fast and Furious” series
The Race of Champions Highlights
* Years contested: 2008, 2009, 2010
* 2009: ROC Nations Cup semi-finalist for Team USA with Travis Pastrana
* 2008: Quarter-finalist on debut in The Race of Champions
Oh, yeah. Among others, Foust beat Jensen Button in the 2008 ROC.
I think the TG UK “presenters” should challenge the TG USA hosts. Any place, any cars, any time. All the presenters and both Stig and American Stig.
It’s time to kick some pompous Brit arse.
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Tyler commented on this article
Sunday August 21, 2011 at 1:38 am
Don’t listen to them! Top Gear USA is the best an that is it. I absolutely hate the English top gear.
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William commented on this article
Monday November 7, 2011 at 8:39 am
I actually really enjoy the show, yes it doesn’t have the brit crew, it won’t have the same feel to it clearly. I don’t understand all the pointless hate toward the US version, just don’t watch it if you hate it so much, it isn’t going to hurt you haha.
I hope they keep making the US topgear and I’ll keep watching the UK one too.
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