360 Magazine Q&A with BFGoodrich (Auto)

BFGoodrich Social Handles

Andrew Comrie-Picard Social Handles

360 Magazine Q&A with BFGoodrich Performance team member Andrew Comrie-Picard

Tell me about your background as a stunt driver…your most notable movies/shows etc.? Anything new and exciting coming up?

For four years on Top Gear USA, I did most of the exotic car precision driving, which means I got to drive all the best supercars in anger. So much better than a real job! I drove an Aston Martin Vantage V12 wide open drifting on a dry lakebed, Lamborghini Aventador SV-670 in a bullring, Mercedes AMG SLS sideways between airport hangers. These are the things stunt guys dream of and I got to do all of them. I’ve done a number of features but probably the most exciting is “Atomic Blonde” which is out in theatres July 28. Any film has a huge team of people making it possible, but I was lucky to work with the hero, Charlize Theron. I’m also hosting a new car build/stunt show on Discovery Channel airing April 17 at 10pm called “Car Saviors.” We put a 600hp Hemi in a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and I drift it with VIPs in the back seat…Did I mention this is better than a real job?

Why do you think stunt drive/car movies are so popular?

Not everyone jumps off buildings or gets into technical MMA fights but everyone (more or less) can drive. I think the car stunts seem closer to reality. It’s not like everyone thinks they could do that insane drift or that big jump, but it’s the same steering wheel and pedals for everyone. If that guy can do it… hold my beer.

Top things we can do to upgrade our vehicles to access timely performance like stunt pro drivers such as yourself (safely)?

Stunt people are cowboys for sure, but we’re always trying to control whatever we can to ensure safety. Equipment is crucial. The most important piece of equipment on a car is the tires. Any time we set up a gag on a film we’re thinking about the type of tire, the pressure we’re running it at and how it’s going to behave. For a long time I have only used BFGoodrich tires whenever I can. The Rolls Royce on “Car Saviors” has a set of BFGoodrich g-force™ Sport Comp-2™ tires on it. I know BFGoodrich tires not only have a super high level of grip but that they are predictable on the limit. We call the way a tire communicates at the limit its “progressivity” and BFGoodrich is better than anyone there. The new Advantage T/A® Sport and g-Force™ Comp-2™ A/S are both amazing for handling any conditions with total predictability.

What are you top 3 favorite stunt/car movies of all time?

What a great question. For raw car stunts, you can’t beat Frankenheimer directing “Ronin.” The opposing traffic stuff wasn’t choreographed, it was just happening. I later got to work with Jean Reno and it blew my mind. I have a real weakness for the campy and European stuff, so the original 1998 Luc Besson “Taxi” and the original 2002 “The Transporter” with Jason Statham are awesome. For American films, the first “Fast and the Furious” directed by Rob Cohen still holds up, and I worked with Rob later too. By far the best car movie of all time is the 1966 “Grand Prix”, also directed by Frankenheimer whom I wish I could have met. Today, I think David Leitch is one of the most exciting action directors, since he comes from stunt work himself (“John Wick”) and he directs the upcoming “Atomic Blonde.” So I’m going to say “Atomic Blonde,” since I worked on that!

What’s in your garage now?

It’s a riot in there. I have a 1967 MGB, 1967 MG Midget, 1972 Jaguar E-Type, 1982 Porsche 928, 2013 VW GTI, and the jewel in the crown, the “widowmaker” 1982 Porsche 930 Turbo, a real icon. All have BFGoodrich tires holding on to the ground.