America's very own version of Top Gear is set to hit airwaves for its second season. A new round of hijinks on the History Channel begins July 24. Seeing as the Top Gear Test Track sits just 15 minutes from your author's house, we thought it might be nice to pop in and pay the guys a visit. We wound up getting more than we bargained for, however, because The Stig was also on set... armed with the keys to a Lotus Evora S.

"Shotgun!"

The hosts could wait, because we had a date with a man/woman/robot known as The Stig. The Top Gear Test Track was clear, our butts were belted into the passenger seat and a solitary thumbs up from the man in white was our clue that this was go time.

Keep reading to learn more about our lap, and the upcoming season of Top Gear.

The Top Gear Test Track is located on the grounds of the now-defunct El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Irvine, California. Nearly 20 bends separated us from making a round-trip run back to the Start/Finish line. It would be a quick trip, but an amazing one nonetheless.

What's it like riding side-saddle to The Stig? In a word, HOLYCRAPTHESTIGISAMAZING. (Does that count as one word if we don't use spaces?). Still, let's take a moment to distill that wonderful word we just cobbled together. On our journey together, the Stig pushed the Lotus Evora S as hard as he could. Steady hands worked to provoke a dab of oppo when required, and quick feet worked all three pedals like a kung-fu master forced to defend his temple. It was fast, furious and... a type of awesome that can't be described in front of the kids.

The being beneath the white suit and helmet is an expert at making a car go fast without hitting things. That's a fact we appreciated even more as our eyes fought physics to glance at the speedo. The needle crept toward 120 miles per hour in the fastest section, which wasn't a straight mind you.....