Tiff Needell is something of a legend of motorsports. He brings his knowledge of what it's like to race at some of the most challenging motorsport events in the world to the shows he presents.
Getting information from an old pro is always going to be more trusted than a presenter who has no affiliation with cars, sorry Top Gear UK's Paddy McGuinness! That's why, whenever Needell was power sliding his way around a track, you believed he was pushing the car to its limits.
One thing is always clear whenever Needell is talking about cars, his passion for driving absolutely shines through. Needell could be driving a busted-up Bug and still find a way to get as much fun out of it as possible. Whatever the reason you love cars, Needell will find a way to tap into that and keep you interested in what he has to say.
He has had a long and storied career in the automotive industry, both as a racer and presenter, but now we're looking at what Tiff Needell is up to today.
Tiff Needell's Racing Record
His racing career began in the late 1970s with appearances at both F2 and F3 events. The British driver worked his way up through the ranks as a young racer to the pinnacle of motorsports in 1980.
Tiff Needell managed to grab a seat in a Formula One car for the Unipart Racing Team, where he entered two races, including the legendary Monaco Grand Prix. Although his Formula One racing career was short, just the 1980s season, his life in motorsports has been eventful.
The driver spent over 20 years behind the wheel of racing teams around the world, entering events like the World Endurance Championship and World Touring Car Championship. Needell has a few champagne moments to remember from his time on the track, thanks to getting some wins under his belt.
Tiff Needell's Presenting Career
His racing career earned Needell a presenting slot on Top Gear in 1987. He worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson during some of those years, and Needell believes his fellow presenter is an old pro. Needell explained to Lovecars that despite his approach to presenting, Clarkson really does know what he is talking about and he is a car enthusiast.
The racer-turned-presenter would set up camp on Top Gear for 14 years until it was canceled by the BBC in 2001, only to be reinstated in 2002. In an act of solidarity, the presenting crew of Top Gear jumped ship together and started their own driving show on another network.
That show would be Fifth Gear, and it ran as competition to Top Gear for well over a decade. For a long time, Needell co-presented Fifth Gear beside Mark Plato, Vicki Butler-Henderson, and Jonny Smith. While Clarkson and co. were focusing on trying to make each other look foolish on Top Gear, the presenters of Fifth Gear were more serious.
The gang stuck together for almost a decade before going their separate way and following new opportunities. In 2019 it was announced that Tiff Needell would also be leaving the show he helped present for 17 years. Needell candidly admitted that he wasn't invited to return to Fifth Gear by its organizers, which presented him with a new opportunity.
What Is Tiff Needell Up To Today?
Just like a racing driver booted from his team, Needell was looking for a new seat to call his own. The presenter is teaming up with YouTube personality Paul Woodman to front Lovecars: On the Road.
Needell has helped out Lovecars on its YouTube channel in the past and now it is stepping things up to bring a fully-fledged show to its audience. The Lovecars YouTube channel has been steadily growing its fanbase over the years thanks to its association with Needell and its range of car videos.
What Are The Best Cars He Drove?
With over 20 years as a racing driver and almost over 30 years as a car journalist, Needell has driven basically everything on four wheels. The presenter was asked on a Lovecars video which his favorite supercar was, and the presenting legend knew the answer immediately. He said the McLaren F1 is his favorite, but he only had the chance to drive it a few times in the past.
Needell said that another unusual car he enjoyed driving during his career was the BAC Mono. There is no doubt that Needell felt at home in the road car that has basically been built for the track.
When asked which cars he found most fun to drive, Needell immediately answered rear-wheel drive. Which we guess isn't a huge surprise considering how much he loves to slide around while driving.
Despite driving so many exotic cars in the past, Needell explained to Lovecars that the only car he drives at home is a 12-year-old BMW X5. He also added that he has a quad bike in his and the Formula Ford race car that he won a race in 1971. Needell bought the car back, and he races in classic events whenever he gets the opportunity.