Among the changes for season 2 of the popular Amazon show, “The Grand Tour” was the replacement of the “team racing driver” although due to BBC restrictions they couldn’t actually be called that.

Once a mysterious figure known as the “Stig”, the professional racing driver is used to test out cars on the track (now known as the Ebola Drome). In the first season of the Grand Tour the driver was known as “The American”. That American was NASCAR champion Mike Skinner who fit all the stereotypes Americans are known for and played to that, often making fun of the British and their ways.

Sadly, at least for some, the lack of popularity of the American waned and he was not brought back for the second season.

That left the production needing a driver. James May hinted prior to the season that the new driver was a woman; but no names were mentioned. Not even during her first appearance was her name even mentioned. Instead Jeremy Clarkson almost unceremoniously introduced the segment with no mention of who viewers would actually be seeing behind the wheel.

“We needed a replacement. We needed a new driver,” he told viewers. “We spent the last nine months auditioning everyone we could think of—former F1 drivers, rally drivers, stunt drivers, test drivers—until we ended up with the fastest. And here she is.”

That ‘she’ is Abbie Eaton a 25 year old a racer, racing instructor and driving coach.

One of the drivers who didn’t audition is Christina Nielsen, also 25. Nielsen’s racing resume is just as extensive as Eatons, and includes an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar championship which she won in 2016.

While at Daytona International Speedway Friday during a break in testing as teams prepare for the season opening Rolex 24 in a few short weeks, the Danish driver said she’s fan of the show, but was not contacted for a chance to try out as the new driver.

“I kind of wish I was,” she said smiling. “If it wasn’t me, then I’m happy it was Abbie.”

“I think she’s a great choice,” Nielsen added. “I hope it will help her career.”

Had she been contacted however, it’s doubtful that Nielsen would have accepted the offer to even try out.

“I’ve had my main focus over here in America,” she said. “Been racing in IMSA, this is the fourth season, so three years. And I’m happy to be back; for me this is the best place to be racing. And even though the Grand Tour would be fun to do, I’m a racer at heart and I want to be in competition, I want to be racing and IMSA is the perfect place for me to do it.”

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