IamA Tanner Foust--Global Rallycross driver and host of Top Gear on HISTORY - Ask Me Anything!

What is your favorite movie and why is it Tokyo Drift?

Tokyo Drift was 60 days of tire-smoking fun!

Any chance of there being a British Top Gear vs American Top Gear episode?

I just raced James May in Barbados--granted, he was in a tractor, but a race is a race...

Hi Tanner,

When are you in the UK next and would you like to pop in and have a play of the next DiRT game?

(we miss you, DiRT 2 rocked!)

Lots of Love Lee from Codemasters

Haha, I'd love to, but my next trip is to Finland!

Why don't you guys review cars anymore on Top Gear?

You don't like learning about the Merkur XR4TI??

Who would win a rally stage?

• Rutledge Wood driving with you as the co-driver.
• James May driving with former Stig Ben Collins as the co-driver.

Who would win a fashion contest?

• Jeremy Clarkson
• Rutledge Wood

Rutledge on both counts, unless we're talking 1980's Jeremy Clarckson

Hey tanner, what are some of your favorite personal cars? Do you have a collection?

Always been a Porsche 911 fan, but I'm more and more impressed with the VW lineup

There are still tire marks from you hooning around the parking garage where I work. http://imgur.com/V9oXdvz.jpg

That said, what's your favorite circuit to race at?

Haha that's awesome. I know it's cliche, but Nurburgring is special

Thanks for doing this AMA, I enjoy watching you race in Rallycross. My question is, where do you see the future of Rallycross heading? Do you see it ever becoming as big as nascar or f1? I think it can have some of the most exciting races in auto racing.

I'm not sure rallycross is as mainstream as NASCAR or F1, but worldwide, it could eclipse NASCAR

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I'd just like to see Rutledge duck-sized, so that one

Any chance you'll ever return to stage rally racing?

I still do some stage rallying, but my racing focus right now is on global rallycross

What is the one technique new drivers should learn as soon as they get their license?

Self-Control!

I am looking to take a car control class. Do you recommend any? I know about O'Neil but its kind of far and expensive (from Midwest). I'd like to be able to enter some rally races at some point.

I like the ice driving school in Steamboat for discipline.

Hi Tanner! I'm a huge fan! My husband and I watch Top Gear religiously every week! I have a couple questions for you.

Do you, Adam and Rutledge continue to talk outside filming the show?

Do you enjoy doing stunt driving or rally racing more?

What is your all time dream vehicle to own?

Thanks and we hope to have you back in Pennsylvania sometime soon!

We're good friends, so yeah we talk.

I like rallycross a lot right now. It's great to be in a competitive car and have the chance to go out an win every race

I ran into Rut & Adam at the Detroit International Auto Show in January. Two things I noticed: You weren't with them so I don't have the TGUSA complete set. And Rutledge smelled really good. Like, way better than a bearded dude from the South has any right smelling. Is that typical for Rut or did he fancy himself up for his trip to the D?

Any trip to Detroit calls for some fancying up

Tanner! You are the only reason I kind of enjoy american top gear, but what I really want to know is have you ever met Jeremy Clarkson?

Yep, I've met the Jezzah!

The first time I ever saw you was on TV when you got the Guinness world record for most cheese grated with a car. Do you still hold that record?

As far as I know... open to challengers!

Hey Tanner, big fan. Two questions:

Who is the Stig?

Your thoughts on Travis Pastrana (as a racer and as an entertainer)?

Maybe Travis is the Stig???

What happens to the cars you guys purchase/mod/wreck after on Top Gear? do you guys get to keep the cars if you decide to?

No, they generally go back to where they came from

Me and my wife have been arguing this for years and I was hoping you could settle this for me; who's the better driver, me or her?

This is a dangerous argument to enter into...

Hey Tanner! I just wanted to say I am such a big fan. I only have one question. What is your favorite type of racing that you do? Thanks for doing this AMA! :)

I loved driving the F12 but this season we went to Nurburgring...

I love rallycross, but I do really miss road racing and drifting

How did you get in to racing and drifting? Also, do you own any cool cars?

Started as an ice driving instructor. Drove anything I could get my hands on!

My girlfriend and I have enjoyed Top Gear (US) since it started -- it actually took a while to get her to actually try the BBC version, she enjoyed it so much. Because she hadn't seen any of the UK, I think our immediate blink reaction to the first season or two was very different. They seemed to be, in terms of presentation, style, challenges, etc, a very close knock-off (if enjoyable one) to the BBC show.

The last season, and this one, seem to have finally let that go and have been much better, as good as the first seasons were.

Is that something that was deliberately done, both the "cloning" of the UK early on and the more recent branching out?

Okay, a second question -- the chemistry between the three of you has really gotten much better and funnier. Is that just better on-screen comfort as a result of having done it for a while, or is there a camaraderie between you three that exists when the show isn't shooting?

Thanks for the kind words. We're friends so that definitely helps when you're filming all day together. We like to take inspiration from Top Gear UK, but stand on our own too.

Any advice on dealing with nerves before a big event ?

Don't worry about the result; focus on your technique and the results will follow

Hi Tanner! You seem so fearless behind the wheel. Was there ever a time where you just noped out of a stunt because you thought it was too crazy to try?

We go over everything in great detail before I actually get in the car, so I feel pretty good before most stunts

Who wins in a rallycross race you, or the Stig?

Me

Thinking of getting an M3 in the future, dual-clutch transmission w/paddles or classic manual?

WWTFD?

Classic Manual

Hello Mr. Foust, thanks for doing an AMA! I have a few questions:

1. How is development of the Beetles going for GRC?
2. When do you think GRC will build dedicated tracks in the U.S., if ever?
3. How much involvement do you have in the Top Gear creative process, such as pitching ideas for episodes, etc?

We're unveiling the race Beetle this Sunday at Volkswagen Rallycross DC, but not racing it yet!

Part of the cool thing about GRC is that we get to go race in urban environments and bring racing to the people. For example we're just a few minutes from the white house in DC and I think that's really special

Sweet driving at the Top Gear festival in Barbados! Did you enjoy your time down there?

Barbados isn't a terrible place for a racetrack...

Hey Tanner, have you ever drove away from the cops? And if you have, what car were you driving?

*I'm not a cop

never ever

Highest horsepower car you've driven?

not enough horsepower

Hey Tanner, Thanks for doing the AMA. How would one get into novice rally racing?

Find where they do it locally and go check out an event. Everyone's happy to talk to you about it and give you advice on how to get started.

Hey. Thanks for doing this. How is your house build going?

"almost" done

Tanner,

Can you tell us how you started racing?

Do you have any advice for people who want to get into racing/want to get good at racing?

Thanks for doing an AMA!

Everyone gets in so young right now, karting is the way to go!

I got into it driving anything I could get my hands one. Started as a ice driving instructor at Steamboat and kept with it long enough to make it my living

How is it balancing rally and being the host of Top Gear?

It's a busy life, but I'm doing what I love, so can't complain!

Tanner, have you ever thought about coming to NASCAR? Has anyone in NASCAR ever contacted you about a potential ride? Has Rockstar ever talked to you about it? Thank you

Rockstar has a NASCAR team that's doing very well. I think it's great racing but not in the plans right now.

Are you friends with Adam and Rutledge outside of the show?

Yep

Best and worst crash?

BEST crash??

Hey Foust, love the show! I'm glad you guys do the cheap car challenges that TGUK seem to have forgotten.

My question is, any chance in looking at doing an autocross/solo course? It seems to be overlooked in racing circles.

Racing is racing, it's all fun

How did you get into racecar driving and how did that develop into what you are doing now? Any advice on making it into the place you are at now?

Just drive anything you can get your hands on. Learn how to speak well in front of media and sponsors. Never give up.

Hey, I'm hoping to one day make it as a professional racing driver, in either rally or rallycross. Any advice for me to get started or get sponsors? And do you ever plan on coming to Pikes Peak?

Just take every opportunity to get behind the wheel. Pikes Peak would be a lot of fun